# Agamemnon — Agamemnon character guide

> Agamemnon in Agamemnon by Aeschylus.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** The Agamemnon, Herald, the Herald Agamemnon

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

The conquering king whose beacon-lit return to Argos crowns a decade of war, though the Herald's joy cannot quite drown out what was done at Troy.

## Who they are

Agamemnon arrives as the man the Herald calls happy if anyone ever was, the crown of triumph resting on a king who sacked Troy's temples and paid for victory in blood. Against the Herald's open delight he stands remote and ceremonial, a contrast the play quietly insists on, while the Chorus weighs his fortune against the old law that the sinner shall learn through suffering. He matters because his homecoming is the hinge on which the house of Atreus turns, and every step toward the palace door tightens the question of what his victories have cost.

## Relationships

### [Clytemnestra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/clytemnestra)

_family_

Husband and wife, but their marriage is poisoned by betrayal, sacrifice, and murderous intent.

### [Atreus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/atreus)

_family_

Father and son, with Atreus's curse of familial bloodshed haunting Agamemnon's fate.

### [Cassandra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/cassandra)

_social_

Agamemnon brings Cassandra home as a war prize and concubine, indifferent to her prophetic anguish.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Agamemnon sees himself as an instrument of Zeus's will, yet is trapped by divine justice and fate.

### [Aeschylus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/aeschylus)

_professional_

Aeschylus portrays Agamemnon as a tragic hero undone by his own choices and family curse.

### [Priam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/priam)

_rivalry_

Enemy kings in the Trojan War, with Agamemnon leading the Greeks against Priam's Troy.

### [Herald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/herald)

_professional_

The Herald serves as Agamemnon's messenger, reporting the fall of Troy and the king's return.

### [Aigisthos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/aigisthos)

_rivalry_

Aigisthos is Agamemnon's cousin and mortal enemy, who seduces Clytemnestra and murders Agamemnon.

### [Priam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/priam)

_rivalry_

Enemy kings in the Trojan War, with Agamemnon leading the Greeks against Priam's Troy.

### [Herald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/herald)

_professional_

The Herald serves as Agamemnon's messenger, reporting the fall of Troy and the king's return.

### [Clytemnestra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/clytemnestra)

_family_

Husband and wife, but their marriage is poisoned by betrayal, sacrifice, and murderous intent.

## In the story

### [Family Trees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/chapters/family-trees)

Listed as a chief character in the family tree.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the brother of the unnamed sister.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/chapters/endnotes)

His return is marked by triumph and the spoils of war; his temptation and yielding are analyzed; his contrast with the Herald is noted.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/chapters/endnotes)

His arrival is full of excitement and love for home, contrasting with Agamemnon; his speech confirms Clytemnestra's worst fears.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters/agamemnon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agamemnon_se/characters