Orestes, disguised, pays respect at the tomb of his father. While he was there, he heard somebody coming. He thought he heard his sister crying. Orestes wanted to hide because he wanted to assure himself if the woman crying was his sister. But his tutor disagreed and suggested to not talk to her at all.
Electra comes to the grave with shows of mourning. She poured libations in homage to his father. She also prayed to the gods to bring her brother back. She was desperate because he was her only hope. The chorus entered, relieving Electra of her miseries. Then Electra’s sister, Chrysothemis, followed. She warns Electra that she was not allowed to go outside. Chrysothemis thinks that they are powerless to their mother and stepfather and that they should follow everything they want them to do. Electra thinks very differently. Electra then asked her why she was there. Chrysothemis told her that their mother, Clytemnestra, ordered her to give offerings to their father’s tomb in an attempt to appease his ghost. She told Electra that their mother sent her because she had terrible nightmares. Chrysothemis told her that their mother saw their father return to life in her dream. She saw him take the scepter from Aegisthus and planted it on the altar where it burst into a leafy bloom, casting a shadow upon the house. These visions scared Clytemnestra.
Orestes makes a plan: he and his tutor, disguised, will gain entry into the palace so they could have the chance to kill Orestes’ mother.
There is a scene change from the tomb of Agamemnon to just outside the palace of Clytemnestra. Orestes’ tutor approached the doors to the palace and pretended to be a foreign traveler who will bring Clytemnestra great news: Orestes is dead. She welcomes them. She then sends for Aegisthus so that he can hear the important news.
When Electra heard about the news, she was devastated. When Orestes knew that his sister was mourning his death, he revealed himself to her and told her the whole truth. She was in high spirits. He then told her his plan of killing their mother. Electra agreed. All they had to do now is wait for an opportune moment to slay her.
When Clytemnestra was alone, Orestes took advantage and killed his mother. When Aegisthus returns, he was shocked not only because Orestes was back at Argos and alive but also because his wife was killed by her own son. He then got scared of Orestes. Then he told Aegisthus that it was his turn to die. Orestes then led him to the palace. When they were inside, Aegisthus screamed. The Chorus rejoiced.
