How does Agamemnon describe his own wife, Clytemnestra?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

"How does Agamemnon describe his own wife, Clytemnestra?" is asking us to recall a specific characterization used by Agamemnon in the text.

Option 1: "Gracious beauty of Hellas". This phrasing presents a positive, idealized compliment focusing on beauty and virtue. While tragedy often contrasts appearances with actual actions, this exact description would frame Clytemnestra in a flattering light, which runs counter to Agamemnon’s later, harsher judgments of her. Therefore, this option does not align with the speaker’s harsh characterization.

Option 2: "noble daughter of Leda". This option emphasizes lineage and nobility, not a personal accusation or moral judgment by Agamemnon about his wife. While Clytemnestra is indeed related to LeDa in myth, this is not a descriptor Agamemnon uses to characterize her character or deeds; it’s an informative but non-evaluative label.

Option 3: "brazen harlot". This is a strongly pejorative insult, and it could plausibly appear in some Shakespearean or sensationalized modern adaptations, but in the canonical lines attributed to Agamemnon, the exact formulation is not this phrase. It misstates the precise wording, though it captures the venom of familial conflict. So, it’s not the exact description used by Agamemnon.

Option 4: "evil to the core". This option captures a stark, essentialist judgment of Clytemnestra’s character as presented by Agamemnon in some translations or paraphrases of the play, emphasizing that he perceives her as fundamentally corrupt or malevolent. Among the listed choices, this is the one that most directly reflects the intense moral condemnation he expresses.

Option 5: "tender companion and faithful helper". This description presents Clytemnestra as supportive and affectionate, which is inconsistent with Agamemnon’s portrayal of her as dangerous or morally corrupt. It contradicts the accusatory tone typically attributed to his view of her actions.

In summary, the set of options contrasts flattering, neutral, insulting inexactness, damning and supportive framings. The one that most closely matches Agamemnon’s severe, core-level moral condemnation of Clytemnestra is option 4, "evil to the core". The other choices either present an inaccurate portrayal of his attitude, refer to unrelated attributes like lineage, or mirror a positive view that does not fit his critical portrayal in the scene.

CLA 010Y 001 SQ 2025 Odyssey (Underworld) Quiz

How does Agamemnon describe his own wife, Clytemnestra?

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