Electra, pages 42-66 Summary

The chorus hears something happening in the distance and calls to Electra. She hears noise, but can't make out what's happening. A messenger comes and announces Orestes' success. Aegisthus is dead. At first, Electra is unwilling to believe the messenger, but then she realizes that she's talking to her brother's servant. Electra asks him to tell her the details of what happened:

Orestes and his party found Aegisthus walking in the meadow. