Study Guide
Aeschylus, The Libation Bearers

Libations are sacrifices poured out (wine, blood, in Orestes's case hair) to some superhuman power. The power in question here is the dead, namely Agamemnon. He rages in hell, haunts Clytemnestra with nightmares. Electra has been sent to appease her father on behalf of her mother. Electra is attended by a chorus of women, Trojans enslaved by the Myceneans and hence with an agenda of their own.

1. The chorus: what role do they play? what is their point of view?
2. Discuss the principle of justice, as expressed by the Chorus.
3. What is a virtuous woman, according to the Chorus?  Why do the Chorus hate Clytemnestra, especially when, as slaves,  they could see her as their avenger?
4. Explain the points of view in the face-to-face confrontation between Orestes and Clytemnestra.
5. The Chorus really believes that Orestes's murder of Clytemnestra will restore balance to the House of Atreus and will drive away the Furies (l. 957, 960); and that a cure to the curse must come from within that house itself (l. 457-60); and that Apollo wills it (l. 944).  Contrast this point of view with the guilt Orestes feels (l. 990).  Did Orestes conjure up the Furies himself?

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