Editing Electra (section)

==Murder of Clytemnestra==

According to [[Aeschylus]], Orestes recognized Electra's face before the tomb of Agamemnon, where both had gone to perform rites to the dead, and they arranged how Orestes should accomplish his revenge.<ref name=fagles188>Fagles (1977), p. 188</ref> Orestes and his friend [[Pylades]], son of King Strophius of Phocis and Anaxibia, killed Clytemnestra and Aegisthus (in some accounts with Electra helping).

There is some disagreement between sources on how to characterize Electra after the death of her father. According to Aeschylus, she is unsure of her own ability to avenge her father, though she is certain in her conviction that revenge is necessary. This version posits that she is a confused participant in the murder of her mother. She turns to her brother to take the role of avenger, uncertain or unwilling to kill Clytemnestra herself. Sophoclean Electra is much more imposing than Aeschylus’ character. She is consumed by hatred in reaction to her father’s death, a far cry from the more reluctant Aeschylus interpretation. Sophocles’ Electra is also uncontrollably saddened by her father’s murder which only serves to further her desire for revenge. Furthermore, she is borderline hysterical to avenge her father. This suggests that according to Sophocles, Electra was more attached to Agamemnon than Clytemnestra. In this version of events, Electra and Orestes are equal partners in Clytemenestra’s murder. Sophocles also goes as far as to present a more philosophical side of Electra. She confronts her mother about the morality of her actions, where she is presented with a logical defense of the murder by Clytemenestra. Electra rejects this colder view of the death of her father, focusing on the act of murder rather than the circumstances around the event. Electra goes as far as to show complete contempt for Clytemenestra, a unique feature of this interpretation. Euripides' Electra portrays her as a shrewd yet feeling figure. Unlike the Sophoclean Electra, Euripides’ tempers her emotions in order to accomplish her goals throughout the narrative. The act of avenging her father is understood as a necessity, not an emotional endeavor according to Euripedes. This colder portrayal of Electra has been interpreted to represent the strength of unmaternal temperaments, as well as an acute understanding between the two female characters the realities of the gendered world they move within. More divergently, this version of Electra sets the trap that kills Clytemnestra. Orestes is not an equal partner in the murder, with Electra being the ultimate leader of the entire machination. She even feigns maternalism in order to ensnare her mother, though interpretations vary on their relationship up until this point. Some suggest that this final interaction was actually adorned with mutual love and respect, paying homage to both character’s proclivities. With that being said, no love is lost between Electra and Clytemnestra. Despite her daughter killing her, Clytemenestra’s unmaternal bond holds true. In the same vein Electra harbors no hatred for her mother unlike in other tellings.<ref>Sex and sensuality in the ancient world. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2008. Translated by George Staunton from the Italian Eros tiranno: sessualità e sensualità nel mondo antico (2003).</ref>

Before her death, Clytemnestra cursed Orestes. The [[Erinyes]] or Furies, whose duty it is to punish any violation of the ties of family piety, fulfill this curse with their torment. They pursue Orestes, urging him to end his life. Electra was not hounded by the Erinyes.

In ''[[Iphigeneia in Tauris]]'', Euripides tells the tale somewhat differently. In his version, Orestes was led by the Furies to Tauris on the Black Sea, where his sister [[Iphigenia]] was being held. The two met when Orestes and Pylades were brought to Iphigenia to be prepared for sacrifice to [[Artemis]]. Iphigeneia, Orestes, and Pylades escaped from Tauris. The Furies, appeased by the reunion of the family, abated their persecution. Electra then married Pylades.<ref>Luke Roman, Monica Roman, ''Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology'', Infobase Publishing, 2010, p.143.</ref>