Religion and Theology

Throughout the plays of Aeschylus strong women are found to influence the course of story plots. The ability of these women to change the destiny of the protagonists and to encourage the progress of the story reflects a power held by them in the particular plays wherein they may be encountered. However, this deconstruction of the role of such women will show that Aeschylus uses power wielded by women as a device to highlight the inequality between the sexes and the unfitness of women to hold power.

The paper will tackle the specific role played by Clytemnestra in ruling the city and particularly in the demise of Agamemnon. The discussion will assess the source of Clytemnestras power in order to ascertain the extent and nature of the same. The discussion will also unmask the reality of the power struggle between Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. Through the discussion it will be shown that Clytemnestras power was more apparent than real. Moreover, it will be shown that her apparent exercise of such power was nothing more than a tool exploited by a man. Thus, it will be shown that the power wielded by women is nothing more than a tool used by men to maintain or gain power for themselves.

In the case of Clytemnestra there was shown a transformation from the dutiful wife to the unrepentant murderess. Clytemnestra was the recognized ruler of her city but only by virtue and extension of her husbands power. Agamemnons power and his ensuing absence were the source for Clytemnestras authority. Aeschylus wrote when the mans throne empty lies, the woman shall be honoured (6). This showed that Clytemnestra exuded no power of her own. Whatever authority she exercised was merely delegated to her by virtue of her husbands will.  Note the use of the word honoured in the text. This showed that the woman was not enthroned or regarded as equal to the King instead, mere respect was given to her. She was clothed with apparent power in that her subjects heeded her commands and sought her advice. However, this was done out of deference to her title and not by virtue of her right to the throne.

The woman held no power and she was viewed as less than the King she had married. The statement was thus, at best, an acknowledgment that Clytemnestras power was a mere derogation of Agamemnons sovereignty. At worst, it was an admission that Clytemnestra never held power, even in the Kings absence, but merely earned the respect of the people since she was the chosen Queen. This showed the source of the womans power  the throne of the man. Thus, the true base of power was still the mans authority. The woman was not allowed to exercise power and was subjected to the sovereignty of the man. Even the woman as elevated and respected as the Queen was nothing more than a figurehead.

The text goes on to reveal the hollow power that was vested on the Queen. In the latter part of Aeschylus work Agamemnon rebukes Clytemnestra by saying Tis graceless when a woman strives to lead (118). This statement reflects that even the respect that was due to Clytemnestra as a result of her reign while Agamemnon was away was not given her. The actions of the Queen while the King was absent were not free from the latters scrutiny and judgment. Agamemnons power was absolute in nature. He was the final word on decisions made not only during his presence in the city but even for decisions made while he was away. Thus, he could question any decision made while he was gone and any action undertaken upon his arrival. His statement reflects the frailty of Clytemnestras rule over the city.

Agamemnons rebuke showed the complete lack of power of women in society. The Queen who was overjoyed in seeing her Kings return was silenced in public because it was not seen as fitting that women should address the crowd so openly. This shows that the respect accorded to women by virtue of their husbands power did not afford them leadership positions. Any authority that may have been exercised by the woman was done under the indulgence and permission of the man. This reflects the extent of the womans power. The womans power therefore could not exceed the power of the man from whom such power emanated. The womans power is limited by the consent of the man. The question then emerges whether such power is real if it depends upon the acquiescence of another.

The struggle for power at the end of Aeschylus work is depicted through Clytemnestras slaying of Agamemnon. Clytemnestra apparently emerges victorious as her murderous plot is executed perfectly. However, her words are clear as she chafes against the injustice brought to her sex
He slew his child, my love, my flower of pain, ...
Great God, as magic for the winds of Thrace
Why was not he man-hunted from his place,
To purge the blood that stained him ... When the deed
Is mine, oh, then thou art a judge indeed (132)

Here it is seen that judgment was brought upon Clytemnestra by the people whereas when murder was committed by the King no such reproach was brought before him. The sin lay only with the woman. This shows the weakness of the woman in society as she could not even be forgiven her act through the guise of revenge or demon possession. The king on the other hand had slain in cold blood yet had emerged absolved of sin. Such was the superiority accorded the male in Greek society.

Aeschylus shows further that this final act of victory executed by Clytemnestra failed to vest in her the power that was wielded by the King. If Clytemnestra had acted on her own, independent of other forces, then the condemnation and conviction of the people would have been upon her. However, as it was discovered that another man was involved, then the power passed on to such man. Aeschylus revealed such a passing on of power through these words Thou craven soul Why not in open strife slay him Why lay the blood-sin on his wife (140) Thus, the plot is attributed to Aigisthos and Clytemnestras culpability is forgotten. She is revealed as a woman merely manipulated to bring forth an end to the competition between to males vying for the same throne.

Aeschylus reveals through this text that women held no real power in society. Any power that they held was merely an extension of the publics acknowledgment of their husbands power. Out of deference to the husbands authority, the wife was allowed to execute orders and to give advice.

However, such power of the wife was subject to the approval of her husband. Anything refused by the husband could be refused by the public and by subordinates as well. Thus it was revealed that the power held by women were mere derivations and thus temporary in nature for they depended on the support of an outside source. Aeschylus further revealed that women were used as tools in power struggles between men. While women could be manipulated into thinking that their struggle was one for personal power yet the transfer of power from defeated male to victor female was likewise temporary in nature. The power won by the woman simply passed on to the man claiming liability or culpability in her actions. These show the powerlessness of women in Greek society.