Discuss the significance of the Red Carpet scene in Agamemmon
Ans. The Red carpet scene has much importance in Aeschylus’ “Agamemnon.” This scene increases the tragic effect of this drama. This scene indicates that Agamemnon is going to be killed. A cat likes to play with a mouse before she catches it. Clytemnestra does the same thing giving Agamemnon a Red Carpet reception. This honour is fit only for the heavenly gods and goddesses. Agamemnon himself could perceive that he might have to face danger if he would receive this honour being only a mortal.
Clytemnestra had an evil motive. But she tries to conceal it showing a false display of good behaviour towards Agamemnon, her husband. Agamemnon is the mightiest king in Greece. He has recently come back from the foreign land after winning the battle of Troy. So Clytemnestra has decided to give him a warm reception spreading a red carpet on his way to the Palace. But there is a big gap between her intention and her activities.
This Red Carpet reflects a sort of revengeful motive of Clytemnestra’s mind. Ten years ago Clytemnestra lost her daughter, Iphigenia. She is sacrificed by her father in the name of Antemis to make the wind to blow. The death of her child makes a serious wound in her heart. At that time Clytemnestra also takes an oath that she will take revenge on Agamemnon by killing him.
Moreover, Clytemnestra makes an illicit love affair with Aegisthus during the absence of her husband, Agamemnon. She think that Agamemnon will be killed in the battle of Troy and so he will never come back to his motherland.
On the contrary Agamemnon comes home safely. On his return Clytemnestra is not happy at all. But she pretends to be happy. She showers the words of praise on Agamemnon. she also attributes some qualities on him. She admires him as an ideal husband, successful king, brave man etc. A suspicion also raises in Agamemnon’s mind hearing the sweet words in the mouth of his wife.
Clytemnestra entreats to put a step on the Red Carpet. She inspires him to take pride after winning a long battle. She esteems him near to god. At first Agamemnon shows his reluctance to walk through the carpet. He thinks that he should not take much pride being only a mortal. He says:
“For honour due to gods alone.”
All the gods do not have the power of doing good to men as women have doing harm to them. Even the great men of the world cannot refuse the appeal of their wives. It is very difficult to argue with woman. The same case happens to Agamemnon who is tempted by his wife and put himself into danger walking through the carpet.
To sum up, it is now clear that the Red Carpet scene plays an important role in the play “Agamemnon”. This scene is a sort of indication that something dangerous is going to happen. A man should not be proud of his heroic deeds excessively. This Red Carpet honour is fit only for the heavenly gods and goddesses . It is not fit for a mortal like Agamemnon.
