Introduction
The family has always played a critical role in the functioning and survival of communities. For this reason, the themes of interactions within families, ties, kinship, and marriage have always been popular in the literature. However, as with any art, literature evolved to reflect various values and conflicts peculiar to a specific period.
For instance, ancient Greek literature focused on representing the conflicts within families, such as murders, adultery, incest, and other relations typical for myths of that time. The relations between Agamemnon and Clytemnestra in Agamemnon and Oedipus and Jocasta in Oedipus Rex represent the themes peculiar to the literature of that era.
The Role of Family in Agamemnon
The play Agamemnon offers a dramatic story of the relationship between a wife and a husband. Returning as a winner from the siege of Troy, Agamemnon hopes to find peace, reunite with his wife, and rule the land. He is happy to be home after a long journey: “First, with justice, I salute my Argos and my gods” (Aeschylus, 1984, p. 133). The Watchman, Chorus, and Herald welcome him and, following the traditional gender roles, expect Agamemnon to carry the duties of a leader.
At the same time, Clytemnestra failed to perform the stereotypic gender role of a woman as she found a lover, “First, when a woman sits at home, and the man is gone, the loneliness is terrible, unconscionable…” (Aeschylus, 1984, p. 135). Contrary to the crowd’s expectations, Clytemnestra kills her husband and says, “My heart is steel, well you know. Praise me, blame me as you choose” (Aeschylus, 1984, p. 162). She disobeys the existing hierarchy and is ready to face the crowd’s anger.
The Role of Family in Oedipus Rex
The second play, Oedipus Rex, represents another type of relationship. The themes of incest and murder are central to the whole story. Oedipus wants to cure his land from a plague, not knowing that he is the murderer of his father and the husband of his mother. Initially, interactions within the family seem normal and follow traditional gender and hierarchy stereotypes. Oedipus feels comfortable being the head of the family: “Since I respect you, my wife, more than them” (Sophocles, 2011, p. 26).
At the same time, Jocasta accepts the traditional role of a woman as a man’s supporter, following the patriarchal stereotypes. However, discovering the awful events in the past destroys the family. Being sure that society will not forgive her, Jocasta commits suicide. Oedipus also realizes the inevitability of social condemnation, which makes him feel miserable and leave the city.
Conclusion
Altogether, the two discussed tragedies outline different types of family-oriented interactions. Agamemnon was a noble and recognized warrior and ruler who followed the traditional roles; however, Clytemnestra disobeyed the stereotypes and took her revenge. At the same time, Jocasta and Oedipus had a happy marriage until the incest and murder were discovered. It became a curse for their family and was destroyed by altering the heroes’ visions of themselves. The stories present different shades of family relations in ancient Greece and the complexity of feelings and emotions between people close to each other.
References
Aeschylus. (1984). The Oresteia: Agamemnon, the liberation bearers, the Eumenides (R. Fagles, Trans.). Penguin Classics.
Sophocles. (2011). Oedipus Rex. (J.E. Thomas, Trans.). Web.
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