The Agamemnon, 3

Clytemnestra urges Cassandra to come into the palace for the (thankful) sacrifices to the gods.  But she shudders in silence and stays put.  The Chorus urges her to go, but in confusion over her state.  Clytemnestra leaves in frustration.

At this, Cassandra speaks, and cries out to Apollo over prophetic visions.  First recognizing the spilling of much blood in the palace-- past, present, and future.  Points the finger especially at a "wretched woman".  But she's babbling, and the Chorus can't keep up.  They're totally freaked out.  She sees Clytemnestra killing her husband.  She sees her own death, and rues her fate.  She sees the destruction brought on by Paris, her own home, and a similar home by the rivers in Hades.  She sees the original ancient familial murders in the palace, and those of Atreus, Agamemnon's father.

The Chorus asks for explanation.  Cassandra tells of her seduction by Apollo, then his curse when she wouldn't have his child: she will not be believed in her prophecies.

Now sees specifically the murdered children of Thyestes, murdered by his brother Atreus and then fed to their father.  She sees Aegisthus and Clytemnestra plotting Agamemnon's murder in his bed.  The Chorus recognize the old story of Thyestes and are amazed, but lost on the rest.  She specifically calls Agamemnon's death.  She sees Clytemnestra plotting against her, and throws off her wench's clothing in disgust.  She sees an ultimate avenger (Orestes) arriving to do in Clytemnestra.  She resigns herself to her fate, and moves to enter the palace.

The Chorus ask why the change, and admire her as an "undaunted soul".  She rebukes the compliment, saying it is only given to the doomed.  She recoils again from entering, predicting future deaths, and stating a final wish before her own death: that her slayers also be put to death.

The Chorus lament Agamemnon's imminent and untimely death, questioning the benefit of being born a king if it leads to such a fate.

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Once again, it's unclear to me how much of the story is already understood by the audience.  Cassandra speaks without naming names, as it were.  But I easily picked up on exactly whom she's talking about on every line-- and the footnotes weren't necessary most of the time.  Good to see the Chorus isn't entirely stupid-- they caught some of it as well.

Funny line that has gained a ridiculous new connotation:

(Clytemnestra speaking of Cassandra's reluctance to come in): Perhaps she only understands some outlandish twittering.

I really enjoyed Cassandra's scenes.  I was hoping to find a video of a really good version of a performance in English somewhere.  Instead, this is the best I found.  This is creepy as hell.





I don't understand theater at all.