Orestia

An Analysis of the Imagery in Aeschylus’ The Oresteia


Aeschylus’ dramatic trilogy The Oresteia illustrates the cyclical pattern of violence in the house of Atreus. The imagery enhances the actions that take place on stage as well as adds depth to the performance. The recurring imagery of hunting and trapping emphasizes the idea of circularity, as the hunters are eventually caught in their own traps. In addition, the animalistic imagery classifies the characters and strengthens their personalities.
The recurring imagery of hunting and trapping emphasizes the idea of circularity, as the hunters are eventually caught in their own traps. The hunt and trap image patterns illustrate the circularity of blood vendetta. The dominant symbol of the net illustrates the entrapm...