Guide Note:

The ancient Greek playwrights Sophocles and Euripides both wrote plays titled Electra Play about Electra, the daughter of Agamemnon.

Sophocles Version

After Agamemnon's murder his son Orestes, his son's friend Pylades, and a tutor arrive planning to have the tutor announce that Orestes is dead. Electra argues with her sister and then mother Clytemnestra about her father's murder and those who killed him claiming her only hope is that her brother will return someday. When Electra initially sees her brother she doesn't recognize him until he quietly reveals himself to her. Orestes and Pylades kill Clytemnestra.

Euripides Version

Orestes and his friend Pylades go to Argo for revenge on Agamemnon's killers. They disguise themselves while at the house of Electra and her husband, but a servant reveals Orestes identity. Orestes plans to convince his mother to come by saying that Electra had a baby. Orestes and Electra kill their mother. Their deified uncles appear and tell Orestes and Electra that Clytemnestra deserved her death, but that the murder was shameful. Orestes and Electra must then atone.

Fast Facts:

Sophocles

1. Also known as Elektra
2. Tragic play
3. Written about 410 B.C.
4. Set in Mycenae
5. Set after Trojan War
6. Major theme balances between justice and expedience
7. Major symbol is the knot

Important Quotations:

1. And yet, It is true, Justice is not on my side. Your choice is the right one. On the other hand, If I want to live a free woman, There are masters who must be obeyed.
2. Father, father, father! Your perpetual excuse—Your father got his death from me. From me! That's right! I make no denial. It was Justice who took him, not I alone. And you should have helped if you had any conscience. For this father of yours, This one you bewail, This unique Greek, Had the heart to sacrifice your own sister to the gods.

Euripides

1. Unknown if written before or after Sophocles' play
2. Influenced by Aeschylus's play The Libation Bearers
3. Set in Argos
4. First performed in 413 B.C.
5. Major theme is revenge and murder

Important Quotation:

1. I care for riches, to make gifts to friends, or lead a sick man back to health with ease and plenty. Else small aid is wealth for daily gladness; once a man be done with hunger, rich and poor are all as one.