The House of Atreus; Being the Agamemnon, the Libation bearers, and the Furies

"The House of Atreus; Being the Agamemnon, the Libation-Bearers, and the Furies" by Aeschylus is a collection of Greek tragedies written in the 5th century BC. This collection delves deep into the themes of revenge, justice, and the tragic downfall of a royal family, focusing particularly on Agamemnon, his wife Clytemnestra, and their tumultuous relations within the cursed House of Atreus. The opening of the work sets a somber tone as it introduces the Watchman, who, weary from waiting for news of the Trojan War, anxiously anticipates the signal of Agamemnon's return. He expresses hope that the beacon flames will signal victory, bringing joy to Argos. Clytemnestra, Agamemnon’s wife, soon joins and kindles fires, revealing that Troy has fallen. The Chorus, comprised of older men, reflects on the devastating war and the personal costs it has inflicted. As the Herald arrives, he brings news of victory, but also hints at the personal tragedies that will inevitably follow, setting the stage for the unfolding drama characterized by betrayal, vengeance, and the weighing of fate against free will. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Aeschylus was an ancient Greek tragedian often described as the father of tragedy. Academic knowledge of the genre begins with his work, and understanding of earlier Greek tragedy is largely based on inferences made from reading his surviving plays. According to Aristotle, he expanded the number of characters in the theatre and allowed conflict among them. Formerly, characters interacted only with the chorus.