Meditation 3
In reading Agamemnon, I noticed that there are many trends of backstabbing and revenge involved in Greek theatre. Even from just knowing the stories of Prometheus and the Gods and the Titans, all the gods seem to have gained their titles by overthrowing their Fathers for things they have done and in turn been overthrown for pain they have caused. Actually, the best example I can think of that relates to the revenge that is sought through avenging deaths and all the suffering that occurs because of the deaths is Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Hamlet is trying to avenge his father’s death, much like Clytemnestra is trying to avenge her daughter’s death. Both have come up with elaborate plans to reach their goal and end up hurting themselves in the end, Hamlet dies and Orestes is seeking Clytemnestra for revenge of his father’s death. This sort of story with revenge, murder and turning on family members occurs quite often throughout history. In reading other meditations there are several more examples, from the Bible and Chicago and so on; but the story of revenge is a very prevalent one through time. I believe that this sort of story is used over and over again because it is a very simple controversy to want revenge for pain caused to you- it is an easy story to rewrite and tell again and in many different ways.
posted by Ann @ 10:25 AM
3 Comments:
I really like your meditation and I think you have some nice insight. However, I think there are a few instances where your argument could be strengthened if you were to revise your wording. For example, in your first sentence I’m not sure you need to say “involved.” This word seems to complicate the meaning of the sentence. I think this is the same case with the beginning of the second sentence as well. The word choice is a little awkward to read. The second sentence has a lot of “juice” (good things to say). I like it so much that I think you might want to expand it. There seems to be just too much information in a single sentence. The third sentence is a little hard to follow. I think I understand what you are trying to say, but I think that if you were to reword it your ideas would be much clearer. I really like the comparison between Hamlet and Clytemnestra. However, perhaps you would make a stronger argument if you elaborated on how revenge is apparent in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. If you did this, I think you could draw a stronger parallel between the two characters. This elaboration would give you more time to establish and expose their similarities. In addition, I think your argument would be clearer if you divided your ideas in sentence five to form two different sentences. Also, I’m not quite sure the ending sentences of your meditation support your opening argument. I thought you were originally going to discuss revenge in theatre history. The end of your meditation seems to be referring to revenge in the history of society. Your diction in the last sentence I find a little ambiguous. What do you mean by controversy? I think it would be good to end your meditation with another sentence that clarifies your argument. With another conclusion sentence, you could really articulate the focus of your meditation and draw it to a close.
All in all, I think you have a nice comparison to show how revenge is prevalent in theatre throughout the ages.
I like your examples but I am not so convinced that Clytemnestra's motivations were sheerly avenging ones. Let us not forget that she has been getting it on with her husband's cousin. Also, she has been left alone during the war and may prefer this lifestyle to her marriage. I don't really feel as bad for her because she seems to be driven by lust and self-interest.
I agree with the fact that it is more often than not that families will turn on each other in Greek Tregedies. I have also noticed that, not to mention the murder and revenge part. But I think that Clytamenestra's murdering her husband was not mainly for her daighter's death. I think she hit her breaking point and couldn't stand the fact that he was with Cassondra while she was with his cousin. Strange twists and turns is all this is.
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