Electra

The power of speech continues to control narratives in this section. Paedagogus and Orestes’s plan initially requires that Electra be ignorant to their true identities, even as they interact with her. As Orestes attempts to take the fake ashes from Electra, she shouts that these “strangers” are disrespecting Orestes’s death rites. Orestes responds, “Hush, now. That language is wrong” (1621) and tells her that the “Orestes” she is holding is a lie (1627). Orestes reveals his true identity, and Electra’s response harkens back to Orestes’s statement that he will break on his enemies like a star—“Oh love, you break on me like light!” (1638). Electra proclaims that her brother, who was made dead by device, is now brought back to life by device. She questions how she was so easily and deliberately deceived: “I saw you come down that road a dead man, / I looked again and saw you alive. / You have used me strangely” (1751-1753). This moment illustrates words being used to influence perception. Words allow Orestes to occupy different identities and thus, are transformative. The reoccurring star and light imagery allude to this transformative nature, as Orestes suddenly and simultaneously changes shape in front of Electra.

The siblings become carried away in their reunion, and Paedagogus returns to remind them to act quickly. He explains, “I have just one word: act! / Now is the moment! / Clytemnestra is alone” (1822-1824). The juxtaposition of speech and taking action exists in constant tension throughout Electra. While words are powerful enough to influence narratives, if used unwisely, they can lead to one’s demise. Action, on the other hand, must be seized in the moment. Paedagogus reminds the siblings that if one waits too long to act, they may miss an ideal opportunity. Action becomes a refusal to let another speak, which in turn, prevents a possible change in narrative that may not benefit the siblings.