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Agamemnon Study Guide
Agamemnon study guide contains a biography of Aeschylus, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
In the immediate aftermath of the fall of Troy, the play opens at King Agamemnon's palace in Argos with the lonely Watchman's soliloquy. From the roof of the palace, the Watchman begs the gods for respite from his interminable watch. The stars, his sole, plentiful and steadfast, companions seem to him like so many "dynasties" revolving in endless cycles, waxing and waning, moving out of winter into summer and back again. What he wishes, in short, is rest.
He relates how he has been obliged by the queen to keep watch for a fire. Further he cannot sleep for restless fear. In his musings he hints of a great bygone woe, "the pity of this house," which he hopes will soon be redeemed. The flames, he says, would presage positively. Far off in the…
Read the full Agamemnon Summary
- Agamemnon Summary
- About Agamemnon
- Character List
- Major Themes
- Summary and Analysis of Section 1: From the first line to Clytaemestra's: "Of all good things to wish this is my dearest choice"
- Summary and Analysis of Section 2: From the Chorus' line: "My lady, no grave man could speak with better / grace" to the exit of the Herald
- Summary and Analysis of Section 3: From the exit of the Herald to Clytaemestra's exit after speaking to Cassandra
- Summary and Analysis of Section 4: From Clytaemestra's exit after she speaks to Cassandra to the opening of the palace doors after Agamemnon's cries
- Summary and Analysis of Section Five: From the opening of the palace doors on the bodies of Agamemnon and Cassandra to the end of the play
- Related Links on Agamemnon
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
- Author of ClassicNote and Sources
