Aeschylus' Agamemnon does not show men in a good light. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The watchman who opens the play shows himself to be quite pathetic.  He talks about how he hates his job, which he had been carrying out for the last ten years.  He talks how he dislikes Clytemnestra; this could be because it was her who gave the orders for him to watch for the beacons.  This makes him rather shallow and week, that he can not do any thing about it himself shows his insignificance from the eyes of Clytemnestra.  The fact he does nothing tohelp his situation shows his incompetance.

The chorus, who act as a voice of reason, also demonstrate how weak men are.  Especially as they are representing the old, supposidly the wiser men of Argos.  They are the only characters who are in a position to save or help Agamemnon however they do nothing when he is mudered even though they stand out side of the door and listen.

Aegisthus comes across as again weak, he stands strong behind Clytemnestra supporting all her actions yet never conduction any thing him self.  He is tyranical, threatens torture and death to the chorus.  It is apparent from the play that although he is on a more equal footing with Clytemnestra she still has the upper hand, still in control.

There are three men of importance in the play Agamemnon.  These are Agamemnon himself, Aegisthus his cousin, and the chorus who are made up from the elders; (Left behind as was too old to join the army before leaving for troy). None of these men play a particularly big role in the play.  However all are very important as are vital for the story and also for portraying Clytemnestra’s character as she is represented as a man through the play.  She can there for be compared and contrasted along side of these male characters.

The men in the play come across as weak, and have an unimportant role in the society, due to the control Clytemnestra has over them and the ruling of the country.  It is likely that they are characterised as weak to emphasise how bold, and strong Clytemnestra is as a character.  

There are not many ‘typical’ Greek characters in this play.  Clytemnestra shows no moderation which the stereotypical Greek women were meant to be, most her actions were similar to that of a man.  The men due to Clytemnestra they’re for that they