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62 pages 2 hours read

Costanza Casati

Clytemnestra

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Essay Topics

1.

Read Aeschylus’s Oresteia and compare the ancient Greek playwright’s portrayal of Clytemnestra with Casati’s reinvented version. How does Casati subvert the traditional interpretation of her actions as a queen? Use specific examples from both texts to support your analysis.

2.

Examine Casati’s portrayal of gender dynamics, focusing on the ways in which Clytemnestra overcomes the typical limitations of a female character in a patriarchal society? Cite specific examples to support your analysis.

3.

How does the historical context of ancient Greece influence the characters and the plot of Casati’s Clytemnestra? What aspects of the story reflect historical realities, and how does the author use creative license to transcend these details?

4.

Analyze Clytemnestra’s pursuit of power and ambition. How does her quest for power affect her relationships and decisions, and how do other characters illustrate different aspects of this theme?

5.

Examine the complexity of family relationships, especially those between Clytemnestra, Helen, and their other siblings. How does Clytemnestra’s relationship with her family of origin affect the course of her life? Use specific examples to support your analysis.

6.

Analyze the narrative structure of the novel. How does the author’s choice of perspective impact the portrayal of the story and its characters?

7.

Examine the novel’s portrayal of the cultural and societal norms of ancient Greece. How do these norms impact the societal judgments of Clytemnestra’s life decisions?

8.

Analyze Clytemnestra’s leadership style as she transitions from a princess in Sparta to a queen in Mycenae. How does her approach to governance and justice reflect the values and practices of her Spartan upbringing? Compare her leadership to that of her male counterparts in the narrative.

9.

Explore the impact of Greek religion and philosophy on the novel. How do the beliefs and rituals of ancient Greek religion influence Clytemnestra’s decisions and the fate of other characters?

10.

Analyze the portrayal of love, especially the romantic and familial relationships that complicate Clytemnestra’s life. How do these relationships influence her decisions and the novel’s outcome?

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