Electra by Euripides

Electra was the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.  When Agamemnon returned from the Trojan War, he was murdered by Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, who then took over the throne.  Electra and her brother Orestes were small children at the time.  Because of fear that Aegisthus would kill Orestes, who might grow up to avenge his father, Orestes was spirited away to be raised in another country where he would be safe.  When Electra grew to adulthood, she had many suitors of noble birth, but Aegisthus married her off to a peasant.  His reasoning was that if she married someone of nobility, she might have a son who would grow up to avenge his grandfather Agamemnon.

The play begins with Electra living in squalor in the peasant’s hut, having to carrying her own water from the well, and make her own clothes.  However, the peasant, although impoverished, is a man of noble character.  He has not consummated the marriage, because he knows he is unworthy of Electra and understands why she was given in marriage to him.

Meanwhile, Orestes has grown to manhood and has returned to Argos to avenge his father’s murder.  He meets Electra, but does not immediately identify himself to her saying the he is a friend of Orestes.  Since they were parted as children, she does not recognize him.  After some conversation during which Electra tells Orestes her sad tale, the peasant comes home.  When he finds out that this man is a “friend” of Orestes, he invites him into his humble home.  Electra sends her peasant husband to her former caregiver, who is now an old man, for some provisions to entertain the guests.  When the old man arrives, he recognizes Orestes.  The old man was the one who saved Orestes’ life.  Orestes is now revealed to Electra as her brother.

Electra and Orestes plot together as to how they will kill Aegisthus and Clytemnestra.  The old man knows that Aegisthus is currently at his stables without armed guards.  Orestes goes off to kill him.  Electra sends word to her mother that she has just had a baby, knowing this will cause her mother to come visit her.  Although there is some stricken conscience popping up, Orestes, with encouragement from Electra, also dispatches their mother.

Electra and Orestes are now pretty horrified with what they have done.  But the Dioscuri (Castor and Polydeuces, who are gods and brothers of Clytemnestra) show up and basically say that this was fated and all will be well in the end.

Interesting quotes:

Peasant:  …whoso counts me but a fool for leaving a tender maid untouched when I have her in my house, to him I say, he measures purity by the vicious standard of his own soul, a standard like himself.

Electra’s response to the peasant:…tis rare fortune when mortals find such healing balm for their cruel wounds as ‘tis my lot to find in thee.

There is a touching mutual respect and affection portrayed in these characters.  The peasant is not nobility but is noble.

Orestes later expounds on the concept of nobility.  Saying that a noble sire may produce a worthless child, and evil parents may produce virtuous children.  By what standard then shall we rightly judge these things?  …learn to judge men by their converse, and by their habits decide who are noble.

Orestes: …else must we cease to believe in gods, if wrong is to triumph o’er right.  This is, of course, one of the arguments for believing there is no God.  A loving god would not allow the evil that occurs in the world.  We, however, are mortal and do not see the big picture or the future.

An interesting comment about the law and justice:  And this shall be the law for all posterity; in every trial the accused shall win his case if the votes are equal.  (spoken by the Dioscuri) I suppose this is a precursor of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The play ends with an assurance from the Dioscuri that the gods are on the side of the just.  Yet as we fly through heaven’s expanse, we help not the wicked; but whoso in his life loves piety and justice, all such we free from troublous toils and save.  If one were to believe this, then he would constantly be shunning those who have difficulty in life believing they were being punished for some hidden wrong doing.  That would be the viewpoint of Job’s miserable friends.

There is a whole lot in life we don’t understand!