The People vs. Orestes :: essays research papers

The the great unwashed v. OrestesIn the last portion of The Orestia, titled The Euminides, Aeschlyus describes the trial of Orestes, who is brought in front of a jury on the charge of matricide. The jury hands in a tied verdict and the goddess Athena casts the deciding vote in favor of Orestes. This of course begs the question Was Athenas decision fair? I intend that this decision was in the best interest of fairness because Orestes was motivated by Apollo, enraged by the murder of his father, and aggrieved by the vicious cycle of a kindly behavior that was running rampant in his family. Often, jurists, counselors, judges, politicians, and citizens alike are called upon to appropriate the difference (and subsequently choose) between the interests of fairness and justice. While Athenas decision expertness not have carried out the value of justice, it upheld the advantages of liable fairness.The supporting rationalization, I listed above might not have been taken into Athenas con sideration of this baptistry however, one must consider the practical application of the verdict. This application ceased the Taleonic spirit that had befitted the House of Atrius. Although it is difficult to imagine that this action was in the interest of fairness, the employ perspective that the outcome was more important the means, supplied the burden of proof for this acquittal. many another(prenominal) parallels between modern American juris prudence and that applied in Orestes case can be illustrated, with a primary focus on share creating a reasonable doubt. To better belowstand this concept one should utilise the conditions of this case in a modern setting. If Orestes were called forward, on the same charges under the jurisdiction of a United States court of law, would he have been exonerate? Furthermore, would similar circumstances be sufficient to create a reasonable doubt? By my estimation, I would suggest so. It is easy to assume that parliamentary legal standar ds (standards of law favored by most citizens) are complex in a constant evolutionary process. Subsequently, one is lead to the commentary that ancient cultures would most likely subscribe to hedonistic principles however, examination of The Orestia proves otherwise. bonnie like the final decree of Athena, most modern juries would see Clytaemnestra as a catalyst for Orestes homicide. This illustrates that while specific legislations evolve to mirror social change, the foundational essence of democratic trial-law remains unmolested. Orestes was by no means impartial of matricide.