ELECTRA.
The subject of the "Electra" of Sophocles is the same as that of the "Choëphoroe" (the Libation-bearers) of Aeschylus. It is the return of Orestes from exile to take vengeance on Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra, for their murder of his father, Agamemnon. Electra plays the same part which she plays in the "Choëphoroe," while her sister, Chrysothemis, plays that of gentleness and comparative weakness. Orestes, in this play, returns with a fictitious story of his death which throws Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra off their guard.
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THE SNARE.
The Paedagogos (tutor or governor) of Orestes, to circumvent Clytaemnestra, tells her a fictitious story of her son's death by a fall in a chariot-race. Electra is on the scene.
LINES 660-822.
PAEDAGOGOS.
Good ladies, tell a stranger in your land,
Does King Aegisthus in this mansion dwell?
CHORUS.
He does, my friend; thou hast conjectured right.
PAEDAGOGOS.
Shall I conjecture right if I take this
To be his Queen? She has a queenly look.
CHORUS.
Thou'rt right again; the Queen indeed she is.
PAEDAGOGOS.
Hail, royal lady. From a friend I bring
News good for thee and for Aegisthus too.
CLYTAEMNESTRA.
Thy words are pleasing to mine ear; but first
I must inquire of thee, who sent thee here?
PAEDAGOGOS.
The Phocian Phanoteus, on errand grave.
CLYTAEMNESTRA.
Say what it is; for as the name is dear
Of him that sent thee, glad will be thy news.
PAEDAGOGOS.
Orestes is no more: that is the sum.