43 pages • 1 hour read
Electra
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Book Brief
112
Play • Fiction
Argos, Greece • Mycenaean Era
Oxford University Press
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Electra by Euripides centers on Electra and her brother Orestes as they plot to avenge their father Agamemnon by killing their mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. Deprived of her royal status, Electra toils in the countryside, while Orestes, disguised, reunites with her and they enact a plan leading to the murders, exploring themes of justice, revenge, and familial obligations. Contains references to violence, especially murder.
Dark
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
7,706 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Euripides' Electra receives praise for its psychological depth and exploration of vengeance and justice. Critics commend its complex character portrayals, particularly Electra's transformation. However, some find the play's pacing uneven and its resolution abrupt. Overall, it remains a compelling study of human emotion and familial duty.
Who Should Read Electra?
A reader who would enjoy Euripides' Electra is typically fascinated by classic Greek tragedies, mythological themes, and dramatic familial conflicts. Comparable to readers of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex or Aeschylus' Agamemnon, they appreciate intricate character studies and profound moral dilemmas.
7,706 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Orestes
Orestes
The son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, Electra's brother, he grapples with his identity and the expectations placed upon him as he returns to Argos with burdens of familial duty.
The Farmer
The Farmer
An unnamed man of modest social status who is married to Electra, noteworthy for his honorable conduct and respectful treatment of Electra despite their unusual marriage circumstances.
Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra
The mother of Electra and Orestes, she is portrayed with a balance of remorse and self-justification, having a complicated relationship with her children.
The Dioscuri
The Dioscuri
Castor and Polydeuces, the divine brothers of Clytemnestra, who appear in the play to offer guidance and decree future events affecting Electra and Orestes.
The Old Man
The Old Man
A loyal former servant of Agamemnon who helps Orestes and Electra in their objectives, recognized for his dedication and crucial role in recognizing Orestes.
The Chorus
The Chorus
Composed of women of Argos, they provide commentary throughout the play, generally aligning with Electra and Orestes while reflecting on broader thematic elements.
112
Play • Fiction
Argos, Greece • Mycenaean Era
Oxford University Press
Adult
18+ years
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