Paedagogus, Orestes’ old tutor, has returned to the royal palace in Mycenae. Before the play began Clytemnestra murdered Orestes’ father, Agamemnon, and now Orestes has returned to avenge his death. Orestes tells Paedagogus that the Delphic oracle has told him how he should be revenged on those who murdered his father. Orestes tells Paedagogus to falsely report Orestes’ death. In the meantime, Orestes and Pylades will visit Agamemnon’s grave, and, when they return to the palace with an urn (which they will say contains Orestes’ remains), no one will be expecting them to strike against Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.

A cry is heard from inside the house, and Orestes and Paedagogus exit. Electra enters, making a long prayer to “Holy Light”. She is…

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• Electra by Sophocles Summary
• About Electra by Sophocles
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of prologue, parados, and first episode (lines 1 – 328)
• Summary and Analysis of first episode (continued), first stasimon, and second episode (l. 329-659)
• Summary and Analysis of second episode (continued), second stasimon, and third episode (l. 660 – 1384)
• Summary and Analysis of third stasimon and exodos (l. 1385 – 1510)
• Electra in Ancient Greek
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