Oresteia

Act 1
In the tenth year of the Trojan War, a Watchman sights the signal fire bringing the message that Troy has fallen to the Greeks. Shortly thereafter, the great general himself arrives. He brings with him as his slave and mistress, Cassandra, princess of Troy. Clytemnestra greets Agamemnon. Agamemnon steps on the purple cloth and walks up the path into the palace. Cassandra, after wildly singing her prophecy of murder, also enters the palace. As the murdered bodies of Agamemnon and Cassandra are carried on to the stage, first Clytemnestra and then her lover, Aegisthus, brag about what they have done. Electra grieves over the body of her murdered father.

Act 2
Nearly ten years have passed. Orestes in disguise, accompanied by his friend Pylades, returns to Argos. Orestes briefly visits Agamemnon’s grave. Orestes hides as his sister Electra accompanied by her women friends proceeds from the palace to Agamemnon’s grave. The brother and sister joyfully reunite and join in praying to their father’s ghost for help in killing Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.Orestes, still in disguise,tells Clytemnestra that Orestes is dead. Then, Orestes kills Aegisthus. Clytemnestra recognizes the“stranger”as her son, Orestes. Despite her pleas, Orestes stabs his mother to death. Immediately, Clytemnestra’s ghost summons up the Furies, frightening primitive creatures, who chase Orestes away.

Act 3
Led by the ghost of Clytemnestra, the Furies pursue Orestes. He takes refuge in the temple of Apollo.There Apollo himself tells Orestes to seek the protection of Athene, Apollo’s sister and protector of the new city of Athens. Athene proposes a trial to determine whether or not Orestes is guilty. The Furies agree. A jury of Athenian citizens are assembled to hear the case. Because the jury vote is tie, Athene casts the deciding ballot—in favor of Orestes. Free at last, Orestes rules Argos. But the Furies are not satisfied. Finally Athene convinces the Furies to accept an honored place in Athens. The Furies are transformed into the Gentle Goddesses and the play ends with a festive procession and celebration.