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Justice was Revenge The Greek playwright Aeschylus explores the theme of justice in The Oresteia, a compilation of three plays, which traces the progress of justice. Agamemnon, the earliest play in the trilogy, portrays justice as revenge. Aeschylus’ vivid imagery depicts Agamemnon returning home from the battle of Troy only to be savagely murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra. According to the old law of ancient times, when a blood relative is murdered the next of …

…rays of dawn” (40). All is revealed in the final play, when ! night descends and the truth is revealed. In addition, The Oresteia is about the possibilities for realizing justice in the fullest sense of the word. According to Aeschylus, justice needs to progress with the society or justice is not accomplishing what it should. Aeschylus’ portrayal of justice as revenge evolves into a society that rebels against autocratic justice and embraces civic justice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**