Victim or Villain?

Paper Summary:

The paper explains how Agamemnon represents an individual who has the potential to avert extensive tragedy not by means of the typical heroic act, but by a simple compromise which, under the circumstances, would have been truly heroic. The paper notes that Agamemnon did not act alone and his behavior must be viewed in the overall context of the ongoing conflict. The paper discusses how at the most decisive moment for Agamemnon, the motivations of Achilles and Peleus are at work while Chryses and Apollo function as a closed team; however, Agamemnon is not absolved of responsibility.

From the Paper:

"The story of Agamemnon is situated in a context of feud which makes later literature such as Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" also emerging from feud seem normal. Furthermore, the saga of Agamemnon and the events leading up to his murder consist of the very lowest in human depravity. At the same time, Agamemnon's sacrifice of his daughter does not seem so deranged by comparison with the forced cannibalism of Atreus against Thyestes who discovers he has eaten his own sons. What is most significant, however, is the question of human action as opposed to fate and the designs of the gods."

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