How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used Lewis Campbell's translation.
Quote #1
THE OLD SLAVE
Dark night
Is vanished with her stars, and day's bright orb
Hath waked the birds of morn into full song. (17-20)
What does it mean that Orestes's arrival in Mycenae corresponds to dawn breaking? In other words, is the time of Orestes's arrival significant?
Quote #2
THE CHORUS
By frenzied lust the blow was given (197)
The Chorus claims that Agamemnon was murdered on account of the lust Clytemnestra and Aegisthus felt for each other. But Clytemnestra will later deny this claim. Unfortunately, we have no way of telling what motivated Clytemnestra and Aegisthus to carry out the regicide.
Quote #3
ELECTRA
Yet suffer me, dear women! Mighty force
Compels me. Who that had a noble heart
And saw her father's cause, as I have done,
By day and night more outraged, could refrain? (254-7)
Electra claims she is compelled to mourn her father. Does this mean she doesn't actually want to, and is only fulfilling a daughterly duty?