Julia Eckley September 30th 2019 THEA

331 CLASSICAL SPIRIT IN DRAMA

Dr. Katharine B. Free

Quiz # 7: Sophocles’ ​Electra

1. How was Agamemnon killed? Who killed him?

Clymenstra killed Agamemnon with the aid of her lover and his cousin,

Aegisthus, by trapping him with nets and robes in the bath and attacking him.

2. What does Chrysothemis warn Electra about Clytemnestra and Aegisthus? What is

Electra’s reaction to the news?

Chrysothemis warns her older sister Electra that Aegisthus, her stepfather, plans

to imprison Electra keeping her in her room when he returns to the country. Electra

responds as if she is accepting the challenge Aegisthus poses her with.

3. Why does Clytemnestra offer a sacrifice to Apollo?

Clytemnestra has a nightmare the night before leaves her terrified. She hopes to

appease Agammemnon's spirit but cannot bring herself to go on her own so she sends
 Chrysothemis to the grave with offerings. She hopes by offering sacrifices to Apollo the

oracle that Orestes will return to avenge his father will not come true.

4. How does Orestes recognize Electra? How does she recognize him?

Orestes only recognizes Electra once he sees the pain she shows lamenting over what she

believes to be her brothers ashes. When he realizes his sister is before him he reveals

himself as Orestes and shows her their father, Agammemnon’s, ring as proof of his

identity.

5. How is the ​ekkyklema ​used in this play?

The ekkyklema would have been utilized in the reveal of Clytemnestra's dead body.