# Clytemnestra — The Libation Bearers character guide

> Clytemnestra in The Libation Bearers by Aeschylus.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Clytemnestra Child

**First appearance:** 0001-the-libation-bearers

## Snapshot

Argos's queen, who shrieked at a dream and sent appeasements to the grave of the husband she killed, waking what she meant to quiet.

## Who they are

Clytemnestra rules beside Aigisthos, holding a usurper's power by fear while the loyal old retainers of the House hate her in silence. Terrified by a dangerous dream, she made the fatal mistake of sending offerings to Agamemnon's tomb to appease his wrath—far too slight a thing to appease him, and enough to rouse him to help his avengers. She is the play's looming threat and its irony: a queen whose own panic sets the machinery of retribution turning against her.

## Relationships

### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se/characters/orestes)

_family_

Mother and son locked in a deadly conflict over the murder of Agamemnon.

### [Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se/characters/agamemnon)

_family_

Husband and wife, but Clytemnestra murdered Agamemnon in betrayal.

### [Electra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se/characters/electra)

_family_

Mother and daughter estranged by Clytemnestra's murder of Agamemnon.

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

_rivalry_

Cassandra, Agamemnon's captive prophetess, is murdered by Clytemnestra.

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

_rivalry_

Cassandra, Agamemnon's captive prophetess, is murdered by Clytemnestra.

### [Orestes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se/characters/orestes)

_family_

Mother and son locked in a deadly conflict over the murder of Agamemnon.

## In the story

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

Mutilated Agamemnon's body; her dream of the serpent is traditional; her entrance is immensely important and sinister.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se/characters/clytemnestra
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_libation_bearers_se/characters