Electra in the Ancient Sources: 71 Passages in Greek & English

Aeschylus (6)

Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 152–245First episode (cont.): the lock of hair and the recognitionThe Chorus sing a short lament and wish for a warrior to save the house. Electra finds the lock of hair on the tomb and sees that it is like her own, and then finds footprints which match her own. Orestes steps forward and tells her who he is, and as proof asks her to compare the lock with his own head and shows her a woven cloth she made. She greets him as her father, her mother and her sister in one.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 84–151First episode: Electra pours the libationsElectra asks the Chorus what to say as she pours the libations sent by her mother. The women tell her to pray for good to those who love Agamemnon, and for vengeance on his killers. She prays to Hermes and to her father, asking for Orestes to return and for a more chaste life than her mother's, and she calls on the women to crown the libations with lament.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 479–584End of the kommos: Clytaemestra's dream and Orestes' planOrestes and Electra pray that their father will send up help and send Justice to fight for them. The Chorus tell why Clytaemestra sent the libations: she dreamed that she gave birth to a serpent and nursed it, and that it drew blood with her milk. Orestes takes the dream as a sign that he will kill her, and says that he and Pylades will come to the palace gate disguised as strangers, and that Electra must go in and keep their plan secret.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 423–478Kommos (2): Agamemnon's burial and Electra's confinementThe lament goes on with a description of how Clytaemestra buried Agamemnon without honour, and Electra tells how she was shut away. The Chorus tell Orestes to take it to heart, and the three call on their father to help them against their enemies, so that the children may win the contest.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 1–83bPrologue and parodos: Orestes at the tomb of AgamemnonOrestes, newly returned from exile, prays to Hermes at his father's tomb and lays two locks of hair on it. He sees a group of women in black coming with Electra, and he and Pylades step aside. The Chorus of slave women, sent by Clytaemestra with libations after a terrifying dream, sing of the cries of grief that they have to utter, of the fear and hatred that fill the house, and of the blood that cries out for vengeance.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 306–422Kommos (1): the lament at the tombOrestes, Electra and the Chorus sing together to call up the dead Agamemnon from below. Orestes wishes that his father had died at Troy, and Electra wishes instead that his murderers had been killed by their own kin. They call on Zeus, on the Fates and on the powers below to grant that blood be paid for blood.

Sophocles (19)

