Cassandra's role as a prophet

In Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, the prophet Cassandra undergoes a transformation from a seer whom no one will believe, to a visionary whose knowledge of unseen events both past and present cannot be ignored. The visions she receives and in turn relays to a skeptical Chorus, are an attempt not only to articulate the fate that awaits their king, but also to provide the reader with a timeline of the history and events concerning the curse that has been placed upon the house of Atreus. Though the verbal expression of her prophecies are initially scrambled and unable to be interpreted, the images she sees are both clear and accurate. Cassandra becomes aware of the history of murders and revengeful spirits in the family of Agamemnon and his fathers. She shares her knowledge with the people of Argos who eventually accept the visions and realize the causes of the Agamemnon’s murder as a curse resulting from his father’s actions.

When Agamemnon is deceived by his wife, and enters his palace unknowing of the dangers within, the reader expects his murder to take place soon and thus conclude the vengeance of Clytaemnestra. Aeschylus postpones the death of Agamemnon and, using

Cassandra is able to tell, in specific terms, what happened physically at the dinner. More important, however, she is aware of the emotions and feelings of those who were present and participated in the meal. Cassandra makes it clear that Thyestes cares for his children, and is unaware of the actions he is really taking by partaking of the dinner. Cassandra goes on to reveal to the Chorus, not only the visions she has received as a prophet, but she shares an objective opinion: “For so much suffering, I tell you, someone plots revenge” (1230 - 1231),

Cassandra is not afraid of death by Clytaemnestra’s hand. It is her fate to die, and to join the rest of her countrymen who have died in the Trojan War. She wishes for a quick death, and awaits the time she she can close her eyes and sleep, never to be tortured with visions of horror and deception which are too much to bear.

As Cassandra enters the doors of the palace, the chorus speaks of the knowledge they have acquired through the young visionary. The men of Argos now understand the past of their king, and accept his future as well. When they chorus states that “he must pay for the blood / his fathers shed, and die for the deaths / he brought to pass” (1363-1365), Cassandra’s role becomes complete. She has made the Chorus, as well as the audience, aware of the circumstances surrounding the murder of the king, and has connected the past, present, and future, into one continuous, straight, clear line of events.

Some topics in this essay:
Thyestes Atreus, Cassandra’s Aegisthus’, Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, Trojan War, Agamemnon Cassandra, Atreus Cassandra’s, Leader Chorus, Leader Argos, Chorus Cassandra’s, Clytaemnestra Aeschylus, house atreus, curse house atreus, knowledge past, murder agamemnon, past future, curse house, concerning curse, cassandra’s visions, cassandra makes, agamemnon visions, cassandra’s role,