Agamemnon Character
A
Agamemnon
Protagonist
Also known as: King of Mycenae, Greek Commander
Proud
Powerful
Arrogant
Doomed
The victorious Greek commander in the Trojan War and King of Mycenae. Proud and powerful, yet doomed by fate's curse. His crime of sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia and his arrogance in victory led to his downfall. He is a central figure in the cursed House of Atreus.
C
Clytemnestra
Antagonist
Also known as: Queen of Mycenae
Intelligent
Cunning
Vengeful
Determined
Agamemnon's wife and Queen of Mycenae. She murders her husband with the help of her lover Aegisthus to avenge the sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia. She symbolizes female power, revenge, and the complex face of justice.
C
Cassandra
Symbolic
Also known as: Princess of Troy
Prophetic
Tragic
Unheard
Resigned
Daughter of Priam, the defeated King of Troy, brought to Mycenae as Agamemnon's captive. A prophetess whose prophecies are never believed, she foretells her own death. She serves as a symbol of the cruelty of fate.
A
Aegisthus
Supporting
Also known as: Conspirator
Scheming
Vengeful
Opportunistic
Treacherous
Clytemnestra's lover and Agamemnon's cousin. He plays an active role in the murder of Agamemnon and is deeply embedded in the old curse and revenge cycle of the House of Atreus. His affair with Clytemnestra transforms personal revenge into political conspiracy.
C
Chorus
Narrator
Also known as: Elders of Argos
Reflective
Moralistic
Philosophical
Observant
The collective voice of the elder citizens of Argos. They comment on war, victory, the gods, and justice throughout the play. They serve as a symbol of moral lessons and philosophical reflection, giving voice to the community's perspective.
H
Herald
Minor
Also known as: Messenger
Dutiful
Informative
Weary
Honest
A messenger who brings news of Agamemnon's victory from Troy. He describes the hardships of war, the influence of the gods, and the suffering of the soldiers, providing important narrative context.
W
Watchman
Symbolic
Loyal
Anxious
Foreboding
Vigilant
Seen at the beginning of the play, waiting on the palace roof for the victory signal beacon fire. He serves as a symbol of ominous foreboding, setting the tense and fateful tone of the drama.
SA
Servants and Attendants
Minor
Dutiful
Subservient
Functional
Background figures who assist with palace activities. Their presence lends realism to the setting and events of the play.