Seneca’s Agamemnon: A Reading

Just like Seneca’s Medea and Oedipus, Seneca’s Agamemnon is a ‘fabula crepidata’ – a Roman tragedy with Greek subject. This play depicts the story of Agamemnon, who was killed by his wife Clytemnestra at his own palace, after his return from Troy.

In summary, the ghost of Thyestes arrives from the underworld and calls to his son, Aegisthus, to carry out the revenge which had been promised to him by the oracle. Clytemnestra is conscious of her own evil and fears punishment for her adultery, now that her husband has just returned from the Trojan War, and contemplates the destruction of Agamemnon. However, the Nurse, attempts to dissuade her from adopting such a step.

Aegisthus then comes on stage and finds Clytemnestra hesitating. Aegisthus then succeeds in diverting Clytemnestra from her new resolution and on again towards her rash purpose.

Next, Eurybates tells us that Agamemnon has returned and is now approaching. Sacrifices are prepared for the gods and a feast is prepared for Agamemnon. Cassandra has a prophesying fit and tells of the dangers which will threaten Agamemnon.

When Agamemnon returns, Cassandra depicts his fate, but she isn’t believed.

Later, Cassandra foretells what happens, narrating everything that is progressing in the banqueting hall about the slaughter of Agamemnon.

Electra then persuades her brother Orestes to flee and encounters Strophius. Electra hands Orestes over to Strophius to be carried away. Electra then goes to the altar for protection. Clytemnestra orders Electra to be dragged away from the altar and thrown into prison, whilst ordering her death.

Influences

There’s no earlier known play which is a model for Seneca’s Agamemnon. This play tells near-enough the same story as Aeschylus’ Agamemnon. However, Seneca’s Agamemnon differs with the characterisation, structure and themes in comparison with Aeschylus’ Agamemnon. In Seneca’s play, Agamemnon has a minor role in comparison with Clytemnestra and Cassandra who have much larger parts. Other plays that are lost may have influenced Seneca’s play. These lost plays included Ion of Chios’ Agamemnon, Livius Andronicus’ Aegithus and Accius’ Clytemnestra.