Aeschylus’ encounter with an ancient mythical tale in “Agamemnon”; is a comparative study of Agamemnon and Cassandra’s tale in previous sources and the play

The narrative of Agamemnon’s return along with Cassandra after ten years of war in the land of Troy to Argos, and subsequently their sacrifice at the hands of Clytemnestra with the assistance of Aegisthus, forms the basis of Aeschylus’s tragedy “Agamemnon”. Other retellings of this ancient mythical tale predating Aeschylus’s play are available today. In this article, we have attempted first to examine ancient retellings and then, in a comparative study, explore the innovations that Aeschylus introduced in his narrative of the mythical tale. We have analyzed which elements he emphasizes and what interpretation he provides. Through this approach, we aim to shed light on Aeschylus’s dramatic adaptation strategy for bringing one of the most crucial episodes in the saga of the Argive royal family to the stage. The previous sources that we have examined regarding this mythical tale include the book “Odyssey”, the book “The Return of the Greeks” (Nostoi), lyrics, and ancient images. Then we have approached Aeschylus’s adaptation from four distinct angles: symbolic significance of the royal palace (Aeschylus uses the term “daimon” (a divine spirit or force) to convey the palace’s deeper meaning); Aegisthus’s absence (Aegisthus is conspicuously absent from a significant portion of the play); Clytemnestra’s complex portrait (Aeschylus paints a unique picture of Clytemnestra -a powerful, ambitious, vengeful, and envious woman); broader mythical context (Aeschylus provides a framework for the audience to understand the play’s events within the broader context of the return of Greek leaders from Troy after their momentous victory). Consequently, we have explored how Aeschylus transforms an ancient tale into a multifaceted creation, weaving elements of cultural and mythological context of ancient Greece together. He also introduces fresh meanings that were absent in previous retellings. Aeschylus transcends the simplistic old narratives generating political and social implications. Moreover, he brings to life one of the most memorable characters in the surviving tragedies of ancient Greece.