Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A figure in Greek mythology: Orestes is the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. He is a central character in a cycle of myths concerning the House of Atreus, known for avenging his father's murder.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • In the play, Orestes is tormented by the Furies after his act of vengeance.
  • The myth of Orestes explores themes of justice, family duty, and madness.

Advanced Usage

• The Orestes Complex: A term sometimes used in psychoanalytic discussion, though less common than the Oedipus complex, relating to a son's conflict involving the mother figure.
  • The analyst drew a parallel to the Orestes complex in the patient's narrative.

Variants and Related Words

• Orestesian (adj): Pertaining to Orestes.
  • The Orestesian tragedies are powerful works of ancient drama.

Synonyms

• The Avenger: A descriptive synonym referencing his primary mythological role.
• Son of Agamemnon: A patronymic reference to his lineage.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• The Oresteia: The trilogy of tragic plays by Aeschylus (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides) which dramatize the story of Orestes.

  • We studied the *Oresteia to understand the evolution of justice in Greek thought.*

• The Trial of Orestes: Refers to the pivotal scene in The Eumenides where Orestes is tried for matricide, often cited as a mythological foundation for legal courts.

  • The trial of Orestes in Athens symbolizes the transition from blood feud to trial by jury.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra; his sister Electra persuaded him to avenge Agamemnon's death by killing Clytemnestra and Aegisthus