Examples and Shit
Phusis/Nomos Scapegoat
Oresteia:
Agamemnon = Nomos Killed his daughter for his ppl/state. Not
based on emotions/family. Masculine because he wanted to go to
war. He accepted the responsibility or burden of state. Accepts
yoke of necessity.
Clytemnestra = Phusis Kills because of emotion for daughters
death. She chooses family over the state. She doesn’t think of the
consequences or listen to chorus = non-rational/nomos.
Cassandra = Phusis
Furies: Phusis = Emotional, Old, violent, want blood for spilled
family blood. Bloodhounds hunting down those committing
taboos. Matricide is a taboo and a family blood murder. More
significant than state declared Marriage.
- Eumenides = Nomos. Law abiding now. Motivation = agreement
with the state of Athens/Athena. In conjucttion with law not really
toa or vengeance blood thirst. Crime will be punished but under
law, rational set legal laws, no emotion, two sides of the story.
Orestes = Phusis. Kill Clytemnestra because of Anger at death
of Agamemnon. Commits taboo because of another tabooo.
Shouts at grave. He says he will be a serpant, Clytemnestra also
servant this connects them. Murder for revenge vengeance.
Electra = Phusis. Calls furies and brother for revenge even
though its her mom. Very angry wants revenge vengeance.
Athena = Nomos : Came out of Zeus’ forehead. Fought the
angry phusis furies! Athens = city of order wanted to preserve
order and tradition. Opted for a system of justice over exacting
revenge on Orestes. Masculine, always favors the man over
women because born only of man Zeus. Listened to Zeus about
Orestes. Doesn’t want to throw out Furies chooses justice and
reconciliation.
Apollo = Nomos : Masculine. Mother less important than father.
Different than orestes = motives. He wants Clytemnestra killed for
order and fate prophesy. Follows structure of Justice system.
Wants justice over blood thirst over family ties.
Agamemnon= Scapegoat. He took the problem of state onto
himself. Killed daughter for state. his fault stopped at port. Actions
for state = taboo sin = scapegoat
