DISCUSSION: Lines 53-55 give a good summary of Lesky’s view. He thought that the gods constrained Agamemnon’s choice, but that he did have a choice. Agamemnon could have saved his daughter, but only by giving up his dreams of victory.
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- The gods wanted Agamemnon to sacrifice his own daughter. Surely he would have preferred not to, if he could have achieved victory some other way.
- Not so. Lines 46-47 say that the gods constrained Agamemnon.
- CORRECT. This is indirect, but true. Agamemnon decided to kill his daughter, because he wanted a victory. See lines 46-50.
- Not quite. Agamemnon wants wind, and victory. We have no idea whether he cares about Artemis, or whether he only wants what the goddess can give him.
- Lines 52-55 say that we should condemn Agamemnon for his desires. Lesky doesn’t think Agamemnon’s desire for victory makes sacrificing his daughter excusable.
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