Electra by SparkNotes

Author:SparkNotes [SparkNotes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Section four, lines 1467–1859

Summary

Third Episode, lines 1467–1845

Orestes and Pylades enter onto the stage with servants carrying an urn, which, it is pretended, contains the ashes of the dead youth. Orestes, in the character of a Phocian, asks the chorus if the house in front of which they stand is indeed the home of Aegisthus. The chorus replies affirmatively and points to Electra as the next of kin and the appropriate individual to announce the visitor's arrival. Electra, however, seeing the urn under Orestes's arm and understanding that it is meant to contain the ashes of her brother, enters into a fresh bout of grieving and asks if she might take the urn from him, to which request Orestes complies.

Electra laments over the urn in a speech of utter despair. She recounts how she tried to save Orestes by sending him away after their father's murder and she equates Orestes's death with her own. Now, she says, she is nothing. Orestes is greatly affected by the sight of his sister's suffering, and he cries out, exclaiming that he cannot hold his tongue any longer. He maintains his fictive guise for a short while longer as he listens to his sister relate the injustice and mistreatment she suffers at the hands of Clytemnestra. Then, finally, assured by Electra that the chorus of women is trustworthy and will not give any secrets away, Orestes decides to reveal himself. First, however, he asks Electra to return the urn to him. The thought of parting with the ashes of her brother and her only hope renews Electra's agony. Orestes allows her to keep the urn as he tells her who he is, showing her their father's ring as proof of his identity. Electra's emotions undergo a complete reversal. She longs to celebrate, but Orestes urges her to keep silent for the time being, at least until their father's murder has been avenged. Regardless of his wishes, Electra can hardly refrain from joyful speeches and songs.

The Old Man enters from within the palace gates and chastises the two for their imprudence and indiscretion, saying that they could have been easily overhead. He urges immediate action, in accordance with Apollo's oracle. Orestes asks the Old Man about the conditions inside the house and the reactions of the inhabitants to the news of his death. The Old Man is unforthcoming, saying only that the plan, hence far, is unfolding well. Electra asks her bother who the Old Man is. Finally, after a bit of convincing, she recognizes him as the faithful servant to whom she entrusted Orestes as a young boy to smuggle off to Phocia after Agamemnon's murder. Electra blesses the Old Man, who replies that catching up will have to wait until later. He says that now is the time for action and he hastens Orestes into the house, where Clytemnestra waits alone. After the Old Man, Orestes, and Pylades have left the stage, Electra gives a prayer of thanks to Apollo for the living return of her brother.

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