A lemmatic commentary of Aeschylus, Agamemnon L.281-316

Abstract

Clytemnestra's 'beacon-speech' is a 31-verse long speech which 'catalogues' the geographical sites of a series of beacons, lit in sequence upon the capture of Troy, starting at Mt. Ida and ending on the roof of Atreus' palace in Argos. It represents the first substantial monologue delivered by Clytemnestra in Aeschylus' play. The speech is foreshadowed by the opening of the Agamemnon in which the appearance of the last beacon-fire signals Troy's capitulation. The guard, who appears first on stage, is also the last of a long series of watchmen. His speech shares some of its diction and imagery with Clytemnestra's beacon-speech, as shall be discussed below. The chorus' first intimation of Clytemnestra's news is the burning of sacrifices at the city's altars and their first reaction to it is incomprehension and sheer incredulity. Indeed, prior to Clytemnestra's speech, the appearance of a light shining across the Aegean from Troy and signalling the fall of a distant city does beggar belief. [excerpt]