A Scene from Oresteia: The Libation Bearers/Cheophoroi

SCENE:
Spoken by Cilissa
Indeed, before the servants, behind eyes that feigned grief she hid her laughter over what has
occurred fortunately for her. But the news so plainly told by the strangers means utter ruin for
this house Miserable woman that I am! How the old unbearable troubles of every sort that
occurred in this house of Atreus have always made my heart ache within my breast! But never yet
have I endured a blow like this. For all the other troubles I bore patiently, but my beloved
Orestes, on whom I spent my soul, I hear that he is dead. But I am on my way to fetch the
man who wrought destruction on our house, and he will be glad enough to hear this news.
(Line 735-765)

ANALYSIS:
This scene happened after the two travellers bore news that Orestes has died a lonesome
death on a foreign land. The house mistress, Clytemnestra, had shown a grieving face in front of
the visitors and servants. But the house nurse, Cilissa saw and new the truth of Clytemnestras
emotions.
After the horrid dream prophesizing her demise, the queen has been living in paranoia:
she was scared for her life. She has interpreted the dream the same way Orestes didthe snake
being Orestes coming to avenge for the murder of his father. So when the news came of his
death, she was filled with relief and happy for her life, yet at the same time, sorrow for the loss
of a loved one.
For the servers, this meant that their true king, the rightful owner of the throne of
Argos, has died and they will never get to see him rule his land. But to the queen, this meant that
the prophecy will not be realized and she will continue her reign longer. But to the nurse,
Clissa, this is more than an unfulfilled prophecy or a failure of achievement of power. To Cilissa,
she lost a son, a family member, her hope.
This shows the contrast to Clytemnestras reaction. Cilissa came out crying on the news
of Orestes death. Although we can see that Clytemnestra was sad when brought of the news,
there were no actions or words that expressed any form of grievance for his son. She walked
back to her chambers collected and calmed as if no close family has passed . This showed us a
quality of Clytemnestra that breaks the status quo. She was acting strong and composed unlike
what is expected of how a mother should feeljust like how Cilissa feels.
The juxtaposition of these two standing mothers emphasized the expectation of
motherhood in Ancient Greece. Women were expected to run the household and most specially
take care of the heir of the home. Aeschylus used Cilissa as the representation of the mother
Clytemnestra never was, thus criticizing her and showing the error within hermotherhood.