"Neither Anarchy nor tyranny, my people. Worship the mean, I urge you, shore it up with reverence and never banish terror from the gates, not outright. Where is the righteous man who knows no fear? The stronger your fear, your reverence for the just, the stronger your country's wall and city's safety."
- Athena Lines 709-715
Even though this piece of the text was almost a sub-point of Athena's speech to the juror's she selected, I find it beautifully written. The reason this is so beautiful is the fact that the time period in which this was written did not get to see the fullness of its meaning. Even though democracy and order were respected greatly in Greece, more specifically Athens, they were never fulfilled. The government was always full of corruption.
Though the content of this speech has never been truly reached, its message is still true. There is a middle point between tyranny and anarchy that is the perfect governing system (very similar to Aristotle's "Golden Mean"). Just as tyranny and anarchy are put on two ends of the spectrum, fear and irreverence are put in opposition. This comparison speaks volumes into not only the pagan culture of Greece but also into the Christian culture throughout the centuries. Righteousness is not found in comfort or pride, it is found in fear (respect).
In summary, fear is necessary for the advancement of a society (the city), preferably a fear of higher power or respect for justice. Without this fear, matricide would be acceptable in any condition, even outside of Orestes' predicament. I know that is quite an assertion, but it is for this purpose I believe Athena brings this idea in-- to make sure that this trial is treated respectfully and that any situations that follow are not directly influenced by its result. She destroys the ability to mince her words and justify an unjust action, thus preserving her ideals even further.
P.S. I commented on Morgan Bates and Francesca Garcia's posts.
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