Abstract

This article presents the literary comparison of two female characters: Clitemnestra in the trilogy of Esquilo, named La Orestía, and Christine Mannon in the trilogy of Eugene O’Neill entitled Mourning Becomes Electra. Following theoretical precepts of comparative literature and of gender approaches, the similarities, differences, achievements and limitations of these two strong and polemic heroines will be analyzed. Their thoughts and actions are usually criticized since they will be depicted and conditioned by the perceptions of two male writers who belong to patriarchal societies of their respective epochs.

Key Words: Female characters; comparative literature; La Orestía; Mourning Becomes Electra; Esquilo; Eugene O’Neill