Sophocles, Electra 1171–1287Fourth episode (cont.): the recognition of OrestesThe Chorus try to comfort Electra, and Orestes is so moved by her suffering that he cannot keep his disguise. He asks to take back the urn and tells her that the ashes are not his, and shows her their father's signet ring. Electra greets her brother with joy, and Orestes tells her to keep silent so that no one inside may hear.
Sophocles, Electra 328–416First episode (cont.): Chrysothemis warns ElectraHer sister Chrysothemis comes from the house, and Electra blames her for obeying their mother and the murderers of their father. Chrysothemis answers that she has no power to resist, and warns that Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra mean to shut Electra up in an underground cell if she does not stop her mourning. She then says that Clytaemnestra has sent her with libations for the tomb of Agamemnon, out of fear caused by a dream, and Electra asks her to tell it.
Sophocles, Electra 849–933Kommos; Chrysothemis reports offerings at the tombThe Chorus and Electra lament the death of Orestes, and she mourns that he was buried abroad without her care. Chrysothemis then comes running with joy, and tells her that at their father's tomb she found fresh libations, flowers and a newly cut lock of hair, and that she is sure Orestes has returned. Electra tells her that Orestes is dead, that a man who saw it is inside with their mother, and that the offerings must have been left in his memory.
Sophocles, Electra 1017–1057Third episode (cont.): Electra decides to act aloneElectra says that she will do the deed alone, by her own hand. In a quick exchange Chrysothemis says that prudence is better than daring and that Justice itself sometimes does harm, while Electra calls her cowardly. Chrysothemis goes into the house, saying that Electra will one day approve her advice when she is in trouble.
Sophocles, Electra 1384–1441Third stasimon and the killing of ClytaemnestraThe Chorus sing that Ares and the avengers have gone into the palace, led by Hermes. Electra stands outside to watch for Aegisthus, and Clytaemnestra's cries are heard from inside as she begs her son for mercy. Electra calls out for a second blow, and the Chorus say that the curses are fulfilled. Orestes comes out with the news that all is well within if Apollo's oracle spoke well, and the Chorus see Aegisthus approaching.
Sophocles, Electra 773–848Second episode: Clytaemnestra's relief and Electra's despairClytaemnestra says that Orestes' death frees her from the fear that kept her from sleep, and she invites the stranger into the house. Electra, left with the Chorus, says that she will lie at the gate and wither away, since her only hope of an avenger is dead. The Chorus answer her with the story of Amphiaraus, betrayed by his wife but still powerful among the dead, but Electra says that she has no champion left.
Sophocles, Electra 1288–1383Fourth episode (cont.): the Paedagogus urges hasteOrestes asks Electra to say no more about their mother and Aegisthus and to hide her joy, and she promises to do as he wishes. The old Paedagogus comes out of the palace and scolds them for talking at the door, and tells them to go in now that Clytaemnestra is alone. Electra greets him as the saviour of the house, and Orestes and Pylades go to pray at the shrines before entering while Electra prays to Apollo.
Sophocles, Electra 1442–1510Exodos: Aegisthus is led in to dieAegisthus arrives and asks where the Phocian strangers are who brought news of Orestes' death, and Electra says that they are inside and have shown the body. He orders the gates opened, and sees a shrouded body, which he thinks to be Orestes. Orestes tells him to lift the veil himself, and when he sees Clytaemnestra's corpse he knows that he is lost. Orestes drives him into the house to die where he killed Agamemnon, and the Chorus end the play by saying that the house is free at last.
Sophocles, Electra 155–250Parodos (cont.): the Chorus consoles ElectraThe Chorus tell her that she is not the only mortal to suffer, and that Orestes lives and will come, but Electra answers that she waits year after year, childless and unwed, and serves in her father's halls like a slave. The Chorus recall the murder of Agamemnon at his banquet, and Electra says that the killers must pay for it, or shame and reverence will vanish from the world. The Chorus urge her to say no more, since such strife is dangerous against the powerful, but she says that she will not stop her cries while she lives.
Sophocles, Electra 251–327First episode: Electra describes her life in the houseElectra apologises to the Chorus for her vehemence, and says that she cannot do otherwise when she sees Aegisthus on her father's throne, wearing his robes and pouring libations at the hearth where he killed him. She says that her mother joins in these outrages and reviles her, and that Orestes keeps putting off his return. The Chorus ask whether Aegisthus is at home, and she says that he is in the country, and they see Chrysothemis coming from the house with offerings.
Sophocles, Electra 558–633Second episode: Electra answers her motherElectra answers that Agamemnon killed a stag sacred to Artemis and was compelled to sacrifice his daughter for that, and not for Menelaus' sake, so that Clytaemnestra had no right to kill him. She says that her mother did it for her lover, with whom she now has children, while she has cast out Orestes and made Electra a servant. Clytaemnestra threatens her with punishment when Aegisthus returns, and prepares to sacrifice.
Sophocles, Electra 934–1016Third episode: Electra proposes to kill AegisthusChrysothemis, hearing that Orestes is dead, asks what she can do. Electra asks her to help kill Aegisthus herself, promising that they will win praise and honour as free women, and a worthy marriage. Chrysothemis answers that they are women and have no strength against men, that the plan is hopeless and will bring greater evil, and the Chorus tell Electra to listen.

7 more passages of Sophocles that name Electra

Euripides (42)

