About  The Play

Warning: Heavy Spoilers

The Backstory

The events of Euripides' Electra take place sometime between 1170 - 1180 B.C., around 20 years after the climactic Trojan War where King Agamemnon of Argos sieged and defeated the kingdom of Troy in 10 years of epic bloodshed.  Before his forces departed the shores of Argos, Agamemnon surrendered his own eldest daughter Iphigenia to ritual sacrifice to the Goddess Artemis, putting in motion his eventual murder by his outraged wife Clytemnestra and her newly secret husband Aegisthus.  

After the murder of Agamemnon, Aegisthus pronounced a death sentence on young Orestes, Agamemnon's only son, to prevent his eventual attempt at revenge.  Orestes was rescued by his tutor who brought him to the kingdom of Phocis where Orestes grew up in anonymity alongside his cousin Pylades.   When Orestes came of age, Apollo the God of healing and light would command Orestes to kill his mother and Aegisthus to wright the wrong of Agamemnon's death.  

Electra, meanwhile, was forced into a marriage at a very young age to an impoverished peasant so that her sons would have no power.  

These events that trigger our play are only the most recent ones of rage and bloodshed within the cursed House of Atreus.   It all began when Tantalus (Grandfather of Agamemnon) tested the Gods' omnipotence by inviting them over only to serve them a pie of his own son's flesh to see if they'd actually do it in ignorance of the horrific insult.   The Gods, thus enraged and in full knowledge, laid a curse upon his house and his descendants that sparked continual bloodshed and mistrust within the family that ruled over Argos.  

The Plot and Themes of Electra

Euripides' Electra is a warning against rage in the form of Greek Tragedy. This story, which follows the same events as plays by Sophocles and Aeschylus, uses themes of grief, fear, and guilt to warn audiences of the danger of rage. The following events take place during Electra:

Electra's noble but impoverished husband sets the scene, and Electra laments her sorrows and rage as a chorus of young Argive girls attempt to lift her spirits and redirect her anger.   Orestes and Pylades, disguised, question Electra of her past and her current circumstances.  An old, old man who took Orestes from Argos and is trusted within the family is invited to Electra's house, and he recognizes Orestes. The siblings happily reunite, and Orestes is welcomed with euphoria by the chorus.

After their reunion, Orestes, Electra, and the Old Man plot to kill Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Orestes, upon hearing news of Aegisthus whereabouts, leaves with Pylades to kill him at a ritual sacrifice of an Ox. Electra sends the Old Man to deliver a false message to Clytemnestra: that Electra has given birth to a child and Clytemnestra must travel to Electra's home to bless the newborn baby. There, Electra will kill her mother. Pylades recounts Orestes' success in the killing of Aegisthus.  Orestes returns and they await the arrival of their mother.

Clytemnestra comes to the house, curious about Electra's condition and expressing regret for the exile of her children while defending her prior actions.  She enters the house, and is forced to plead for her life which causes Orestes to hesitate.  Electra then forces Orestes' blade into Clytemnestra's chest, killing her after several strikes. The two dead bodies of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra are brought out.  Instead of great success and pride among the people, there is an odd weight of regret and discomfort. Orestes has just unwillingly killed his mother, and Electra is not satisfied. The siblings and chorus try unsuccessfully to reassure themselves that all is well now, but they know that the Gods have a special punishment for those who kill their mothers.

Just then, the twin gods Castor and Pollux descend and scorn the humans for their great misdeeds, but place the blame on the the God Apollo's unjust command to Orestes, and Electra's rage on her family's curse.  They decree that Orestes must stand trial at the Hill of Ares to avoid the terrible Furies who pursue those who commit matricide.  They also decree that Pylades shall return to Phocis to care for Electra as his bride.

In deep sorrow, the siblings part once again, fearing they may never again see each other again, uncertain of their future while certain that Electra's enraged revenge has heaped more grief upon them.  

Characters: 

Chorus:

The chorus is a collection of younger girls who are stuck outside the city of Argos. Most are young maidens who will soon be married, ranging from ages 14 to 18. They are friends of Electra and watch, like an audience member, the struggles she endures. Their presence can reflect the current times, stories of the past, and warnings about the future. Often in the show they join in song about the history of various characters and traditional tales the people of Argos are familiar with. In this production of Electra, the chorus will serve as a bridge between the world of Electra and the audience.

Peasant:

The Peasant is the man Aegisthus and Clytemnestra marry Electra to. By marrying her to a lower social class they are able to reduce her power. The Peasant feels unworthy of Electra and does not take advantage of her situation - he is a good man. Though Electra resents the marriage, they do have a level of respect for one another.

Electra (ey-LEK-trah):

Daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, has become more and more vengeful and rageful for the murder of her father and her banishment to poverty. To the people in Argos she is known as “poor Electra”.  She hopes for her brother Orestes' arrival, knowing that only together can she get revenge. 

Orestes (oh-RES-tays):

Son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Orestes is the brother of Electra, who was stolen to safety when Aegisthus came into power. He was taken care of by his uncle Strophius, King of nearby Phocis, where he developed an incredibly strong relationship with his son Pylades.  He was very young when Agamemnon was killed and is now grown, aware that it is his God-demanded duty to avenge his father.  When he is reunited with his sister, Electra is quick to urge him to kill Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Orestes is more hesitant in this, experiencing the push and pull of duty and morality. 

Pylades (pee-LAH-days):

Pylades is the closest friend of Orestes. His mother is Agamemnon’s sister Anaxibia and his father is Strophius, King of Phocis.  Strophius protected Orestes when he was exiled by Aegisthus so Pylades and Orestes grew up together, developing a strong bond. Orestes consistently consults with Pylades as a confidant and is dependent on his presence.

Old Man: 

The Old Man has known Electra and Orestes since they were babies, having been a tutor in their home.  He was the one who rescued Orestes from certain death at the hands of Aegisthus when he was only a child.   The Old Man has many memories of the siblings' childhood and genuinely cares for them. 

Clytemnestra (klai-tem-NEY-strah):

Clytemnestra is the wife of Agamemnon and mother of Electra and Orestes.  She, like Electra, has been defined by her need for vengeance, as the husband she killed murdered her oldest daughter in ritual sacrifice to Artemis to service an unnecessary war.  

Castor (KAH-store) and Pollux (pah-lu-DAY-oo-keys):

Castor and Pollux are twin demigods and are Clytemnestra’s divine brothers; uncles to Electra, Orestes, Iphigenia, and Chrysothemis. The twins share the same mother, while Castor’s father is mortal and Pollux’s father is Zeus. The pair are well known horsemen and boxers which led to them being regarded as patrons of athletes and athletic contests. Furthermore, they traditionally appear in moments of crisis as they do in the play - reaching out to aid Orestes and Electra in their time of need. The twins symbolize the bond of brotherhood and the strength of this bond even after death.