Carpet Red
Posted in rugs on 10/11/2007 10:44 am by admin
Carpet Red
Why does Clytaemnestra put down the red carpet for Agamemnon when he returns?
Why does Clytaemnestra put down the red carpet for Agamemnon when he returns?
“A red carpet refers to a red colored rug, usually fairly long, that would be rolled out so that various dignitaries would receive what was considered a suitable welcome. Initially, as in plays like Aeschylus’ 5th century BCE play Agamemnon the carpet may have been purple rather than red, although there are conflicting views on translation. In Aeschylus’ play, Agamemnon’s wife Clytemnestra lays down a carpet, red or purple, to trick her husband into thinking he’s getting a suitable welcome before she murders him. Agamemnon does speak of his suspicion and the temptation to anger the Gods by such treatment. Similar to the red carpet is the idea of strewing rose petals on the ground so that the feet of various dignitaries, royals, or others needn’t touch the ground with their feet.
While there’s dispute about carpet color in the Agamemnon, it’s quite likely that purple carpets would have been more standard than red Ancient Greece and Rome. Purple was the color from Ancient Greece that was associated with royalty, with Tyrian purple in Ancient Greece one of the most expensive dyes to purchase. So early red carpets were more than likely purple carpets.”
also “But Clytemnestra flatters him with his victories, and as he steps down onto the carpet, its vivid redness makes it look like an angry open wound, its colour representing the blood he spilt by sacrificing his virginal daughter, and the blood that is about to be spilt…
His blood.
For the carpet leads him into his palace and to his own death. The carpet takes him through the palace door which Clytemnestra closes behind him. It reopens some minutes later with Clytemnestra triumphantly holding an axe aloft as Agamemnon’s body lies lifeless at her feet on the blood-saturated carpet.
“That he might not escape nor ward away his death, like one who catches fish, I cast around him a net with no way out,” she exclaims. “I struck him twice and with two great cries he buckled at the knees and fell and belched out his life. As he died, he poured forth his blood and splattered me with a dark and crimson rain, and I rejoiced as the sown corn rejoices, drenched with god-given showers when buds break forth in spring.
Ever since, the carpet has been rolled out to give a regal welcome. It still symbolises the desire to prevent the dignitary from dirtying their feet – and in movie circles, its redness reminds the stars of the bruising words about to come their way from the critics, although Atonement and the beach scene have been showered in nothing but praise.”"
Brangelina dazzle on the red carpet
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