Electra

Orestes asks the Chorus for directions to Aegisthus’s house. The Chorus directs Orestes to Electra, so that she may announce him to the house. Electra is inconsolable at the sight of her brother’s ashes. Orestes recognizes his sister and the suffering she has undergone while living with Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Orestes tells Electra that her urn of ashes are not her brother’s and properly reveals himself. Electra proclaims to the Chorus, “Ladies, my friends, my people, look! / Here stands Orestes: / dead by device / now by device brought back to life!” (1643-1646). Orestes cautions Electra to calm herself and pretend to not know his true identity. He assures her that he needs no convincing of their mother’s evil and that “talk is expensive” (1722). Electra agrees to bend to her brother’s will.

Paedagogus runs over to Electra and Orestes, urging them to cease spoiling their plans. He exclaims, “Now cut short the speech making, / stifle your joy / and go in the house. Go! / Delay is disaster in things like this” (1777-1780). He tells them that Clytemnestra is alone in the house.