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| Character | Electra | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | |
| Age Range(s) | Teenager (13-19), Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Persuasive, Lamenting, Frustrated, Insecure | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Ancient Greek | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Electra pours the libations on her father's grave | |
Summary
The Libation Bearers is the sequel to Agamemnon. In the previous play Agamemnon is killed by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegistus for having sacrificed his daughter during the Trojan war.
In the Libation Bearers Clytemnestra's daughter Electra (who she keeps as a slave) and her son Orestes (who had been sent away in exile since he was a kid) unite to avenge their father's death by killing their mother and her lover.
The play starts with Clytemnestra having disturbing dreams such as giving birth to a snake. Thinking that it is a sign of the god's wrath she sends her daughter to her father's grave to pour libations.
In this monologue Electra is pouring the libations on her father's grave. She asks other serving women to join her as, she argues, they all share the common hatred for the ruling house. She wonders how she should pour the libations, if invoking her mother's love, invoking her father or just pour them in silence.
In the Libation Bearers Clytemnestra's daughter Electra (who she keeps as a slave) and her son Orestes (who had been sent away in exile since he was a kid) unite to avenge their father's death by killing their mother and her lover.
The play starts with Clytemnestra having disturbing dreams such as giving birth to a snake. Thinking that it is a sign of the god's wrath she sends her daughter to her father's grave to pour libations.
In this monologue Electra is pouring the libations on her father's grave. She asks other serving women to join her as, she argues, they all share the common hatred for the ruling house. She wonders how she should pour the libations, if invoking her mother's love, invoking her father or just pour them in silence.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| ELECTRA: Ye captive women, ye who tend this home, Since ye are present to escort with me These lustral rites, your counsel now I crave. How, while I pour these off'rings on the tomb, Speak friendly words? and how invoke my Sire? Shall I declare that from a loving wife To her dear lord I bear them? from my mother? My courage fails, now know I what to speak, Pouring libations on my father's tomb. Or shall I pray, as holy wont enjoins, That to the senders of these chaplets, he Requital may accord, ay! meed of ill. Or, with no mark of honour, silently, For so my father perished, shall I pour These offerings, potion to be drunk by earth, Then, tossing o'er my head the lustral urn, (As one who loathèd refuse forth has cast,) With eyes averted, back retrace my steps? Be ye partakers in my counsel, friends, For in this house one common hate we share. Through fear hide not the feelings of your heart; For what is destined waits alike the free And him o'ermastered by another's hand;-- If ye have aught more wise to urge, say on. |
