Greek Tragedy XIV: Sophocles’s Electra, or Not Your Aeschylus’s Electra

I think this is the first time we’ve encountered two different tellings of the same myth. We’re revisiting the story of how Orestes and Electra seek revenge on their mother. We’ve already seen how Aeschylus tells the story. Later we’ll see how Euripides handles it. Today, however, we get Sophocles’s take on it.

Discussion Prompts

1. How sympathetic is Electra? Orestes? Clytaemestra? Aegisthus?
2. Which play do you prefer: The Libation Bearers or Electra? Why?
3. Why do you think Pylades is a non-speaking character? If you were writing a version of this story, how would you handle the character?
4. What do you think of the Tutor’s story of how Orestes supposedly died? Is it believable? Why or why not?
5. How many children do you think Agamemnon and Clytaemestra had? Why?
6. How old do you think the children of Agamemnon and Clytaemestra are in this play? If you were directing this play today, how would you handle the ages of the characters? Why?
7. If you were directing this play today, when would you set it? Why?
8. Is Electra’s vengeance justified? Why or why not? What about Orestes’s actions?
9. What do you think about Chrysothemis?