Clytemnestra: Villain, Anti-Hero, or Maligned Mother?
Greek mythology is well known for its dramatic twists & turns. So buckle up for the ride of your life with Clytemnestra, a Spartan princess born to King Tyndareus and Queen Leda. From potentially divine parentage to a tumultuous marriage with King Agamemnon, Clytemnestra’s life is a web of deceit, betrayal, and revenge. While history has painted her as a villain, a closer examination of her story reveals a woman navigating a world dictated by the whims of capricious gods and patriarchal power structures.
Origins and Complex Family Ties:
Born to King Tyndareus and Queen Leda, Clytemnestra’s lineage is a tangled knot of divine intervention. Zeus, the infamous swan, played his part in her creation, blurring the lines between mortal and divine. Yet, in a world steeped in mythical tales, does it truly matter who sired whom?
Marriage and Exile:
Agamemnon and Menelaus sought refuge in the home of King Tyndareus. In “due time,” Agamemnon married Clytemnestra, yet some versions of the myth suggest she was previously wed to King Tantalus of Pisa or the King of Lydia. Regardless of the variations, Clytemnestra’s resilience shines through as she adapts to the challenges presented by her tumultuous marital and political life.
The Trojan War and Sacrifice of Iphigenia:
As the Trojan War loomed, Agamemnon deceived Clytemnestra & sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia, to appease the gods so he could go to war. He then left Clytemnestra for the next 10 years so he could war alongside his brother, Menelaus.
Betrayal and Revenge:
The decade-long absence of Agamemnon during the Trojan War fueled Clytemnestra’s emotional turmoil. Devastated and betrayed, she found solace in a love affair with Aegisthus, Agamemnon’s cousin, whose motivation for revenge stemmed from his own father’s betrayal. Together, they plotted the downfall of the returning king, driven by a potent mixture of grief, betrayal, and a thirst for justice.
The Assassination of Agamemnon:
The climactic return of Agamemnon from Troy ended in tragedy, with Clytemnestra and Aegisthus orchestrating his demise. Whether Aegisthus slit his throat or Clytemnestra entangled him in a deadly net, the act symbolized the culmination of Clytemnestra’s pent-up anguish and resentment.
The Reign and Legacy:
Aegisthus and Clytemnestra assumed the throne, ruling together for seven years and bearing three children. In a cruel twist of fate, Clytemnestra met her demise at the hands of her son with Agamemnon, Orestes, who sought revenge for the death of his father. The subsequent torment faced by Orestes at the hands of The Furies highlights the cyclical nature of vengeance in Greek mythology.
Conclusion:
Clytemnestra’s story transcends the simplistic labels of “villain” or “bitch-face.” It is a poignant narrative of a woman navigating a world defined by gods and men. As we revisit Clytemnestra’s tale, let’s recognize the layers of her character, the injustices she endured, and the complexities that make her a figure worthy of understanding and empathy in the ever-evolving discourse of feminist perspectives.
References:
- https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/09/the-deadliest-femmes-fatales-of-ancient-greek-mythology/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clytemnestra
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Clytemnestra-Greek-mythology
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Electra-daughter-of-Agamemnon-and-Clytemnestra
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erinyes#Aeschylus
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/clytemnestra-of-greek-mythology-character-analysis-lesson-quiz.html
Virginia Hill: Queen of the Mob
Mob history boasts big names: Al Capone, John Gotti, the list goes on. But one woman transcended ranks to become a key player in the Chicago Outfit and rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful. Onie Virginia Hill, born on August 26, 1916 in small-town Alabama, swindled amongst the biggest & best in the mob scene.
Early Years and Marriage:
Virginia, the seventh of ten children, faced adversity early in life when her parents split due to her father’s alcoholism and abusive nature. After dropping out of school at the age of 15, she married George Randall and moved to Chicago, where her life took an unexpected turn.
Chicago World’s Fair and Mob Connections:
Working at the San Carlo Ristorante during the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, Virginia found herself entangled with the mob. Her connection to Joseph Epstein, an affluent bookie, marked the beginning of her involvement with the Chicago Outfit. Known for her “no-nonsense demeanor,” she became a central clearing house for mob operations intelligence.
Rise to Prominence and New York Connections:
Virginia’s role expanded to include swindling men for imaginary investments and carrying stolen goods. After a deal between the Chicago Outfit and the Luciano gang, Virginia traveled to New York, rising to prominence in social circles. However, her brief affair with mobster Bugsy Siegel caused tensions between the Luciano gang and the Chicago Outfit.
Return to Georgia and Hollywood Connections:
Following the dissolution between the crime outfits, Virginia returned to Georgia and briefly made headlines for a spat with Errol Flynn. Her return to Chicago in 1939 marked a whirlwind of marriages, including one to Mexican dancer Carlos “Miguelito Valdez” Valadez Gonzalez. Virginia convinced the Chicago Outfit to invest in a New York club where she used her bilingual skills for drug trafficking.
Affairs, Connections, and Hollywood Dreams:
Virginia’s life continued to be marked by affairs with influential figures like Carl Laemmle, Jr., and Louis Dragna. Reconnecting with Bugsy Siegel in Los Angeles, she eventually moved to Las Vegas to keep tabs on Siegel’s involvement in the Flamingo resort.
The Downfall and International Exile:
After Siegel’s death, Virginia faced increased scrutiny from authorities. She faced suicide attempts and was later subpoenaed to testify at the Kefauver Committee hearings. Evading the truth, she left the country with her husband Hans Hauser, owing substantial back taxes. Their journey took them from the United States to Chile and Europe, making border crossings to revisit her fortune.
Final Years and Legacy:
Despite maintaining ties with the mob and struggling with suicide attempts, Virginia’s life came to a tragic end with a sleeping pill overdose in Austria on March 24, 1966. Her attempts to travel to Cuba for funds were thwarted, and she left a legacy as the “star witness” of the Kefauver Committee hearings.
Conclusion:
Virginia Hill’s life is a complex tapestry of crime, glamor, and international intrigue. From her early struggles in the American South to her rise as a prominent figure in organized crime, Virginia’s story continues to captivate those drawn to the enigmatic world she navigated.