Orestes as an Ancient Greek Hero Character essay
The Orestia by Aeschylus shows Orestes as a true hero, who acts as a hero, thinks as a hero, and confronts dangers and gods as a hero. In such a way, Aeschylus attempted to depict the ancient Greek hero, who acts and lives according to Greek norms, traditions and ideals of heroism.
Orestes personifies the hero character in the play, who acts justly. However, he becomes a hero, when he suffers severe pain because: “Nothing forces us to know. What we do not want to know except pain” (Aeschylus, 2012, p.131). His sufferings are attributes of the true Greek hero because a person cannot become a hero for Greeks, if he has never suffered and felt pain. Orestes is the person, whose moral sufferings are enormous. Nevertheless, as a hero he copes with his sufferings and overcomes them successfully that is also the feature attributed to the true hero. At the same time, re-establishment justice through the revenge for the death of the father is the attribute of a hero in the ancient Greek society. Orestes acts as a hero killing Clytemnestra, who was responsible for the death of his father. Even though he suffers, he is always aware of his moral duty to revenge that made him a hero in the perception of the public in ancient Greece.
Orestes faces the trial headed by ancient Greek gods, including Athena, who is apparently on his side. In such a way, the author attempts to show that gods support the feeling of revenge in the main character and Athena stands for Orestes during the trial. And again Orestes acts as a hero since he confronts the trial being certain in the righteousness of his deed. He does not even think of escape and even Athena notices his strife for his righteousness: “You wish to be called righteous rather than act right. […] I say, wrong must not win by technicalities.” (Aeschylus, 2012, p.193). Instead, he is bold and ready to accept the decision of the court.
Orestes, as a hero, confronts not only the prosecution from the part of gods and people but he also confronts remorse: “Wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain” (Aeschylus, 2012, p.128). Orestes becomes wise and suffers from his wisdom that is the characteristic of the true Greek hero, who is wise and aware of his wisdom. As a hero, he confronts the severe internal conflict and suffers because he considers his act could be totally wrong. Therefore, the true hero is not afraid of gods and his own remorse. Instead, he acts boldly and justly.
Therefore, the hero of Aeschylus Orestia, Orestes, is a symbol of revenge but, at the same time, he is a symbol of the traditional Greek hero, who faces numerous challenges and overcomes them successfully. He suffers the external and internal pressure but, as a true hero, he acts responsibly, boldly and bravely. He overcomes his sufferings, challenges gods and people but acts in accordance to his moral duty and responsibility. This is why Orestes is perceived as the true ancient Greek hero, the person, who often neglects common well-being for the sake of the fulfillment of his duty.
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