Wiktor Wise
Electra is a popular mythological character in Greek tragedies, centred around the story of her father Agamemnon's murder. Electra is consumed by hatred and obsessed with avenging her father's death, which she blames on her mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. She is a central figure in plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Alfieri, Voltaire, Hofmannsthal, Eugene O'Neill, and Jean-Paul Sartre, each of whom portrays her character differently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Electra |
| Origin | Greek mythology |
| Parents | Agamemnon and Clytemnestra |
| Siblings | Orestes, Chrysothemis, Iphigenia |
| Portrayed In | Electra by Sophocles, Electra by Euripides, plays by Aeschylus, Alfieri, Voltaire, Hofmannsthal, Eugene O'Neill, and Jean-Paul Sartre |
| Personality Traits | Vengeful, obsessed with avenging her father's death, consumed by hatred, saddened by her father's murder, philosophical |
| Role in Plays | Plans to avenge her father's murder with her brother Orestes, kills her mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus |
| Psychological Concept | The Electra complex is named after her |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Electra's characterisation in Aeschylus' version
Electra is a popular mythological character in Greek tragedies, and she is the central figure in plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. In Aeschylus' version, Electra is characterised as a vengeful soul in "The Libation Bearers", the second play of his "Oresteia" trilogy.
Electra is the daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, and the sister of Orestes and Chrysothemis. Her character is consumed by hatred and a desire for revenge following her father's murder at the hands of her mother and her mother's lover, Aegisthus. Electra spends her days mourning her father and awaiting the return of her brother, Orestes, whom she believes will help her carry out her vengeance. She is described as stubbornly devoted to the principles of justice, reverence, and honour, although her grasp on these principles is sometimes called into question.
In Aeschylus' interpretation, Electra is uncertain of her ability to avenge her father's death herself, despite her conviction that revenge is necessary. She is portrayed as a confused participant in the murder of her mother, turning to her brother Orestes to take on the role of avenger. This characterisation of Electra is in contrast to Sophocles' version, where Electra is more imposing and takes a more active role in the murder, working as an equal partner with Orestes.
Aeschylus' Electra is also characterised by her contempt for her mother, Clytemnestra, who treats her poorly and despises her constant mourning and desire for revenge. Electra's appearance is said to have been affected by her grief and lust for vengeance, with her eyes looking frightful due to a lack of sleep and her stare becoming ferocious. Despite her desire for revenge, Electra is portrayed as a reluctant participant in the murder, highlighting the complexity of her character.
Overall, in Aeschylus' version, Electra is characterised as a vengeful yet conflicted character, struggling between her desire for justice and her uncertainty about her ability to take action. She is consumed by hatred for her mother and is willing to go to great lengths to avenge her father's death, even if it means turning to her brother for help.
Plug-in Hybrids: Better than Pure Electric Cars?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sophocles' interpretation of Electra
Electra, written by the 5th-century BCE Greek tragedian Sophocles, is a play that dramatizes Orestes' revenge for the murder of his father, Agamemnon. The story begins years after Agamemnon's murder by Orestes' mother, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. Orestes, now an adult, returns to Mycenae with his friend Pylades and his tutor (the Pedagogue or Old Man), whom his sister Electra had sent to rescue him from Clytemnestra years earlier.
The play opens with Electra mourning her father's death outside the palace gates, as she has done relentlessly. Her sister Chrysothemis emerges from the palace and scolds her for her constant grieving, warning her that their mother intends to confine her to a secluded room. Clytemnestra then arrives and chastises Electra for mourning in public, leading to an argument about Agamemnon's murder. Clytemnestra justifies it as revenge for Agamemnon's sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia, but Electra blames her mother's lust for Aegisthus. Clytemnestra prays to Apollo for wealth, longevity, and her son's death, believing it will bring her peace.
Electra, consumed by grief and a desire for revenge, laments her father's death and prays to the deities for assistance. She is inconsolable, bemoaning her oppression, her father's death, and her longing for Orestes' return. Orestes, Pylades, and the tutor arrive at Mycenae, discussing their plan for revenge. Orestes wishes to greet Electra, but the tutor leads him away to make an offering at Agamemnon's grave per Apollo's oracle. As Electra pours forth her grief, Orestes, unable to bear seeing his sister's suffering, reveals himself to her and shows their father's ring as proof of his identity. Electra's grief turns to joy, and she celebrates her brother's return.
The tutor then enters the palace with Orestes to kill Clytemnestra, fulfilling their revenge. When Aegisthus returns, he discovers his wife's corpse and realizes Orestes' true identity, understanding that he, too, will be murdered. Orestes takes Aegisthus inside the palace, killing him at the same spot where Agamemnon was slain. The play ends with Orestes and Electra avenging their father's death, and both siblings are set free.
