Electra by Sophocles

My own personal "Greek tragedies" have recently hindered me from reading the classic ones.  I read Electra some weeks ago, but didn't have the time to write about it, so today I skimmed through and refreshed my memory.


Electra is the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.  Agamemnon was killed by Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, who are now ruling in his place.  Chrysothemis who is Electra's sister has chosen to quietly accept this difficult situation.  Orestes, their brother, was spirited off to another country for his safety many years ago.  Electra cannot let go of the injustice that was done and spends her life in mourning very openly.  This is, of course, viewed as a display of defiance by Aegisthus and Clytemnestra, so she suffers hardship under them.


During the course of the story, Orestes returns grown-up and unrecognized.  He and his friend Pylades avenge Agamemnon's death by killing both Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.  The bulk of the play, however, is really about Electra's constant expression of grief and whether one should quietly accept ones circumstances or constantly rail against them.


When I was about 19, I went through a phase where I thought one should always express how one was actually feeling and not put on a good front to hide inner misery.  What I quickly discovered is that this approach is a slippery slope spiraling downward into the pit of despair.  Each expression of misery gives rise to deeper misery.  Conversely each expression of joy elevates ones spirit.  Showing interest in others can bolster a gloomy mood.  Looking for something positive or beautiful counteracts sorrow.


I am in favor of being honest, but I am not in favor of clinging to misery, since it usually makes a person non-functional too.  It is a rotten way to live.


Be advised to say no more; canst thou not see what conduct it is which already plunges thee so cruelly in self-made miseries?  Thou hast greatly aggravated thy troubles, ever breeding wars with thy sullen soul..."  (the chorus to Electra)


Go out and take a walk.  Observe the beauty of the world around you.
Listen to the laughter of playing children.
Lose yourself in a good book.
Play uplifting music.
Find a way to be helpful to someone else.
Clean something that is dirty enough that you can see the difference.


Stay off the slippery slope leading to the black pit of hopelessness!
Do not follow the example of Electra.