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Agamemnon
The king of Argos, and one of the commanders of the Greek fleet. At the start of the play, he is returning victorious from the Trojan War. Although he is a well-respected leader, he does…
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Clytemnestra
The queen of Argos, and its ruler in her husband Agamemnon’s absence. She murders Agamemnon to avenge the death of their daughter, Iphigenia, whom Agamemnon sacrificed during the Trojan War to ensure his…
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Cassandra
The slave Agamemnon has taken back to Argos as his prize for winning the Trojan War. She is the daughter of Priam, king of Troy. A priestess of Apollo, she has the gift…
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The Chorus
A group of elderly citizens of Argos. These men were too old to fight in the Trojan War, but they have vast knowledge of the history of the war, as well as Agamemnon’s family…
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Aegisthus
Clytemnestra’s lover and accomplice, and Agamemnon’s cousin. Aegisthus and Agamemnon’s fathers were brothers. Agamemnon’s father Atreus killed several of Aegisthus’ brothers and fed them to their father Thyestes. After Clytemnestra murders Agamemnon…
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Get the entire Agamemnon LitChart as a printable PDF.
Menelaus
Does not appear onstage during the play. Agamemnon’s brother and King of Sparta. When Paris runs away to Troy with his wife Helen, he and Agamemnon raise a fleet to conquer Troy. During…
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Minor Characters
The Watchman
A guard at the palace who has been stationed to watch for a signal fire from Troy indicating the end of the war.
The Herald
A military messenger who brings the news that Agamemnon’s fleet has returned safely.
Iphigenia
Does not appear onstage during the play. The daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. Agamemnon sacrifices her during the Trojan War to win the favor of the goddess Artemis.
Artemis
Does not appear onstage during the play. The goddess, of hunting, animals, virginity, and childbirth. During the Trojan War, she to blocks the path of Agamemnon’s fleet until he makes a sacrifice to her. She is the sister of the god Apollo.
Paris
Does not appear onstage during the play. The prince of Troy and Cassandra’s brother.
Helen
Does not appear onstage during the play. Helen was married to Menelaus, but ten years prior to the start of the play, Paris abducted Helen and brought her to Troy, inciting the Trojan War. She is Clytemnestra’s sister.
Apollo
Does not appear onstage during the play. The god of sun, light, and knowledge, and Artemis’ brother. Apollo was in love with Cassandra and made her a prophet, but when she refused to bear his child, he cursed her so that no one would ever believe her prophecies.
Atreus
Does not appear onstage during the play. Agamemnon’s father. He murdered his brother Thyestes’ children and fed them to him.
Thyestes
Does not appear onstage during the play. Atreus’ brother and Aegisthus’ father.
Priam
Does not appear onstage during the play. King of Troy and father of Cassandra and Paris.
Orestes
Does not appear onstage during the play. The son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Orestes returns later in the trilogy to avenge his father’s murder.
The Furies
Goddesses who pursue and destroy anyone who “prospers in unjust ways.” The Furies become more important in the two plays that follow Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers and especially The Eumenides.
Zeus
The king of the gods and the god of thunder.
