The House of Atreus Act II

Act II: Scene 1: Agamemnon and Clytemnestra

Agamemnon: If I don't kill her, Artemis will not be satisfied and my army will be unable To go to Troy.

Clytemnestra: I won't let you kill my daughter just because Helen's a harlot.

Agamemnon: Your sister may be that, but I swore to my brother that I would get her back.

Clytemnestra: Menelaus should let Paris keep her. If Helen strays from him that quickly, then she does not deserve him as a husband.

Agamemnon: I promised to get her back.

Clytemnestra: What have you to gain if I kill Iphigenia?

Agamemnon: The fall of Troy and my life, perhaps Artemis will forgive me. You know, she's biased against men. I think she is a lesbian.

Clytemnestra: OK, back to the point, I grant you permission to kill Iphigenia.

Agamemnon: Thank you, dear, I will. (Kisses her, she flinches, he exits.)

Clytemnestra: He won't kill her. He values her above his own life.

Act II: Scene 2: Aulis

Agamemnon, Clytemnestra and Iphigenia walk out on stage. Toward the center of the stage there is an alter. On both sides of the alter stand two soldiers.

Soldier #1: (To Iphigenia) Stop right there!

Iphigenia: (To her parents) What's going on?

Soldier #2: You'll soon find out. (The soldiers grab her and pin her down.)

Iphigenia: Mommy, daddy, help me!

(Agamemnon approaches, ready to strike, with tears in his eyes.)

Agamemnon: Sorry, but this is the way it has to be.

Clytemnestra: (Hysterically) No, no… Take me instead!

(Agamemnon strikes with all force he could muster at her neck.)

(Clytemnestra collapses and starts to cry uncontrollably.)

Agamemnon: (To Clytemnestra) I'm sorry, but it had to be done. (He then exits with both of the soldiers.)

Clytemnestra: (Screaming) I'll get you for this Agamemnon, mark my words, I will get you. Do you hear me? I'm going to kill you!

Act II: Scene 3: The Return of Agamemnon

Ten years have passed. Troy has been conquered and Agamemnon is returning home. At the house, Clytemnestra is preparing her vengeance against him.

Agamemnon: Dear Clytemnestra, I have returned!

Clytemnestra: Obviously.

Agamemnon: Oh, how I have missed that sarcastic wit. I have brought you many gifts from Troy. I hope you enjoy them. I too have received many gifts from my army. One of them is Cassandra, (gesturing to Cassandra) a Trojan princess and prophetess. Let us go inside.

(Agamemnon and Clytemnestra enter the house, but Cassandra lingers. She takes a long look at the House of Atreus.)

Cassandra: So this is where I will die. (She walks into the house.)

Act II: Scene 4: The Fate of Cassandra and Agamemnon

The scene opens to the kitchen, Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus, are sharpening their weapons on a whetstone.

Clytemnestra: (Whispering) Are you ready?

Aegisthus: As ready as I'll ever be.

Clytemnestra: Now remember, I'll kill his harlot and you'll kill Agamemnon.

They sneak up behind Agamemnon and Cassandra. They lift up their weapons to produce a powerful blow at their backs.

Act II: Scene 5: The Final Verdict

Athene: The death of Agamemnon caused Orestes to kill his mother and her lover. He killed her while she lay on the floor, begging for her life. But, he struck her, a defenseless woman. The curse had much to do with Orestes' actions, but so did the words of Apollo. He told Orestes to destroy his father's murderers. Yes, this man is guilty, but he destroyed murderers. It was an act of vengeance, and a just one. Orestes has been tortured by the Furies for years now and has suffered enough. He has paid for his crime and should be allowed to walk away freely.

Orestes: Might I be allowed to speak?

Athene: Might as well.

Orestes: I am truly sorry for killing my mother, Clytemnestra. It was my fault and mine alone. Please forgive me for this horrible deed.

Athene: Because you have sought forgiveness, it is granted to you. Never again will you or any of your descendants be cursed like the previous members of the House of Atreus.

Orestes: Thank you, oh Wise Athene. I am truly grateful.

Athene: Athene locuta est, causa finita est. (Athene has spoken, the case is closed.)

A/N: Hope you found that entertaining. Please be kind and review!