In the past few books/plays we have read there has been this theme of ethics, what is truly right and wrong? Yet what we would see as wrong such as incest, trickery, murder is permissable to the Greek gods. In the scence of the trial Athena once again saves a man that takes favor to her as she staes " I will cast my lot for you. No mother gave me birth. I honour the male in all things but marriage. Yes, with all my heart I am my Father's child. ....... Even if the vote is equal, Orestes wins." (pg. 264) Orestes and Athena are alike in that they are a image or mirror of their fathers. Oretes only kills his mother to avenge the father he loved and respected as Athena has no mother and therefore her only true family is Zeus. Then since she is a god she already commands that Oretes is free from his sins before the ballots are even turned in. SO WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE TRIAL?!?! Athena knew she would side with Orestes through it all, so why didnt she go ahead and tell the Furies to back off in the first place. Athena had to make her mark as a powerful god and command respect from the Furies by showing them that though this act of murder was still wrong she would make it right. We see as she takes them through this trial which clearly shows that Oretes is in the wrong only to crush their blood thirst with her authority. I'm on the side of the Furies that even though Athena is a god , no one can excuse and change what is right and what is wrong because you find favor. (Besides Jesus of course but thats a different story) It is hypocritical and evil is evil. Oretes should pay for what he has done!
I commented on Travis and Olivia's post.
YES!!! I too asked myself what as the point in the trial? If she knew that she was going to justify Orestes wrong doing then why even hold the trial? But I definitely see where you're coming from on the whole "Athena had to command respect from the furies". I didn't think about that!
ReplyDelete"The stronger your fear, your reverence for the just, the stronger your country's wall and city's safety." -Athena
ReplyDeleteAthena does not say that she will pardon Orestes no matter what. She says that if the vote is even, she will set him free, meaning she will be the tie breaker. I see where you are coming from, but be sure to watch the text closely. Athena, as the goddess of wisdom and justice would never pervert it, but does know the correct choice.
Whether or not Orestes is innocent is definitely up for debate, but Athena was definitely just and correct in her actions. Thank you for your post.