How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used Christopher Collard's translation.
Quote #10
(Chorus to Clytemnestra): "Great indeed and heavy in its anger
for this house is the demon you praise –
no! no! it is wrong, this praising is wicked – insatiable for ruin's success –
oh, grief indeed! – through Zeus
the all-causing, the all-doing.
For what is fulfilled for mortals without Zeus?
What is there in things here which god has not ordained?" (1481-1488)
Here, the Chorus is arguing against Clytemnestra's excuse for killing Agamemnon and Cassandra: "A demon made me do it." The Chorus says that Zeus is the cause of everything. But if this is true, that would mean that Zeus is the cause of the killing. Can the Chorus really mean this? If they do, why do they keep blaming her? Are they simply confused?