Monitoring Electricity Usage: Tracking Your Daily Power Consumption
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Euripides' Electra
The play opens with a prologue delivered by a poor farmer, who is the husband of Electra. Electra is the daughter of Agamemnon, who sacrificed his daughter Iphigeneia at the outset of the Trojan War to appease the goddess Artemis. This allowed the Greek army to sail for Troy, but it also led to deep resentment from his wife, Clytemnestra. When Agamemnon returns victorious from the war, Clytemnestra (in some versions, helped by her lover Aegisthus) murders him. Orestes, Agamemnon's son, goes into exile, while Electra remains in the palace under the thumb of her mother and Aegisthus, the new rulers in Argos.
Electra is married off to the poor farmer by Aegisthus, who fears that a noble husband might father children who would seek revenge for Agamemnon's murder. The farmer treats her kindly and respects her virginity, but Electra laments her father's murder and her loss of status.
When Orestes returns to Argos, he and Electra discuss their next murder: that of their mother, Clytemnestra. Orestes is hesitant, but Electra is resolved and bullies her brother into compliance. Electra lures Clytemnestra into her husband's hut, and Clytemnestra is murdered.
Euripides' play introduces disturbing elements that ask the audience to question the nature of tragic 'heroism', assumptions of appropriate gender behaviour, and the morality of both human characters and the gods. For example, in Aeschylus' version, Electra is relatively peaceful, but in Euripides' play, she becomes the prime mover of the matricide. The setting of the play is also not a royal palace, but a farmer's hut, which changes the dynamics of the plot and the characterisations of the protagonists.
Unleashing the Speed of 1600W Electric Scooters
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Electra's relationship with her mother, Clytemnestra
Electra is a popular mythological character in Greek tragedies. She is the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra of Mycenae. Electra's tragedy is that she is unable to forget her father's murder and is obsessed with avenging it.
In some accounts, Electra takes on a leadership role in plotting her mother's murder. She sets the trap that kills Clytemnestra and even feigns maternalism to ensnare her. However, there is disagreement among sources on Electra's characterization after her father's death. According to Aeschylus, she is uncertain about her ability to avenge her father and turns to her brother, Orestes, to take on the role of avenger. In this interpretation, Electra is a confused participant in the murder, unsure or unwilling to kill her mother herself.
The Sophoclean Electra is imposing and portrayed as more attached to her father than her mother. She confronts Clytemnestra about the morality of her actions and rejects her mother's logical defense of Agamemnon's murder. Euripides' Electra, on the other hand, is depicted as shrewd and emotionally tempered, understanding the act of avenging her father as a necessity rather than an emotional endeavor.
Despite the conflict and Electra's role in her mother's death, some interpretations suggest that their final interaction was adorned with mutual love and respect. Clytemnestra's unmaternal bond holds true, as she does not curse Electra before her death, instead turning her anger towards Orestes.
Lubricating Your Electric Garage Door: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Electra [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712Jn2-aELL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Electra's relationship with her brother, Orestes
Electra, a popular mythological character in Greek tragedies, is the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra of Mycenae. Her brother, Orestes, is saved by her from their mother and her lover, Aegisthus, who have killed their father. Electra sends Orestes away, and he is raised by an old slave to avenge his father's murder.
Electra is consumed by hatred and an obsessive desire for revenge for her father's death. She longs for her brother's return, and when Orestes returns, they meet at their father's tomb and plan their revenge. According to Aeschylus, Electra is uncertain about her ability to avenge her father and turns to her brother to take on the role of the avenger. In Sophocles' interpretation, Electra and Orestes are equal partners in the murder of their mother. Euripides' Electra, however, portrays her as the leader of the plot, setting a trap to kill Clytemnestra, with Orestes playing a less significant role.
Electra's relationship with Orestes is complex. She protects him from their mother and is eager for his return to exact revenge. Together, they avenge their father's death by killing Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. In some accounts, Electra marries Orestes' friend Pylades, and they escape the Furies that were sent by their mother to torment Orestes.
Electric Toothbrushes: Better Brushing or Marketing Hype?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Electra is a popular mythological character in Greek tragedies. She is the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and the sister of Orestes, whom she saves by sending him away when their father is murdered.
Electra is consumed by hatred and obsessed with avenging her father's death. She is portrayed as vengeful and grief-stricken, longing for her brother's return to help her carry out her plans.
Electra's characterisation differs across various plays and interpretations. In Sophocles' version, she is imposing and hysterical, consumed by her desire for revenge. Euripides' Electra is shrewd and calculated, tempering her emotions to accomplish her goals. Aeschylus' Electra is uncertain about her ability to avenge her father and turns to her brother for help.
Electra's tragedy is her inability to forget or move on from her father's murder. Her life becomes subordinated to her desire for revenge, and she loses her sense of self in the process. In psychology, the Electra complex is named after her, reflecting the complexity of her character and her obsession with vengeance.
