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What's This? A Show of Mercy? - Hailey Morgan

Let me start off by saying that I was not at all expecting such a wholesome ending to the Eumenides. With everything that we have learned about the fierceness of Greece and it's people thus far, I was fully anticipating a never-ending blood feud to ensue. However, I was entirely incorrect. 

I was so confused by Athena's sudden change of character. In the Iliad, the goddess was just as ready for war as Ares was. But here, we see Athena displaying her wisdom and justice as she convinces the Furies to let go of their fiery need for vengeance.

I wonder if Aeschylus did this because he wanted to remind his people of Athena's 'true' nature. Since they were such a honor bound people, glory in war was a major aspect of most men's lives. Perhaps the author was tired of all the bloodshed and wanted to remind his fellow citizens that there was more to live for, that forgiveness was an option. Whatever the reason, the change in tone was disorienting.


Edit - Replied to Haley Riddle and Jacob Clabo.  

Comments

  1. Caroline TuckerSeptember 21, 2020 at 8:00 PM

    I agree! I believe that the characters’ exhaustion from war is the reason why they all have a change in tone compared to the “Iliad”. I actually like Athena in the “Eumenides”. I did not like her in the “Iliad”. My favorite line of wisdom from Athena is “Two sides are here, and only half is heard” (Aeschylus, 250). This piece of wisdom is one to keep in mind. There is always two sides of a story and sometimes you only hear one.

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  2. ClaboSeptember 21, 2020 at 8:27 PM

    I agree that the lack of violence and bloodshed was a complete change of pace. However, I didn't think that the blood feud was going to continue after this story no matter where it went. Orestes was basically the last one alive, and unless the feud was going to extend into the gods and goddesses after the furies were involved, it had to stop somewhere. I am glad that the conflict was resolved however.

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  3. Braylan StringfellowSeptember 21, 2020 at 11:01 PM

    It was nice to see more of Athena's characteristics than just war in this. To me, it was a nice change of pace; even though I love war and battle.

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  4. Micah PowersSeptember 22, 2020 at 9:02 AM

    You're quite right. Aeschylus did a stellar Job showing the more depth of the character of Athena. As a judge we see her more under the lens of a benevolent fact seeker rather than a war mongering violent god. She acted as a great balance to the almost demonic furies. I will admit it was really hard to read this and see furies and not think furries. Oerestes being chased by a bunch of half human half animal. As a visual person eventually maturity possessed my thoughts and gave me a more grotesque demon like image as the furies. Although, I probably should have looked it up.

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  5. Haley RiddleSeptember 24, 2020 at 8:05 AM

    I think it was a great twist. We were expecting his conviction, but nope! If only there was more of this behavior throughout the Iliad.

    ReplyDelete

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