Electra Summary

Electra begins with the speech of a Mycenaean peasant. Aegisthus has married his stepdaughter, Electra, to this man so that he need not kill her but also so she cannot have any noble children that might usurp his thrown. Out of general decency and also fear of Electra's brother Orestes, the peasant has not slept with Electra since they have been married and has treated her honorably. Still, Electra is distraught. She bemoans her situation as regards the peasant man and resents her mother for helping to kill her father and marry the man who has now exiled her. After her speech of woe, she leaves the scene and Orestes and his friend Pylades enter. Orestes and Pylades fled from Aegisthus long ago and many people would not recognize them. Orestes has just secretly made a sacrifice on the grave of his father...