Critical Articles
The following are critical articles on Sophocles' Electra, as well as other tellings and retellings of the myth. Each article is anotated with numbers, that correlate to a note on the seperate "Notes" PDF. Please feel free to contact Lexa with any questions or if you would like an article that explores a certain topic not provided in the following article.
Transgendering Clytemnestra
By Jennifer Rae McDermott
This article focuses on the portrayal of Clytemnestra in Aeschylus’ Oresteia and Homer’s Odyssey. McDermott argues that Clytemnestra is seen as a “more manly” character in The Oresteia, due to the fact that she takes action and responsibility for Agamemnon’s murder. In addition, she is given a plethora of dialogue that illustrates the complexities of her character. One might say that this is a strong and dominant portrayal of Clytemnestra, instead of using the phrase “manly.” However, the gender politics become a bit more clear when McDermott describes how Clytemnestra’s dominance, weakens the perception of Aegisthus. This is in great contract with Homer’s telling of the story, in which Aegisthus takes most of the responsibility for Agamemnon’s death and Clytemnestra is merely mentioned as aiding Aegithus. While this article does have some gender politics issues, it is an interesting exploration of how featuring Clytemnestra’s dominance effects both the perception of her character and her relationship to Aegisthus.
A Trilogy for Clytemnestra, the Feminist
By David Richards
This is a production review of a devised work by The Guthrie Theater that wove pieces of Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis, Aeschylus' Agamemnon, and Sophocles' Electra, to create a trilogy specifically for Clytemnestra. While this is a production review, it provides an interesting perspective on how to interpret the characters in Electra throughout Greek drama.
The Tragedy of Electra, According to Sophocles
By J. T. Sheppard
This article provides an interesting interpretation to Orestes and Electra’s motivations for matricide. In addition, Sheppard provides some insight on the Servants monologue about the Pythian Games and how Sophocles has gone about shaping the tragedy in Electra. While I do not agree with everything Sheppard is stating, his ideas provide helpful insight in to different ways Electra can be interpreted.
This article explores Electra and Chrysothemis' relationship, Electra's belief that Clytemnestra’s dream is a premonition of Orestes returning, and how Electra’s repetition of other’s language can be interpreted in a way that makes her an ironic character.
Electra or Chrysothemis: The Assignment of Sophocles’ Electra
By Dale A. Grote