Uh, yeah, this myth has definitely got a little bit of revenge going on. In fact, when Atreus kills Thyestes' sons and feeds them to him, he probably wins the award for most twisted revenge ever. Thyestes does of course start the blood-feud by having an affair with Atreus's wife, stealing his golden fleece, and trying to take the throne, but Atreus's payback is pretty extreme to say the least. In the end, however, the cycle of revenge is passed on to the next generation, when Thyestes' son, Aegisthus, kills his uncle, Atreus, while later on, Atreus's sons, Agamemnon and Menelaus, banish and/or kill their uncle, Thyestes.

1. What vengeful acts does Thyestes take against his brother?
2. What do you think this story is trying to say about revenge? Explain your answer.
3. Is revenge ever justified? Why do you think so?
4. If vengeance were a cheeseburger, what topping would it have on it? Explain your answer. For real.