Agamemnon Compared to The Odyssey Essay

1) The Story of Agamemnon and the Odyssey

The story of Agamemnons murder and his sons subsequent revenge is repeated time and again throughout the Odyssey. This repetition serves several functions. It serves as a contrast between the tragedy of Agamemnon and the triumph of Odysseus. The audience of Homer was fond of such happy endings, and so the frequent mention of this sad story serves to enhance the happy ending of Odysseus triumph. Moreover, the contrast of Odysseuss story with Agamemnons gives the reader insight into the character traits of each, exposing their strengths as well as flaws. Aside from appreciating them as human beings, the audience is also able to understand why the fate of Agamemnon was death, whereas the fate of Odysseus was triumph. The story also helps illustrate many Homeric symbols and themes, including glory and fate. The parallelism of the stories plot lines and characters are the literary tools Homer utilizes to convey these ideas.

Glory, or kleos, is a recurring theme in Homeric epics. We see many instances of the heros value for glory, and the story focuses largely on the obstacles our hero must overcome to attain it. The parallels and contrasts of the stories serve to highlight the main points Homer had in mind in his understanding of what kleos in fact is.

In both cases, our heroes are all unaware of whether or not their kin is alive. Agamemnon does not know where Orestes is and vice versa, and analogously, Odysseus does not know where Telemachus is, and vice versa. Both have to overcome the inevitable anxiety that sets in when one is uncertain of the mortality of their flesh and blood, particularly after so many years of seperation. This ability is part of the heroic code. The hero is supposed to be the man who is able to lead his men out of despair, the polar opposite of the man who is overcome by despair.

The ending of the stories are both glorious. Orestes, after killing Aegisthes, throws a feast. Menelaus also returns from his home that day and brings treasure. Odysseus, in the prelude to killing his enemies, the suitors, gains glory by winning the archery contest, and then killing the suitors. The Homeric games serve as a pedestal by which Odysseus can achieve even greater glory. Not only does he kill the suitors, he dominates them at archery. Such chutzpah is exactly the kind of hero Homeric audiences crave. Again, the glory of the kill is enhanced by the contrast with Agamemnons tragic death. Odysseus triumphs where Agamemnon failed. The tragedy of Agamemnons death is compounded by his absence when he was not able to be present with Orestes for the reclamation of his home. He did not make use of the spoils brought by Menelaus, or partake in the celebratory feast. Thus, Odysseus achieves double glory to make up for the glory Agamemnon had lost. The majestic retaking of his home and the magical reuniting with his wife Penelope are all what Agamemnon should have had. Thus, the audience feels double glory for Odysseus. Not only is his story touching, but it symbolizes that justice has finally been served.

This is Telemachus journey into manhood, as well as Odysseuss return home. He says I hold the reins of power in this house (1.414) and so his aspirations of becoming a man are akin to the realization of manhood achieved by Orestes. In a sense, the rite of passage for Telemachus seems to be achievable only when he wins honor back for his household. Indeed, after telling Telemachus the story of Agamemnon, King Menelaus of Sparta inspires Telemachus: You too, then- for you are a tall, smart-looking fellow- show your mettle and make yourself a name in story." (4, 320). Thus, the parallelism of the heroic story of fighting for a fathers honor is fleshed out. A hero is supposed to take honor in their family, and do whatever is necessary to defend that honor.

A central idea in the story as well as in Homers Odyssey in general is that of fate. Many characters take different approaches to fate and the role it plays in their lives. Some believe they are doomed, while others believe they are eternally blessed. Certainly the Gods play a vital role in the determination of outcomes as well.

Aegisthes was able to deceive Clynmenstra by killing her bard, and then offering sacrifices to the gods to win Clynmenstras favor. Ironically, sacrificing to the gods is the same thing that ultimately caused Agamemnons death, by delaying him on the island. One cannot influence the Gods through sacrifice if a mans fate is sealed, as Minerva comments Still, death is certain, and when a man's hour has come, not even the gods can save him, no matter how fond they are of him" (3, 121). . Humans, however, are fickle. They can be influenced by anything and everything, especially sacrifice. The allure of sacrifice, or changing ones destiny, leads Agamemnon to remain vulnerable. His appeal to the gods is unanswered. The sacrifices brought by Aegisthes are of a completely different nature. They are intended for human influence.

Telemachus does not believe in destiny. He does believe in himself and his ability to sway the outcomes of the future, but he does not believe the Gods will help him. In response to Nestors question if he thinks the gods will help him like they help Odysseus, he says I can expect nothing of the kind (3, 410). This can do attitude serves Telemachus well as it garners him respect from his comrades. The psychological toll, however, is taxing. Expressing this sentiment, Telemachus says, But the gods have no such happiness in store for me and for my father, so we must bear it as best we may."(3, 419) This is the classic Homeric warrior stance. A hero is one who takes action, relies on will, and determines his own outcomes.

The natural question is then, what is it that Odysseus has that Agamemnon does not? Why did Odysseus make it home, but Agamemnon suffer betrayal and defeat? Indeed, the argument can be made that there is nothing special about Odysseus but rather, as alluded to above, Odysseus is merely lucky that he finishes off the epic and so he has to be the one with the happy ending. Nevertheless, it is interesting to discuss the character differences and understand. There are several qualities one can point to when making this argument. Let us consider three:

Odysseus is a great deceiver and so he can wiggle his way out of trouble. Indeed the very first lines of the Odyssey remark that Odysseus is a, Man of twists and turns (1.1) Faced with a near-death situation, such as when Odysseus is trapped on the island of the Cyclops, Odysseus is cunning enough to call himself nobody. This way, when he makes his escape, the giant Cyclops Polyphemus screams out, No one is killing me! (9, 254). Quite a humorous way to escape danger, Odysseus strikes us as just that, a man with a sense of humor who is able to use that talent to escape danger. Agamemnon was murdered because he was nave. He allowed himself to arrive at a feast unarmed and subsequently was ambushed.

Odysseus is also very much a hot item amongst the goddesses. This serves him well as the goddesses provide him protection. In fact, the very beginning of the Odyssey has Athena pleading with Zeus on behalf of Odysseus to send him home (1, 210). Recall that Agamemnons fatal flaw was that he was unwilling to leave with Menelaus after the war. He stayed behind to, Offer hecatombs to appease the anger of Minerva (3, 341), in hopes that his sacrifices would secure protection for him on the way home.

Another decisive factor that leads to Odysseus survival is his ability to elicit trust out of those close to him. Agamemnons wife betrayed him, and in doing so killed him. Penelope, on the other hand, is supremely loyal. 20 years have gone by and she still remains faithful to her husband. Agamemnon tells Odysseus , Not be too friendly even with your own wife. Do not tell her all that you know perfectly well yourself. Tell her a part only, and keep your own counsel about the rest (11, 510). The Homeric hero is a man who is not betrayed by the ones he keeps close to him. Odysseus is thus a greater hero because his wife has been faithful.

Thus, we see the function of the story of Agamemnon in the Odyssey. It provides insight into our characters, it explains the nature of kleos and the tasks associated with achieving such things, and it sheds light on the ending and Odysseuss triumph via the contrast of Odysseus with Agamemnon, who was in a similar situation and suffered the opposite fate. The glory of the Odyssey lives on.