History Theatre / Electra

** In the Giraudoux version, she's a little girl and doesn't appear onstage; Clytemnestra mentions her once. All we know of her is that she loves flowers.

* Tragedy

* EvilUncle: Aegisthus probably counts, being an evil cousin who is now her step-father.
%% * ExtremeDoormat: Chrysothemis.

%% * GodSaveUsFromTheQueen: Clytemnestra.

%% * HotBlooded: Electra.

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Everyone except Orestes tells Electra to do this, especially Chrysothemis after Electra learns of Orestes's death. Instead she determines to kill Aegisthus herself.
%% * LibationForTheDead: Clytemnestra sends some in bad faith.

%%* {{Tragedy}}

Orestes and friends arrive in Argos, with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan take revenge]] on his mother Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]] for the murder of his father [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. His younger sister Electra meanwhile is busy lamenting Agamemnon's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The Chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her surviving sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

Clytemnestra arrives to mock Electra and together they receive a messenger bearing news of Orestes' death. Orestes being her last hope, Electra is devastated, whereas Clytemnestra is greatly relieved. Chrysothemis returns happily to tell Electra that Orestes must have returned, as she saw a gold lock of hair on [[DueToTheDead Agamemnon's tomb]]. Electra tells her this is impossible, and tries to persuade her to help kill Aegisthus. Chrysothemis rejects her and leaves Electra to her mourning.

Creator/{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. Creator/{{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. Creator/{{Aeschylus}}' ''Theatre/TheLibationBearers'' treats the same events as well, as part of CycleOfRevenge {{Trilogy}} ''Theatre/TheOresteia''. Jean Giraudoux's adaptation adds anachronistic elements and additional GreekChorus characters, as well as exploring the tragically self-defeating nature of focusing on revenge.

* AntagonistInMourning: After hearing about Orestes' supposed death, Clytemnestra is mainly relieved that someone who was trying to kill her is dead but admits she feels some sadness about losing him.
* BigBrotherWorship: Electra worships Orestes, but it is entirely contingent on the fact that she thinks he will kill Clytemnestra one day. If he chose to stay happily in exile for the rest of his life she'd probably disown him, but as her only ally and potential saviour he is the recipient of all her love.

* FakingTheDead: Orestes fakes his death for quite a long period of time before he returns, with the old slave helping him even inventing an elaborate story about how he died.

* KnightTemplar: Electra refuses to morally compromise by living peacefully with Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, because that would be excusing them of their murder of Agamemnon and being a coward who dishonors him while living a life of luxury. Her refusal goes to the point of gleefully cheering on their murder.
* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Everyone except Orestes tells Electra to do this, especially Chrysothemis after Electra learns of Orestes' death. Instead she determines to kill Aegisthus herself.

* PayEvilUntoEvil: Murdering your mother is admittedly bad, but if the gods are on your side it's acceptable.
** Not only they're on your side, they will ''fuck your shit up'' if you don't do it. And you do NOT want to call down the Furies on your head.

* PromotionToParent: Electra describes how she took care of Orestes as a young child when their mother didn't, and sent him away to protect him from Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.

* TheUnfavourite: Electra; even when she loathes her mother and step-father and isn't hesistant about letting it be known, it's not like she deserves to be left to die in a sealed cave either. Orestes is too, but has been in exile since childhood so it's not as obvious.
* UnreliableNarrator: Is Electra truly being mistreated by her mother and Aegisthus? Or is she insane and out of touch with reality? The only evidence we have for Clytemnestra and Aegisthus treating her badly is Electra's word for it. In some translations, she comes off as a border-line psychopathic spoiled brat who only wants revenge for Agamemnon to get back at her mother for being mean to her.

* ExtremeDoormat: Chrysothemis.

* GodSaveUsFromTheQueen: Clytemnestra.

* HotBlooded: Electra.

* LibationForTheDead: Clytemnestra sends some in bad faith.

* OedipusComplex: The female version wasn't called an "Electra Complex" for nothing. The girl is morbidly attached to her father and wants her mother dead.

* IgnoredEpiphany: Subverted in the Giraudoux version as Electra point-blank refuses to let Ægisthus become an upright and wise ruler living HappilyEverAfter with Clytemnestra.

* ElectraComplex: The female version wasn't called an "Electra Complex" for nothing. The girl is morbidly attached to her father and wants her mother dead.

* {{Tragedy}}

* OedipusComplex: The female version wasn't called an "Electra Complex" for nothing. The girl is morbidly attached to her father and wants her mother dead.

Film adaptations include 1962 Greek film ''Film/{{Electra}}'' and a more loose 1965 SettingUpdate adaptation called ''Film/{{Sandra}}''.

Creator/{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. {{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. Creator/{{Aeschylus}}' ''Theatre/TheLibationBearers'' treats the same events as well, as part of CycleOfRevenge {{Trilogy}} ''Theatre/TheOresteia''. Jean Giraudoux's adaptation adds anachronistic elements and additional GreekChorus characters, as well as exploring the tragically self-defeating nature of focusing on revenge.

A tragedy written by {{Sophocles}}.

