Electra

Acts

• Prologue

  Electra has been married off to a poor farmer to prevent her from bearing noble children who might avenge Agamemnon.

  111 lines
• Parodos

  The chorus invites Electra to a festival. She refuses — she exists only to mourn and wait.

  105 lines
• First Episode

  Orestes arrives in disguise. Electra's despair and fierce loyalty convince him she is genuine.

  222 lines
• First Stasimon

  The chorus sings of the golden lamb that cursed the house of Atreus.

  55 lines
• Second Episode

  An old servant recognises Orestes by a scar.

  216 lines
• Second Stasimon

  The chorus recalls the armour of Achilles and the fall of Troy.

  50 lines
• Third Episode

  Orestes kills Aegisthus at a sacrifice.

  113 lines
• Third Stasimon

  The chorus celebrates but the triumph feels hollow.

  21 lines
• Fourth Episode

  Electra lures Clytemnestra to the farmhouse. She is murdered by Orestes.

  269 lines
• Kommos

  Both siblings are devastated. Orestes holds the sword and cannot believe what he has done.

  82 lines
• Exodos

  The Dioscuri pronounce judgement: the killing was just but the act was foul.

  125 lines