Electra

Electra Summary | Detailed Summary

Electra is a story that takes place years after the Greek ruler Agamemnon sailed to the city of Troy to help recapture his brother's wife, Helen. To buy Artemis' blessing on their voyage, Agamemnon had sacrificed a daughter, Iphigenia; he returned victorious after ten years. However, while Agamemnon was away, his wife Clytaemnestra had taken another man, Aegisthus, as her lover. When Agamemnon returned, his wife and her lover had murdered him, and as the story begins, Aegisthus rules the house.

The ancient Greek idea of justice decreed that it was the duty of a son to avenge his father's death. Electra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, had known that her mother and Aegisthus would kill her brother, Orestes, in order to save themselves from his vengeance; Electra had therefore saved Orestes' life by placing him in the care of a faithful friend, the Tutor. Electra and her sister, Chrysothemis, have continued to live in the house under Aegisthus' rule.

As the play opens, the Tutor has brought Orestes home to fulfill his duty and avenge his father. Orestes has learned from an oracle that he must do his duty alone, and so he and the Tutor plan to pretend that Orestes has died so that they can sneak him into the house. First, though, Orestes must go to the temple of Apollo and pay tribute to his father's grave.

At the palace where Aegisthus now rules, Electra comes outside and loudly mourns her father, wondering how long she must wait to see his murder avenged. Usually Aegisthus keeps Electra imprisoned in the house, but he is away, allowing her greater freedom. The Chorus, made up of townswomen, tries to comfort Electra and encourages her to let go of her misery. Electra argues that she will only find relief when her father's killers are dead. She is unmarried and childless, she says, as her whole life has been put on hold until her brother returns to do his duty.

The Chorus sympathizes with Electra, agreeing that her father was wrongly murdered. However, they insist that her refusal to accept things as they are is the reason for her continued misery. The Chorus counsels her not to "make evil more evil still" by hanging on to the past. Electra appreciates the women's efforts and apologizes for being inconsolable, but she believes that Nature forbids her to be content until her father is avenged and honor is restored to his house. She says, though, that she has waited so long for her brother's return that she has begun to lose hope.

Electra's sister, Chrysothemis, comes outside and scolds Electra for carrying on excessively. She says that she feels just as bad as Electra does but is determined no to make a show of it, since she can't do anything about the situation. In response, Electra accuses her sister of trying to play both sides. Electra feels that Chrysothemis trades her silence for comfort and privilege, while Electra is satisfied to live on the peace of mind that comes of knowing she has been true to her duty.

The Chorus admonishes the sisters not to quarrel, saying that there is truth in what both girls say and that each could learn from the other. Chrysothemis' then states the reason she came outside; she wants to warn Electra that her mother is planning to banish her as soon as Aegisthus returns, since Electra will not keep silent. Electra claims not to care. Then, she notices that her sister is carrying something.

Chrysothemis carries libations from their mother for their father's grave. Their mother has had a frightening dream about their father, and she hopes to pacify him with tribute. This gives Electra some hope that the time has come for Orestes to return, and her tone toward her sister becomes kinder. She convinces Chrysothemis to throw away her mother's gifts and leave locks of his daughters' hair on Agamemnon's grave instead. The Chorus agrees that to do so would be more respectful to Agamemnon's memory. Chrysothemis agrees, and though she is afraid her mother will find out, she goes to do as Electra asks.

The Chorus rejoices with Electra to hear of Clytaemnestra's dream, which they interpret as a sign from Agamemnon that Justice is on the move. Clytaemnestra arrives and argues with Electra. She complains that with Aegisthus away, Electra is taking advantage of the situation and ignoring her mother's instructions to stay indoors. Clytaemnestra goes on to defend her part in her first husband's murder, which she says was revenge for his sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia. According to Clytaemnestra, justice was on her side when she killed Agamemnon.

In response to this, Electra argues that her father had accidentally angered Artemis and had no choice but to sacrifice Iphigenia. Furthermore, she argues that revenge is not reason enough for what Clytaemnestra did. Electra becomes angrier and more distraught the more she talks, to the point that the Chorus says she is so angry that she is no longer very concerned with justice.

Clytaemnestra finally stops arguing with Electra and prays to Apollo, asking that she be protected from the harm foreshadowed by her dream. The Tutor arrives then, and no one recognizes him. He pretends to be a messenger from friends of Aegisthus, coming to announce that Orestes is dead as the result of a chariot accident. Electra despairs. Her mother has a moment of shock and sorrow at the loss of another child, but she's glad to be free of the threat of Orestes' revenge. She also hopes that this will finally silence Electra. Clytaemnestra brings the Tutor into the palace as an honored guest, while Electra grieves and declares that she will never enter the palace again. She is determined to lie down at the doorway and starve to death. The Chorus sympathizes and tries to comfort her.

Suddenly, Chrysothemis rushes happily into Electra's presence with the news that Orestes is there; she has found a lock of his hair on Agamemnon's tomb. However, Electra tells her of the messenger and his sad news; the girls conclude that someone may have left a lock of hair on the tomb in honor of the lost Orestes.

Electra asks Chrysothemis to join her in killing Aegisthus, since she believes that there is now no brother to revenge their father. Chrysothemis refuses and begs Electra to reconsider, sure that this idea will end in Electra's destruction. She promises not to repeat what Electra has said, but she hopes that Electra will learn to be prudent. The Chorus chimes in, saying, "...Prudence and caution/ Are the only things worth having in this life." Electra refuses to be guided by her sister, though, so Chrysothemis returns to the palace. The Chorus then sings a hymn of praise to Electra and her "true nobility."

Orestes arrives, attended by a friend who bears an urn that is said to contain his (Orestes') ashes. Electra does not recognize her brother, but she grieves so sorrowfully that Orestes is moved to reveal himself to her. Electra erupts with thanksgiving and joy. At this point, it is Orestes who must ask Electra to be silent, reminding her that they must continue with the pretense of his death so that he may perform his duty.

The Tutor comes outside and scolds brother and sister for putting the mission in danger with their celebrating. When Electra realizes who he is, she cries out with more joy and gratitude, but the Tutor shushes her. He wants Orestes to come inside and kill Clytaemnestra while she is relatively unguarded. Electra follows them in but then comes back out to watch for Aegisthus. Clytaemnestra's cries for mercy can be heard outdoors, but if Orestes voices any response, the audience can't hear it over Electra's angry words. Then, Clytaemnestra is dead.

Orestes comes outside, but the Chorus quickly sends him back in when they see Aegisthus coming. Aegisthus has heard news of Orestes' death, and he questions Electra. She pretends that she is now humbled and has "learned how to serve/ The will of those who have the upper hand."

At this point, the palace doors open to reveal Orestes and his attendant standing beside Clytaemnestra's covered body. Aegisthus, of course, thinks the body is that of Orestes. When he sees that it is actually his wife's body, he recognizes Orestes and begs for mercy. Electra begs that Orestes hurry and finish off Aegisthus. However, Orestes takes him in to the spot in the house where he and his wife had killed Agamemnon, so that Aegisthus may suffer the same kind of death that Agamemnon had.

In closing, the Chorus announces that the house has been set free of suffering, and that the day's work is well done.