{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. {{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. {{Aeschylus}}' ''Theatre/TheLibationBearers'' treats the same events as well, as part of CycleOfRevenge {{Trilogy}} ''Theatre/TheOresteia''. Jean Giraudoux's adaptation adds anachronistic elements and additional GreekChorus characters, as well as exploring the tragically self-defeating nature of focusing on revenge.

{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. {{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. {{Aeschylus}}' ''Theatre/TheLibationBearers'' treats the same events as well, as part of CycleOfRevenge {{Trilogy}} ''Theatre/TheOresteia''.

* GreekChorus

Clytemnestra arrives to mock Electra and together they receive a messenger bearing news of Orestes' death. Orestes being her last hope, Electra is devastated, whereas Clytemnestra is greatly relieved. Chrysothemis returns happily to tell Electra that Orestes must have returned, as she saw a [[HairOfGold gold lock of hair]] on [[DueToTheDead Agamemnon's tomb]]. Electra tells her this is impossible, and tries to persuade her to help kill Aegisthus. Chrysothemis rejects her and leaves Electra to her mourning.

{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. {{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. {{Aeschylus}}' ''Theatre/TheLibationBearers'' treats the same events as well.

Orestes and friends arrive in Argos, with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan take revenge]] on his mother Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]] for the murder of his father [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. His younger sister Electra meanwhile is busy lamenting Agamemnon's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her surviving sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

* SelfMadeOrphan: Orestes by the end. Electra likes to see herself as responsible too.

** Not only they're on your side, they will ''fuck your shit up'' if you don't do it. And you do NOT want to anger a freaking God.

Orestes and friends arrive in Argos with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan take revenge]] on his mother Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]] for the murder of his father [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. His younger sister Electra meanwhile is busy lamenting Agamemnon's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her surviving sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

Orestes and friends arrive in Argos with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan murder]] his mother Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]], in revenge for the death of his father [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. His younger sister Electra meanwhile is busy lamenting Agamemnon's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her surviving sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

Orestes and friends arrive in Argos with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan murder]] his mother Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]], in revenge for the death of his father [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. His younger sister Electra meanwhile is busy lamenting Agamemnon's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her other sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

Orestes arrives in disguise to convey his own ashes to his mother but stops to talk to Electra on the way. Eventually seeing how overwrought she is he reveals his identity and they happily reunite. When the moment finally presents itself, he kills both Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, as Electra revels in her salvation.

Orestes, and his friends arrive in Argos with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan murder]] Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]] in revenge for [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. His younger sister Electra, the protagonist, is busy lamenting her father's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her other sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

Clytemnestra arrives to mock Electra and together they receive a messenger bearing news of Orestes' death. Orestes' being her last hope, Electra is devastated, whereas Clytemnestra is greatly relieved. Chrysothemis returns happily to tell Electra that Orestes must have returned, as she saw a [[HairOfGold gold lock of hair]] on [[DueToTheDead Agamemnon's tomb]]. Electra tells her this is impossible, and tries to persuade her to help kill Aegisthus. Chrysothemis rejects her and leaves Electra to her mourning.

Play by {{Sophocles}}.

Orestes and his friends arrive in Argos with the intent to [[SelfMadeOrphan murder]] Clytemnestra and her lover [[EvilUncle Aegisthus]] in revenge for [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Agamemnon]]. Electra is busy lamenting her father's death and cursing her mother and step-father for her wretched existence. The chorus try to calm her down, but she is completely consumed by her passion. Chrysothemis, her sister, appears on her way to leave [[LibationForTheDead grave gifts]] from Clytemnestra at Agamemnon's tomb, and fails to convince her to act meekly to protect herself. Electra manages to convince Chrysothemis not to leave false gifts at the grave, but otherwise dismisses her completely.

* AbusiveParents: Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. They verbally abuse Electra, utterly neglect her, and eventually plan to seal her up in a cave to die.

* BlackSheep: Though Electra is treated like this for her obstinate behaviour, it's really Chrysothemis that is the BlackSheep (or possibly WhiteSheep) of the family. She's meek, feminine, and is the only one in the family who hasn't conspired to murder someone. In reality, Electra very much resembles the mother she loathes.

* DueToTheDead: Frequent throughout the story. Electra refuses to stop mourning her father until he is avenged. After having a foreboding dream, Clytemnestra sends grave offerings with Chrysothemis in hopes of appeasing Agamemnon's spirit. Electra stops her because a false offering would be an even worse slight to her father. Chrysothemis takes locks of their hair instead, only to find Orestes had done the same, despite receiving news of his death. Electra immediately begins ritual mourning once she hears her beloved brother has died in a chariot race.

* OedipusComplex: The female version wasn't called an "Electra Complex" for nothing. She is morbidly attached to her father and wants her mother dead.

* TheUnfavourite: Electra. Although to be fair, she loathes her mother and step-father and isn't hesistant about letting it be known. Orestes is too, but has been in exile since childhood so it's not as obvious.

{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. {{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. {{Aeschylus}}' ''TheLibationBearers'' treats the same events as well.

{{Sophocles}} principally focuses on Electra's destructive passions and bloodlust. {{Euripides}} also wrote an ''Electra'' based on the same story which is a rather different play. {{Aeschylus}}' ''Libation Bearers'' treats the same events as well.