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The Ancients

Elektra: Revenge in Ancient Greece

Mar 2, 2025
In a captivating discussion, Professor Armand D’Angour, a classicist and musician from Oxford, shares insights on Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon. They explore her complex character through the lens of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, revealing contrasting themes of vengeance and justice. D’Angour highlights how these ancient narratives reflect contemporary issues of morality and female agency. Additionally, he discusses the recent London stage adaptation, emphasizing Elektra's enduring legacy and relevance in modern storytelling.
56:55

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Elektra's quest for vengeance illustrates the complex interplay of familial betrayal, justice, and morality within Greek tragedy.
  • The contrasting portrayals of Elektra by different playwrights reveal evolving perceptions of female agency and psychological depth in ancient narratives.

Deep dives

The Origins of Electra's Tragedy

Electra’s tragic narrative begins with her father, Agamemnon, who sacrifices her sister, Iphigenia, to appease the goddess Artemis and ensure safe passage to Troy for his army. This act of sacrifice not only sets the stage for Agamemnon's eventual downfall but also establishes a deep vein of familial betrayal that runs throughout the story. Upon Agamemnon's return, driven by rage and grief, his wife Clytemnestra murders him as revenge for the death of Iphigenia. This horrific cycle of violence ignites Electra’s insatiable quest for justice, intertwining themes of revenge and morality that resonate through the works of ancient Greek playwrights.

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