Same Difference

After studying Greek tragedies in high school and now in college, there are some common ties between all of them. Not just within the lineage of the Greek rulers, but also in the lives and happenings in each story. They begin with war, such as in The Iliad by Homer, and there is much death and suffering within the communities and the families of the soldiers. Much of the stories are told by the Chorus, who share characteristics of each character, and they give clues as to what might happen later in the play. There is mourning. In Agamemnon, the chorus is reminded of the sacrifice of Agamemnon’s daughter, and they mourn for the soldiers and Menelaus who are all lost at sea after their success in the war.
Another thing in common between the tragedies is the theme of jealousy. Clytemnestra is jealous of Cassandra, Agamemnon’s slave and concubine. Clytemnestra tries to be friendly, but fails in her attempt. Cassandra has a premonition, much like the other Greek Tragedies when one of the characters can see death, and, again, much like other tragedies, Cassandra has a premonition about a curse that has been laid upon the house of Agamemnon, and that he as well as she, will die. And sure enough, her predictions come true, and Clytemnestra has murdered both her husband and Cassandra.
In relation to other Greek tragedies, this play is very similar. There’s pride, jealousy, murder, death, premonitions, and confusion. Greek tragedies are all quite confusing, at least in my point of view!