Euripides, Electra 247–289First episode: Electra explains her marriage to the PeasantElectra says that she is married, to a poor but noble man who respects her, and who, thinking that the one who gave her had no right to, has never touched her. Orestes says that he must be well treated. Electra says that she would dare to kill her mother with the same axe that killed her father, and that she would not know her brother if she saw him, and that only her father's old servant, who saved Orestes, would. Orestes asks whether her father found burial, and Electra says that he found what he could, cast out of the house.
Euripides, Electra 547–584Second episode: the Old Man recognises Orestes by his scarThe Old Man asks to see the guests and, looking at Orestes, finds the scar along his brow where he fell and drew blood one day, chasing a fawn with Electra in his father's house. Electra, crying out, embraces her brother, and Orestes says that he is her one ally, and that he has confidence, or else the gods are not to be believed if wrong is to triumph over right.
Euripides, Orestes 71–135Prologue: Helen asks Electra to take offerings to Clytemnestra's tombHelen, newly arrived from Troy, asks Electra how she and her brother fare. She asks Electra to take offerings to Clytemnestra's tomb, but Electra refuses, and Helen sends her daughter Hermione instead. Electra says to the Chorus that Helen has not changed, and has been the ruin of her family.
Euripides, Electra 648–684Second episode: Electra's lie to summon ClytemnestraThe Old Man tells them that Aegisthus is sacrificing to the Nymphs at his fields, and that Clytemnestra will come to Electra's door if she hears that she has given birth. Electra says that she will send for her mother with word that she has borne a child, and Orestes prays to his father below and to the gods that they may succeed.
Euripides, Electra 220–246First episode: Orestes meets Electra in disguiseOrestes tells her not to fear him, and says that he is a messenger from Orestes. Electra, who does not recognise him, asks whether her brother is alive, and Orestes says that he is, though he lives wretchedly in exile. She describes her own condition, with her close-shaven head and her squalid dress, and Orestes asks what she is to her brother.
Euripides, Electra 959–987Exodos: the body is hidden and Orestes goes in to kill his motherElectra bids the slaves carry the body inside and hide it, so that her mother may not see it before her slaughter. Orestes hesitates over killing his mother, and Electra urges him on, saying that he must pay her back with the same death, and Orestes goes in, saying that it is a dreadful task, but that the contest is bitter and also sweet.
Euripides, Orestes 140–210Parodos: the Chorus enters softly; Electra guards the sleeping OrestesThe Chorus of Argive women enters and Electra asks them to speak softly, since her brother has fallen asleep at last. She tells them that he is wasting away, and that Apollo's command has destroyed them. She prays to Night to give him sleep and laments her own joyless life.
Euripides, Orestes 211–267First episode: Orestes wakes and hears that Menelaus has comeOrestes wakes, praises sleep, and cannot remember what has happened, and Electra lifts him and tends him. She tells him that Menelaus has arrived with Helen and that his ships are moored at Nauplia. Orestes says that Helen will bring only mischief, and then he is seized by madness again.
Euripides, Electra 1111–1146Exodos: Electra lures Clytemnestra into the houseElectra tells her mother that she sighs too late, and says that she might remember her exiled son. Clytemnestra asks why she was summoned. Electra tells her that she has given birth and begs her mother to make the tenth-day sacrifice for the child, since she does not know how. Clytemnestra says that she will go to the field to sacrifice to the gods, and goes into the poor house, and Electra says in an aside that she will receive her due.
Euripides, Orestes 1246–1312The Chorus keeps watch; Helen is attacked within the palaceElectra posts the women of the Chorus as lookouts on either side of the palace, and they watch the road, and are alarmed by a passer-by. Helen cries out from within, and Electra calls on the friends inside to kill her. The Chorus Leader hears a footstep on the road.
Euripides, Electra 747–773Third episode: a Messenger announces Aegisthus' deathThe Chorus hears a noise from afar and bids Electra come from the house, and a Messenger, her brother's servant, arrives to announce that Orestes has conquered and that Aegisthus lies on the ground, the murderer of Agamemnon. Electra, who at first does not know him, asks to hear in what way he died.
Euripides, Orestes 1313–1352Seventh episode: Hermione is lured into the trapHermione returns from the tomb of Clytemnestra, and Electra tells her that Orestes and she are condemned, and begs her to join her plea to Helen. As Hermione goes in, Orestes and his friends seize her. Electra tells them to hold a sword at her throat in silence, so that Menelaus will learn that he has found men, not Phrygian cowards.

30 more passages of Euripides that name Electra

Aristophanes (1)

Aristophanes, The Clouds 510–626Parabasis: the poet defends the play and the Clouds complainThe Chorus speak for the poet, who swears by Dionysus that he thinks his audience wise, complains that his earlier version of this play was defeated by an unworthy rival, and says that this one is his sister, who comes to look for her brother's curl like Electra. They boast that he does not use cheap tricks, such as the staff, the torch and the bald-head joke, and that he knocked down the giant Cleon without kicking him when he was down, while others have since plagiarised his Knights. They then pray to Zeus, the lord of the trident, Ether and the Sun, and complain that the city neglects them though they always help it, and that the Moon too is angry that the days of the month are mixed up.

Nonnus of Panopolis (3)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 3.216–318Book 3: Dardanos and the flood; Cadmos tells his lineageAfter the third flood Dardanos reaches Ida, and Emathion receives Cadmos at a rich table with the music of Corybantic pipes. Questioned by Electra, Cadmos traces his descent from Io and Epaphos through Belos to his father Agenor, and tells how Europa was carried off by the bull and he was sent to find her.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 4.206–248Book 4: Electra gives Harmonia; the voyage beginsElectra hands Harmonia over to Cadmos with an old servant to guide them to the sea. Selene, seeing the girl on the shore, rebukes Aphrodite for sending her own child into such wandering. Cadmos puts to sea with his companions, and a passenger who sees the pair remarks that the sailor looks like Love himself.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 5.0–121Book 5: Cadmos founds Thebes and its seven gatesCadmos sacrifices the cow to Athena, fights the neighbouring peoples and lays out the city of Thebes with seven gates named for the seven planets. Harmonia's wedding is celebrated with dances, music and the gods' attendance, and Zeus sits at the same table as Cadmos.

Electra in the ancient sources

Aeschylus (6)

Sophocles (19)

Euripides (42)

Aristophanes (1)

Nonnus of Panopolis (3)