The Oresteia of Aeschylus is a trilogy of tragedies expressing the strength that women possess, but, on the other hand, it also expresses the cowardice of certain men, of a man in particular. This man's name was Aigisthos. Aigisthos is only present in the first and second plays of the trilogy, and he barely appears in the majority of each tragedy. Despite this, Aigisthos' seemingly minor role has a powerful clandestine contribution to Agamemnon's shame and demise. With his cunning ruse, power-hungry cowardice, and stupid mistake, Aigisthos does more than just avenge his father. He causes his own annihilation. Aigisthos, a man who defends his honor as many men do at this time, pursues his project in an unexpected way. Like the serpent of Genesis, Aigisthos cunningly deceives the wife and the house without raising a weapon, unless his lustful thoughts and quick wit are filed away in the records as artillery. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an original essayAt that time, men were superior, so in terms of relationships, men were allowed to have many wives, concubines and mistresses without causing reprimands. . Correlated with this, it was humiliating for men to have their wives stolen. Clytemestra is mentioned twice as "Agamemnon's queen", thus proving her position as Agamemnon's unique and crucial wife (Agamemnon ln 25, 83). However, Aigisthos forces his way into Clytemestra's bed in Agamemnon's absence, and in doing so not only takes back the house, but he also disgraces Agamemnon's family name. On the same path, Aigisthos is never mentioned as having loved Clytemestra, although Klytemestra, herself, acknowledges her love for Aigisthos on several occasions. She says: “Aigisthos makes the fire shine on my hearth, my good friend, now as always, who will be for us the shield of our challenge…” (Agamemnon ln 1402-1404). Orestes also, in conversing with Clytemestra after the murder of Aigisthos states: “While [Aigisthos] was alive, you thought him better than my father…. You love him and hate the man you should have loved,” thus remarking how much she truly loved Aigisthos (The Libation Bearers ln 896-898). Aigisthos, on the other hand, rarely refers to the woman, and when he does, he is quick to speak of his own intentions. The chorus clearly sets out Aigisthos' relationship with Clytemestra by saying: "...you... have waited for the end of the war, putting shame to the master's bed with lust" (Agamemnon ln 1590-1591). Strictly speaking, the chorus refrains from expressing the word "love" when referring to Aigisthos' relationship with Clytemestra. Although Aigisthos was a cunning trickster, he was also a vile tyrant, hiding behind his wife, his guards, and his words. Aigisthos is not present for the majority of the first part of the trilogy; he is not even mentioned until Cassandra speaks of him in riddles as a "powerless lion rolling in his master's bed" (Agamemnon ln 1190), and he finally shows up with guards from the body after Agamemnon's death to congratulate himself on the murder. Clearly, Aigisthos is a tyrant without the bravery that tyrants stereotypically display. He is never present without these guards, and he proudly claims the rights to Agamemnon's murder. Aigisthos' words are sharp and threatening when he addresses the chorus after Agamemnon's death, but he still must have his "minions" on hand when a battle is about to break out. He first warns the chorus of elders by saying that they "areold men” and “will learn how difficult it is, at [their] age, to learn how to behave…” (Agamemnon ln 1584). He then ignores the question of why it was Clytemestra who killed Agamemnon instead of Aigisthos (the man), and ultimately answers it by passively plotting his own plans. “…The deception was the woman's doing…always with [Agamemnon's] money, I will strive to control the citizens” (Agamemnon ln1601-1603). With this statement, Aigisthos not only desperately tries to prove that he is the mastermind, but he also expresses his true intentions which have absolutely nothing to do with his father's revenge. The only one who can calm Aigisthos and prevent the fight from starting is Klytemestra. Aigisthos seeks shelter behind her like a child shyly crouching behind his mother's skirts. When he threatens the chorus near the end of Agamemnon, the chorus declares: “Raven and strut, brave cock by your hen; you have no threat to fear” (Agamemnon ln 1638). This indicates Aigisthos' cowardice and his demand for Clytemestra's presence. This also proves Clytemestra's power over her people. Aigisthos may speak and appear as a tyrant with his many armed guards and flying tongue, but, despite all this, the chorus sees him for what he truly is: an oppressive weakling. Aigisthos may just be cunning and dastardly, but to add to his hated character, he is also a bumbling buffoon. With a weakened sense of fear after Agamemnon's death, Aigisthos seems to let his pride take over. He threatens Agamemnon's choir of elders, as noted above, and later, in The Libation Bearers, he is seen as a man despised by the slaves of the house. Although the chorus of slaves does not say it directly, the slaves tell Electra to wish good news to those who hate Aigisthos, and Electra responds by adding the chorus to this group (The Libation Bearers ln 103). The oppression of the citizens and slaves of the house he conquered shows how Aigisthos did not think about the external threats to his rule. Along with the burning hatred of the house and the city, Aigisthos seems to ignore the most important foreshadowing of the second play: the dream of Clytemestra followed by the sudden appearance of a strange man demanding the death of Orestes. Aigisthos is not present very often in The Libation Bringers. , but, putting him on the same level as Clytemestra, it is obvious that he did not put two and two together. Clytemestra dreams of giving birth to a snake and being struck by that same creature. She knows that this serpent must be Orestes, because she would not have sent libations to Agamemnon's tomb if she had not been afraid that her son would come to avenge his father (The Libation Bearers ln 510-535). Yet despite this, both Clytemestra and Aigistho seem indifferent to the stranger who brings them the news of Orestes' death the very morning after Klytemestra had this dream. They do not take the necessary precautions (Aigisthos does not bring his guards when he consults the stranger), and they are both struck because of it. Aigisthos is also foolishly proud of his leadership within the house. The mention of "speaking man to man" is a recurring theme in The Libation Bearers, appearing four times in the text. Orestes begins this idea by first talking about it to the choir (The Libation Bearers ln 555), then calling home, begging to speak to the man of the house rather than the woman so that he can get straight to the point (ln 651-653). Next, the nurse relays to the chorus what Clytemestra said about the need for Aigisthos to speak directly to the stranger (ln 795). And, finally, taking up Clytemestra's idea,.