Humans who cease to control themselves legitimately tend to be personified as animals. This statement is justly proven throughout Agamemnon through the use of several different animal symbolisms. One in particular is the lion. The lion can be seen as a powerful animal, as well as be noted for its slyness and deceitful tendencies. This “king of beasts” is known to be a bloodthirsty creature that is ruthless and threatening. Lions are also said to be protective, social beasts, and this seemingly co

Another reference to the lion comes in a fable-like speech by the chorus. They tell of a shepherd raising an abandoned lion cub, and eventually the cub turns on him and massacres his house (Mack 363). Aeschylus uses this reference to tell the story of Helen of Troy and the purpose for the war. The next few lion symbolism comparisons are made by Cassandra; a psychic girl, brought home by Agamemnon to be his mistress. She is telling of some of her visions when she says, “I tell you someone plots revenge. A lion who lacks a lion’s heart, he sprawled at home in the royal lair and set a trap for the lord on his return (Mack 376).” Cassandra is speaking of Aegisthus, Agamemnon’s cousin who has been having an affair with Clytaemnestra. In concordance, Cassandra then goes on to say, “She is a lioness, she rears on her hind legs, she beds with the wolf when her lion king goes ranging (Mack 377).” Obviously, Cassandra knows that Clytaemnestra and Aegisthus have been having an affair while Agamemnon has been at war. Cassandra had used several different symbols and figurative language to express her visions and show that she knows the secrets hovering over all the characters.

ntradictory trait is mirrored in some of the characters. In Agamemnon, Aeschylus makes known the similari

Some topics in this essay:
Agamemnon Aeschylus, Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, Clytaemnestra Aegisthus, Helen Troy, Troy Mack, War Mack, Aegisthus Agamemnon’s, lion-like qualities, symbolism prominent, beginning play, throughout play, aeschylus’ agamemnon, image lion,