Clytemnestra's character in Aeschylus' tragedy Agamemnon is portrayed as a strong willed woman. This characteristic is not necessarily typical of women in her time. She dominates the action in the play and her most important characteristic is, like the watchman calls it, "male strength of heart." Later in the play after Clytemnestra murders her husband, Agamemnon, and his concubine, Cassandra, she reveals her driving force that has spurned all of her actions up to this point. Clytemnestra is seen by the Chorus as untrustworthy and although suspicious of her, they still could not foresee the impending murders. Her words are plain but her meaning is hidden to all those around her. She alludes to her murder plans without fear of being detected. Only the audience seems to understand the double meanings. One example of how Clytemnestra hides meanings in otherwise plain words is stated in her hope that Agamemnon and his soldiers do not commit any sacrilege in Troy that might offend the gods. Now they must pay due respect to the gods that inhabit the city, the gods of the conquered land, Troy, or their victory may end in their own destruction. The soldiery may, seized with greed, yield to their covetousness and lay hands on forbidden spoils. They still must bring themselves home. And if no sin against heaven rest on the returning host, there is the wrong of the dead that watches. Evil may triumph, but not all at once. This can be interpreted in two ways. The first is Clytemnestra's wish for Agamemnon to return safely so that she may kill him herself. The second is that of sarcasm. Perhaps she really does wish for Agamemnon to upset the gods. That way, when she murders him it will be divine sanction. But in the tradition of revenge for one act to another, Clytemnestra too will face a day when she is killed for revenge by her son, and the cycle will continue. So, this strong woman is doomed for failure so, how strong is she exactly if she is only doing as fate allows?.
