The Libation Bearers: Second Stasimon: Ode on Crimes of Women
The recap, key beats, and evidence for Second Stasimon: Ode on Crimes of Women, without reopening the whole book.
Section recap · 1 min read
What happens in Second Stasimon: Ode on Crimes of Women.
The chorus sings about history's most notorious women who committed terrible acts against their families and lovers. The ode builds a case that female passion and treachery are ancient and recurring forces. It sets up Clytemnestra as part of a long line of dangerous women, priming the audience to see her murder as something almost inevitable.
The beats worth remembering.
Catalog of Infamous Women
The chorus lists women from myth who destroyed the men closest to them, framing Clytemnestra within a tradition of female violence rather than as a unique monster.
Altaea and the Burning Brand
The chorus recalls the story of Altaea, who caused her own son's death by burning the log tied to his life, showing how maternal love can turn into lethal rage.
Scylla's Betrayal
The chorus describes Scylla, who killed her father for an enemy's gift, adding another example of a woman who crossed the line from family loyalty to treachery.
The moments you can actually use later.
Mythic Precedent for Female Violence
The chorus draws on multiple myths to argue that women driven by passion have repeatedly destroyed their households, positioning Clytemnestra as the latest in a long series.
Maternal Betrayal as a Theme
The story of Altaea shows that even the bond between mother and child can be weaponized, which anticipates the central conflict Orestes faces in killing his own mother.
What to carry forward.
Clytemnestra Is Placed in a Pattern
The ode is not random mythology. It frames Clytemnestra's crime as part of a recurring human pattern, which makes Orestes' revenge feel more like correcting history than committing a new wrong.
The Chorus Sides with Orestes
By cataloging female crimes, the chorus signals where its sympathies lie. Students should note this as evidence that the play's moral framing is not neutral.
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How this guide is built
This guide is built from the original text to help you get oriented fast. It is designed for recall, paper planning, and getting unstuck, but it is still a paraphrased guide, not a substitute for the reading itself. Double-check anything important before you turn in formal work.