Aeschylus' "Agamemnon" and Homer's "Odyssey"

Paper Summary:

This paper compares and contrasts the stories of two heroes returning from war, as expressed in Homer's Odyssey. The paper describes the differences in family life in the two stories. The paper explains that Agamemnon left for battle, sacrificing his daughter. As a result, Agamemnon's homecoming is a tragedy. His wife has been unfaithful and wants to avenge her daughter. By contrast, the paper explains, Odysseus goes through many trials and tribulations before he is able to return home. The author explains, though, that once he arrives at home, he finds a faithful wife with whom he is able to rebuild a good family life.

From the Paper:

"Aeschylus and Homer portray two different versions of a post-war homecoming by the central protagonists of the texts "Agamemnon" and "The Odyssey." Agamemnon and Odysseus are both Greek generals who fought successfully in the Trojan War. Both men are kings. While the dramatist Aeschylus portrays an ungrateful homecoming on the part of the central protagonist's wife, and dramatizes a dark prophesy of death that is ultimately fulfilled, as well as stresses the inevitability of fate at the hands of vengeful women, Homer shows a far different possibility for a wartime homecoming. Homer shows how unexpected happy endings can occur, despite the persistent influence of the gods in human affairs. Homer depicts a loyal wife and son waiting for the main protagonist, upon Odysseus' return from the Trojan War. These different family portraits suggest that in Aeschylus' point of view, war destroys family alliances and a true post-war homecoming that recaptures the past is impossible, given the moral as well as territorial destruction of war. But Homer suggests, even though years may be lost, there is still a family bond that can be sustained, despite years of separation."

More papers on Aeschylus' "Agamemnon" and Homer's "Odyssey":

• Analytical Essay # 67093 : "Clytemnestra and Penelope"
• Analytical Essay # 12489 : "Oresteia" ( Aeschylus ) and "The Odyssey" ( Homer )"
• Comparison Essay # 120187 : "Agamemnon's Return Home"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: