Electra

Chrysothemis criticizes Electra for airing her grievances to the world. While Chrysothemis agrees with Electra’s morals, she tells her sister that if she desires to be a free woman, she must obey the masters of the house. In turn, Electra criticizes Chrysothemis for being a coward and aligning herself with their mother: “Isn’t this simply cowardice added to evil?” (476). Chrysothemis reveals that the masters of the house are planning to trap Electra in an underground prison, where she will no longer be a bother to them. Electra retorts that she would be happy to live underground, as none of her family would be able to torment her further. She states that she will not betray her loved ones, and Chrysothemis reiterates that they must bend to their master’s will.

Chrysothemis reveals that her offerings are from their mother, who was inspired to pay her respects to Agamemnon after dreaming of him. She recalls her mother’s dream, saying that she dreamt “of our father / and (she) knew him again / for he came back into the light” (569-571). In the dream, Agamemnon grabs his scepter, which the new king