Electra

Euripides (c.480–c.406 BC), translated by Theodoridis, G., (contributor-contact-email)

Euripides’ Electra, a Greek tragedy from the mid-410s BC, has an uncertain chronological relationship with Sophocles’ play of the same name. The plot centres around the aftermath of the Trojan War, as Agamemnon, Mycenae’s king and father to Electra and Orestes, returns home. Contrary to his expectations of a hero’s welcome and a faithful spouse, he finds his wife Clytemnestra has taken Aegisthus as her lover. Together, they trap and murder Agamemnon, with Aegisthus then claiming the throne.

Agamemnon and Clytemnestra’s children, Orestes and Electra, are separated following their father’s death. Orestes is taken to Phocis by a loyal servant and raised by King Strophius, while Electra remains in Mycenae, enduring a troubled upbringing and longing for Orestes to return and avenge their father. Electra, to prevent her from bearing a noble heir who might challenge the usurpers, is forced to marry a peasant and live a life far removed from her royal upbringing.

The play follows Electra’s and Orestes’ subsequent vengeance of the murder of their father. Electra, living as the wife of a poor farmer, has a chance meeting with her brother Orestes. At first, they do not recognise each other, but following realisation of their blood relationship, they begin to plot to avenge their father’s murder. Orestes kills their mother’s lover, Aegisthos prior to their shared killing of Clytemnestra. The two are then filled with grief and guilt. As they lament, Clytemnestra’s deified brothers, Castor and Pollux emerge and inform Electra and Orestes that while their mother’s punishment was deserved, their matricide was still a shameful act. They then instruct the siblings on the necessary steps for atonement and cleansing of their souls.

Author Details

Euripides, a preeminent Greek tragedian born around 480 BC on the island of Salamis, was a transformative figure in the evolution of ancient Greek drama. He was the son of Mnesarchus, a merchant, and Cleito. Initially destined to be an athlete, as per an oracle’s prophecy, Euripides’ career was redirected towards the arts, encompassing studies in philosophy under Anaxagoras and Prodicus, and painting.

Among the trio of great tragedians, including also Aeschylus and Sophocles, Euripides is noted for his innovative approach to drama. He is credited with infusing classical Greek theatre with a modern sensibility, portraying mythical heroes as ordinary individuals in extraordinary situations. This novel perspective heralded significant developments in drama, influencing later forms including comedy and romance.

Ancient sources attribute as many as 92 plays to him, but only around 18 or 19 have survived in a complete form, with the authorship of “Rhesus” being subject to debate. His works are distinguished by their deep exploration of characters’ inner lives - in stark contrast to the style of his contemporaries.

Euripides’ own life intersected significantly with contemporary intellectual movements, granting Socrates’ and himself prominent positions in Athenian culture - which led to both being criticized by comic poets including Aristophanes.

In his later years, there are conflicting accounts about his voluntary exile and death in Macedonia around 406 BC, with both the assumption his death there, and the nature of his relationship with King Archelaus, being questioned by modern scholars.

His dramatic contributions are multifaceted, marked by a shift from traditional heroic narratives to more nuanced, often controversial, explorations of societal issues and human psychology, in plays characterized by their rhetorical prowess and innovative use of language, reflecting contemporary Athenian society and its complexities.

Despite winning only a few dramatic competitions in his lifetime, Euripides’ impact on the genre of tragedy, and his influence on subsequent generations of playwrights and dramatists, is undeniable. He remains a pivotal figure in the evolution of Western drama.

More by this author

Read Now Download

Theodoridis, G.,

Support Open-Access:

Your contribution keeps our classical translations available to all. Every dollar helps support classics education and funds the expansion of our catalogue. Value what we do? Donate now.

File Downloads:

PDF

Mobi

Epub

MS Word

Html