What Happens at the End of The Oresteia?

The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BC, concerning the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, the end of the curse on the House of Atreus and the pacification of the Erinyes. The trilogy—consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides—also shows how the Greek gods interacted with the characters and influenced their decisions pertaining to events and disputes. The only extant example of an ancient Greek theatre trilogy, the Oresteia won first prize at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. The principal themes of the trilogy include the contrast between revenge and justice, as well as the transition from personal vendetta to organized litigation. Oresteia originally included a satyr play, Proteus, following the tragic trilogy, but all except a single line of Proteus has been lost.

Andrew Watkins's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Obi Abili (Agamemnon)'s journey. The trilogy—consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides—also shows how the Greek gods interacted with the characters and influenced their decisions pertaining to events and disputes.

How Does Obi Abili (Agamemnon)'s Story End?

• Obi Abili: Obi Abili's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Helen Carey (Nurse/Chorus F): Helen Carey's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Kelley Curran (Clytemnestra): Kelley Curran's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Oresteia Mean?

The ending of The Oresteia brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Obi Abili's story may not satisfy all audiences.