Cinema: The Tragic Sense of Life

Electra. Wide-ruling Agamemnon, home from Troy triumphant, straightway is murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. who usurps dominion of Mycenae. Agamemnon's son Orestes is spirited to safety by his tutor, but the dead king's daughter Electra is held in duress till she comes of age, and then is wed precautiously to a poor farmer—the sons of such a man, Aegisthus reasons, cannot hope to occupy a throne, and therefore would not dare to kill him. Vain precautions. Orestes returns secretly and at Electra's furious insistence, slaughters the usurper and his evil bride. The gods approve the murder of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!