Analysis

This scene is unusually short because the first part of the prologue is missing in ancient manuscripts of the play. In the lost portion, Orestes probably told about Apollo’s command to avenge Agamemnon since from the outset of the play Orestes seems to regard the murder of Clytaemestra as his unquestioned duty. He has come to Agamemnon’s tomb to ask the dead man’s spirit to assist in this undertaking and does not immediately identify himself to Electra and the women because of a prudent sense of caution.