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62 pages 2 hours read

Costanza Casati

Clytemnestra

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Character Analysis

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra, the protagonist, is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character who embodies the archetype of a tragic hero even as she proves herself to be a dynamic character. Initially, she is introduced as a young, independent Spartan princess whose determination to defy traditional gender roles highlights her strong-willed and rebellious nature. As she endures great tragedies and injustices, her character arc becomes intertwined with themes of loss, vengeance, and power.

Clytemnestra evolves from a grieving mother and a betrayed wife into a formidable ruler of Mycenae. This transition is marked by various events, including the tragic loss of her child and first husband at the hands of her second husband, Agamemnon. These events ignite her intense desire for vengeance and set her on a disastrous path. Her character is further developed through her relationships, the most notable of which are her connections to her children and her affair with Aegisthus. Within Casati’s retelling of the classic myth, Clytemnestra’s journey gains new depth and encapsulates the struggle against patriarchal constraints and the pursuit of personal justice. She is ultimately revealed to be a blurred text
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