Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • In Greek mythology, Clytemnestra is the wife of King Agamemnon. She is a central figure in the tragic cycle of the House of Atreus, known for orchestrating the murder of her husband upon his return from the Trojan War.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • In Aeschylus's tragedy "Agamemnon," Clytemnestra awaits her husband's return with vengeful intent.
  • The character of Clytemnestra is often portrayed as a complex figure driven by motives of revenge and maternal grief.

Advanced Usage

• "A Clytemnestra-like figure": used to describe a person, typically a woman, who is perceived as treacherously vengeful, especially towards a spouse or authority figure.
  • The political dissident was portrayed by the regime as a Clytemnestra-like traitor.

Variants and Related Words

• Clytemnestran (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of Clytemnestra.
  • The actress gave a powerfully Clytemnestran performance, full of cold fury and calculated resolve.

Synonyms

• Avenger: One who inflicts harm in return for a perceived wrong. (Note: This is a conceptual synonym relating to her primary narrative role, not a direct name substitute.)
• Matricide: The killer of a mother. (Note: This relates to a later part of her story, as she is killed by her son, Orestes.)

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "The curse of the House of Atreus": The multi-generational cycle of murder and revenge in which Clytemnestra's actions are a pivotal event.
• "The Oresteia": The trilogy of plays by Aeschylus (, , ) in which Clytemnestra is a principal character.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) wife of Agamemnon who had him murdered when he returned from the Trojan War