Introduction
The Furies, also known as the Eumenides, have been a source of terror and terrorizing justice since the earliest days of Greek mythology. In the play “The Libation Bearers” and “The Eumenides”, the Furies are the driving force behind the action. The characters must find ways to placate their anger and revenge in both plays. In “The Libation Bearers,” the Furies are placated by the ritual of pouring out libations for the dead, in which Orestes pays tribute to his father’s memory and asks for the Furies’ forgiveness. In “The Eumenides,” the Furies are placated by Athena’s offer of a place in the pantheon of gods and a role in the justice system.
The Furies in “The Libation Bearers”
In “The Libation Bearers”, the Furies are placated by pouring out libations for the dead. Orestes honors the memory of his father, Agamemnon, by pouring out a libation of wine and asking for the Furies’ forgiveness for his act of revenge. Through the ritual, Orestes is able to find peace and acceptance in his actions. Orestes is also able to find a form of catharsis in this ritual, as it allows him to move on from his father’s death and accept his fate (Aeschylus, 2019). The ritual is also symbolic of Orestes’ acceptance of his father’s death and his own acceptance of responsibility for the act of revenge.
The Furies in “The Eumenides”
In “The Eumenides”, the Furies are appeased when Athena grants them a position among the gods and a role within the justice system. Athena recognizes the Furies’ importance in the justice system and their power to punish wrongdoers. Athena ensures their place in the justice system by making them gods and giving them the power to bring justice to the people (Aeschylus, 2019; Bloom, 2020). Athena additionally grants them a position among the gods, which is symbolic of her acceptance of them and her recognition of their importance in the justice system.
Conclusion
Although the methods used to placate the Furies are different in each play, they both ultimately lead to the same result—the Furies are appeased, and justice is served. Both plays demonstrate that revenge and anger can be placated by finding peace and acceptance in one’s actions and recognizing the importance of the Furies in the justice system.
References
Aeschylus, A. (2019). The Oresteia. Books on Demand.
Bloom, H. (Ed.). (2020). The Book of Job. Princeton University Press.
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