Final answer:
The Watchman in the Oresteia symbolizes the anticipation of change and reflects themes of vigilance and the burden of knowledge. His character helps establish the play's focus on the cycle of violence and the need for rational justice. He emphasizes the dangers of hubris and the importance of the state as the upholder of justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Watchman in Aeschylus's Oresteia serves several functions that contribute to both the plot and themes of the play. The Watchman's role touches upon the themes of vigilance, the burden of knowledge, and the anticipation of change. His watchfulness and subsequent reaction to the signal fire announcing the fall of Troy set the stage for the play, embodying the transition from war to an uneasy peace that is laden with foreboding of further violence. The character underscores Aeschylus's theme that violence begets violence, which can only be interrupted by the intervention of reason and justice. Furthermore, the Watchman's musings about the state of the world reflect the overarching view that the state is the guarantor of justice and that individuals should act with humility to maintain their proper place within the social order.
The Watchman's character aligns with the Greek tradition of presenting a hero with virtues that nevertheless harbors a 'hamartia' or tragic flaw. His awareness of the ominous future paired with his inability to change the course of events highlights the human struggle against fate and the divine order. Through the Watchman's eyes, the audience is drawn into the play's world, where personal pride—hubris—is a sin against the gods and must be avoided to preserve the social fabric that the state champions.
The presence of the Watchman also echoes Aeschylus's focus on the harmonious integration of divine will and human reason. By beginning the play with the Watchman's vigil, Aeschylus sets the expectation that despite the gods' omnipotence, characters in the play will be held accountable for their actions and the ensuing cycle of violence, ultimately calling for a reasoned reconciliation to restore harmony.