Agamemnon's Death in Troy: Myth vs. Movie

Many are curious about the fate of Agamemnon in the epic tale of Troy. In Greek mythology, Agamemnon's death is a tragic narrative, different from the film adaptation by Wolfgang Petersen in 2004. This article explores Agamemnon's end in both the myth and the movie, highlighting the differences and similarities in the storytelling.

Agamemnon in Greek Mythology

In traditional Greek mythology, Agamemnon does not meet a dramatic end as portrayed in the movie Troy. Instead, he returns to his homeland, Argos, and Mycenae, triumphant yet bitter from the fall of Troy. According to the myths, Agamemnon brought home the Trojan princess Cassandra as a captive, a tragic symbol of his victory. However, upon his return, things took a dark turn.

Back in Argos, Agamemnon was met with a hostile homecoming. His wife, Clytemnestra, who harbored deep resentment towards him for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia before the expedition, had formed a close alliance with Aegisthus, who was Agamemnon's cousin and rival. This newfound partnership led to a fateful and bloody conclusion. As soon as Agamemnon and Cassandra returned, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus struck them down, ending their lives in cold blood. This act marked a significant turning point in the mythological narrative, setting the stage for further tragic events.

Agamemnon in the Film Troy

The filmmakers of Troy chose a more dramatic and personal approach to Agamemnon's death. In the movie, soldiers from the Greek side, including Briseis, a captive of the Trojans, are the perpetrators. According to the film, Agamemnon is killed by Briseis during a confrontation. The scene is set during a moment of triumph for the Greeks, specifically when Agamemnon grabs Briseis by her hair and threatens to take her as a slave and rape her while she prays before the statue of Apollo.

The film version of Agamemnon's death is a stark contrast to the myth. Instead of a personal vendetta against his wife, Agamemnon seems to be a gratuitous victim of a Greek soldier's rage. The choice to have a woman, a -relative of the Trojan royal house and a priestess of Apollo, kill him adds layers to the narrative, blending myth and character complexity.

Elements Retained from Myth in the Film

Despite the significant discrepancies in the end of Agamemnon's life, the film Troy does retain several elements from the Greek myths. Both versions end with Agamemnon being killed by a woman, and both narrative conclude with Agamemnon's death at the height of his triumph. Furthermore, the film portrays Briseis as having a dual role: she is a relative of the Trojan royal house and a priestess of Apollo, reminiscent of the mythological character Cassandra.

The attempted abduction of Briseis from sacred ground in the film bears a striking resemblance to the attempted rape of Cassandra by Ajax the Lesser in the mythical tale of Troy. The gods’ interference in these scenes only leads to further tragedy, as Cassandra, like Briseis, was ultimately consigned to someone else’s fate, in this case, Agamemnon.

Conclusion

Agamemnon's death in Troy and his death in Greek mythology share some common themes, such as the brutal end to a hero's life and the complex interplay of love, marriage, and betrayal. However, the specific circumstances and the execution of the death in the movie diverge from the traditional narrative.

This exploration of Agamemnon's fate in both forms reveals the depth of storytelling, where myth and film can interpret and re-imagine ancient tales, adding new layers of complexity and emotion.