Friday, April 29, 2011

Electra by Sophocles


Electra by Sophocles is a play that revolves around the idea of revenge. Nearly all characters seek to right some wrong that was done on to them creating a cycle of hate and disgust. The basis of the story centers on Electra and her misery at the murder of her father Agamemnon. While her father being killed is a tragedy in itself, it’s amplified by the fact that his death was at the hands of his wife Clytemnestra and her new lover Aegisthus. Agamemnon’s surviving children must deal with the fact that their father, a great war hero, was cut down in such a cruel and backstabbing way. The children begin to plan to take out revenge on the pair of murderers for killing their father.

At the beginning of the play we learn that Electra had taken her younger brother Orestes and sent him away to escape the household of murderers while Electra and her younger sister Chrysothemis are left to the unfair treatment of Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. Electra herself is treated as a slave in her own father’s household and kept inside the palace while Aegisthus is away and is forced to wear rags. While Chrysothemis is not treated as harshly, she lives suppressed by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus and believes it’s better to follow what they say than to create misery by speaking out.

Partway through the play we find out another reason for the murder of Agamemnon other than the fact that Clytemnestra had taken interest in a new man. Agamemnon had upset the goddess Athena and as a way to repay her and let her have her revenge, he had to sacrifice his young daughter. This action rightly upset his wife to where she sought revenge upon him. The cycle does not stop here though.

To get revenge on the people that murdered Agamemnon, Electra and Orestes come up with a plan. The plan begins with pretending that Orestes had died in a chariot accident. While their parents think he is dead, he will come to the palace acting as someone else. Once he gains access, they will take the first step of their plan by murdering their mother Clytemnestra. They will then wait until Aegisthus returns before executing their second step.


1. Is there any good to getting revenge?


2. Have you ever gotten revenge on someone? (Stories are nice!)

9 comments:

Vanessa D. 13-14 said...

2.) I'm not sure if saying I got revenge would be the right term, just because I think I would make matters worse, but I just write songs (which sounds kind of lame) but, I have to think if one day one of my songs were to hit the radio and the person I wrote about was singing it or it was their favorite song THAT would be pretty funny to me. It'd be like an inside joke with myself, which I guess that gives me enough satisfaction hahah

Kristen R. 11-12 said...

To answer the first question, I agree with Vanessa. I do not know if there is necessarily any good in getting revenge against someone. Revenge typically makes a situation worse; I think a person most often "gets revenge" when he or she decides to be the bigger person and focuses more on making his or herself happy as opposed to making the other person miserable. To answer the second question, I cannot think of one incident where I purposely set out to get revenge on someone. While initially, the thought of getting back at someone who has hurt you or caused you grief seems like the only viable option, one must realize that it will indeed cause more problems. This is the reason that I have not seeked revenge on anyone; I simply will ignore the situation or talk to the person to ensure that the person is aware of my dissatisfaction.

Mike B 13-14 said...

There is never a time when revenge is the solution to a problem. Revenge just causes more problems and can create and endless cycle of revenge. People may think revenge would make them feel better but it isnt the case. I try not to seek revenge on people that have wronged me because i know it will not solve anything.

Kara K. 5/6 said...

1. I thing that there usually never is a situation where revenge is good. It is like the saying that two wrongs do not make a right. If someone does something bad to you, you do not have the autority to do something bad back to them. This will create a pattern where each person keeps tryin to hurt the other. Revenge may sounds like a good idea in the beggining when it first is planned, but once a person does it, usually they end up feeling guilty.
2. I have the same thoughts as Kristen on this one. I cannot think of a time where I tried to obtain revenge on someone. I feel that talking a situation out is better than just trying to shut someone down. Talking issues out works better than fighting with each other. When one has an angry mindset, they are unable to proccess much of what is going on, that is also why many people regret taking revenge on someone, because they knew after the fact that it was not the right choice.

Kaitlyn S. 13-14 said...

I have to agree with you guys on how revenge doesn't solve anything. The only thing I could see is that brief moment of satisfaction that doesn't even last long making the whole thing not worth it. It does almost seem like the characters in the play will be happier acting out their revenge than if they continued living as they did.

Vanessa, that sounds like it would be really hilarious. The irony would be great! It's also good that it's not even hurting anyone either.

Justin B. 11-12 said...

1) I once heard the saying "people seek revenge for the same reason they eat candy or be lazy, it may not be healthy but it makes them feel good" so if you approach the "is there any good" question from the perspective of the person getting the revenge, then yes there is good because it probably made them feel good. If you approach it from the grand scheme of things then usually there is minimal good, if any (an exception would be if someone got revenge on Hitler before he shot himself) Anyone who has played a competitive game (whether it be online or in real life) knows how good it feels to beat someone (get revenge essentially) who has beaten you before.

Kaitlyn S. 13-14 said...

That is an interesting quote and I think it fits nicely! I can definitely relate to the competitive game thing. Perhaps there are certain instances where getting revenge feels good with minimal repercussions.

Erika B 13-14 said...

I agree with Mike and Kara - revenge just causes more problems. Though it may seem like a good idea when you're mad, that is just your anger talking. If you choose to use revenge on someone, you will just end up causing more trouble for yourself. Revenge tends to turn into an endless cycle, and the only way to get out of it is to be a bigger person and accept what happened.

Julie S. 5-6 said...

I think that the only good you get from revenge is a feeling of satisfaction. Unfortunately, that satisfaction only lasts until you realize you're just as bad as them. I think the best revenge is to prove yourself to be better.