How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
(Chorus of Furies): "See how you are pleading for this man's acquittal! When he has shed his mother's blood—his own kin's! —on the ground, is he then to live in his father's house in Argos? And what altars is he to use—the public ones? What brotherhood will admit him to its rituals of sprinkled water?" (652-656)
Here we see the Furies picking up the idea of guilt-as-pollution that we saw Orestes exhibit when he bathed in pig's blood. But, if they're so wrapped up in this particular idea of guilt, why don't they accept the fact that Orestes has already been purified?
Quote #8
(Athena): "You are not dishonoured—and do not from excessive anger blight the land of mortal men, goddesses that you are! I too have my trust—in Zeus; and what need I say? Besides, I alone of the gods know the keys of the house in which his lightning is sealed—but there is no need for it: be ready to let me persuade you, and do not throw out a wild tongue's threats against the land, for all things which bear crops to do badly. Lull the waves of your black anger in its bitter force to sleep, for you are to be honoured with awe, and be the sharer of my home. When you have the first-fruits of this great land for evermore, sacrifices made for children and for marriage's fulfillment, you will be grateful for my speech." (824-836)
Here we see how the theme of Guilt and Blame can flow pretty easily into the theme of Forgiveness. So what's the connection? Well, basically, Athena has to get the Furies to forgive Orestes—and herself and Athens, for letting him go. But the problem with that is that the Furies have tied up their pursuit of Orestes very closely with their own self-respect. By letting Orestes off the hook, they risk blaming themselves for losing face, and the guilt that results from that could be disastrous. Only by treating the Furies nicely, by giving them an opportunity to save face, can Athena get them to forgive and forget, without causing Guilt and Blame for themselves, and pain for everyone else.
Quote #9
(Athena): "I will not tire in telling you the good things, so you may never say you are dismissed from this land without honour or hospitality, an ancient goddess rejected by a younger one, myself, and by the mortal men who hold the city. No, if you hold Persuasion sacred in her majesty, who gives my tongue its soothing and winning way—well then, please remain; but if to remain is not your wish, you would not be right to let any wrath or rancor weigh down upon this city, or harm for her people. You may have a settled holding in this land and be rightly held in honour for ever." (881-891)
Here Athena tries to use persuasion to bring the Furies on board to the new way of doing things. What is the importance of getting the Furies to actively agree to the new state of affairs in eliminating their feelings of guilt and blame at not having captured and punished Orestes?