We use what we love dearly to buy what we loathe.
Another woman must die. Another psyche breaks to appease the gods. Another tragedy.
Yet even an ancient Greek misogynist must see the pathetic propoganda behind this story; this prequel to the great epic.
Agamemnon, the great Greek king and brother to the offended Menelaus, must sacrifice his daughter to Artemis for the favorable winds that will aid their invasion of Troy. Considering his position, I sympathize with his grief but spit on his conviction.
Granted, he must honor his position as brother to the offended party, his position as king to an armed mob, and his position as loving father to a innocent daughter. As in other Greek tragedies, an impossible situation. I question how much Euripides wants his audiences to sympathize with Agamemnon. He could introduce Agamemnon as a noble king with conviction; the strength and fortitude to suffer the consequences of his choices. Instead, we shows us an indecisive king lamenting his troubles and envying low-born citizens. Would he wail like this if he embraces his kingship with responsibility and humility, a sense of duty? Achilles shows more backbone than Agamemnon.
This theme of indecisiveness pervades the entire play; eroding the image of Greece as a stallwart power, unwavering in the face of the challenges of other peoples and armies. Menelaus chastises Agamemnon for changing his mind about sacrificing his daughter, then changes his own mind. Achilles commits to defending Iphigenia then changes his mind. Iphigenia recoils at her fate then changes her mind. Considering the situation, we cannot fault these characters for their indecisiveness but don’t say you envy the low-born and then choose to keep your crown.
Follow this thread: Agamemnon gathers the Greek armies bound for Troy to retrieve Helen, the woman who offends his brother’s honor. But to get there, he must sacrifice his daughter. He decides not to follow through because retrieving an unfaithful wife costs too much. What sense is there in sacrificing an innocent girl to retrieve an adulterous wife? Menelaus argues, but then ultimately concedes. But wait, we need to sacrifice Iphigenia now. Why? Because we fear the armed mob. Not because we’ve decided in the justice of our cause. No, because we fear our own overthrow. Only now, thanks to our noble daughter, we have justification: the honor of Greece! Patriotic pride! She will die for Greece, the nation so noble, elite, and righteous that they simply cannot abide stealing wives. The propoganda machine on display in ancient Greece. Now Agamemnon can live with himself, for a time.
Pathetic. And all too familiar.
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