I started reading the "Orestaia' today. I went into it really dragging my feet but I am finding that it actually isn't all that bad...even interesting. The essay at the beginning starts with reminding us all of the lovely beginnings of the fall of the House of Atreus. It truly is "the embodiment of savagery." (pg.15) What I found intriguing was Fagles comment on this families bent towards violence and revenge. Their's is certainly an exaggerated example but I think that it might actually be pointing the finger back at the reader. My point here is not to dig out the "moral" of "The Oresteia" but just to show the author's insight into the human condition. "It is as if crime were contagious", he says to describe this disfunctional family. One horrific act was committed and instead of working through the problems or simply allowing them to go by the wayside the sins of the fathers really are passed down through the generations...what more...by choice. Fagle also points out that the characters seem to thrive on pain. He is hinting that Atreus, Thyestes, Agamemnon, etc. actually want to take this burden upon their own shoulders because....well, maybe they wouldn't know what to do with themselves if there wasn't some holy tirade for them to go on that will inevitably define their lives? Perhaps they are motivated by the fear of non-existance. Someday they will die, and then what? Who will remember their legacy? (It is obvious that the idea of"legacy" is extremely important in the Greek culture.) Seeking out tradgedy seems to be a common thread throughout the Classical Tradition and I am sure that we will all find in "The Oresteia" as well. Also- I got to watch a really sweet ballet of this story the other day in Dance Appreciation. It was pretty cool to get to see it performed.