Summary
The tragedy unfolds in Mycenae at dawn, where Orestes and his companion, Paidagogos, stand solemnly before the palace of Agamemnon, slain by treachery. The god Apollo has tasked Orestes with avenging his father's murder, not through open warfare but through cunning and stealth. To deceive their enemies, Orestes devises a plan: Paidagogos will carry a funeral urn filled with ashes and declare that Orestes has died in a chariot accident.
Electra's Mourning
Electra appears on stage, consumed by sorrow over her father’s brutal death and yearning for her brother, Orestes, to return so they can avenge the wrongs done to their family. A Chorus of Mycenaean women enters, echoing her grief with a "kommos," a song of lamentation. They counsel Electra to accept her circumstances and remind her of life's inevitabilities, cautioning against allowing her emotions to run wild with the repeated advice: "Do not feed your frenzy."
A Sister's Resistance
Electra's sister, Chrysothemis, joins the scene, and Electra implores her to assist in avenging their father's death. Yet, Chrysothemis hesitates, torn between rationality and fear. She exits, leaving Electra to continue her mourning, as the Chorus persistently urges Electra to find reason in her madness, though they acknowledge the justice in her desire for vengeance.
Foreboding Dreams
Chrysothemis returns with unsettling news: Aegisthos, their mother's new husband, plans to confine Electra as punishment for her relentless public grieving. She also discloses their mother's disturbing dream, which compelled Clytemnestra to send Chrysothemis with offerings for Agamemnon’s grave, hoping to appease the spirits.
A Mother's Justification
Clytemnestra confronts Electra, attempting to rationalize the murder of Agamemnon, which she partly executed to avenge their daughter Iphigeneia's sacrifice. Electra challenges her mother's reasoning, questioning why Clytemnestra would marry her husband's murderer if Iphigeneia’s revenge was her only motive. She views her father's actions, including the sacrifice, as necessary to fulfill the gods' demands and ensure the Greek fleet's journey to Troy.
False Tidings
The disguised Paidagogos arrives, posing as a traveler with fabricated news of Orestes's death. Clytemnestra's emotions are conflicted; sorrow for her son's demise mingles with relief that Agamemnon's avenger is no longer a threat. Electra, devastated by the news, is consoled by the Chorus, who continue to advise acceptance, while Clytemnestra finds comfort in believing she is safe from Electra’s vengeance.
Unveiling the Truth
Chrysothemis enters with joyful news of Orestes’s arrival, deducing this from offerings she discovered at Agamemnon's grave, likely left by Orestes. Electra informs her sister of the supposed death of Orestes, leading both to mourn anew, unaware of the tragic irony: Orestes is alive and nearby. The sisters' grief deepens, enveloped in irony as the reality remains concealed.
Orestes' Revelation
Disguised as a traveler, Orestes reappears to recount his own death. Overwhelmed by Electra's heartfelt sorrow, he reveals his true identity and outlines his plan to exact revenge. Together with Paidagogos, Orestes performs a ritual purification before they enter the palace, Electra joining them, as the Chorus narrates the ensuing act of retribution, culminating in Clytemnestra's demise.
The Final Act
Aegisthos returns, jubilant at the false news of Orestes’s death. Entering the palace to view Orestes's supposed body, he instead discovers Clytemnestra’s lifeless form. The play concludes with Orestes leading Aegisthos offstage, fate sealed, to meet his end.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.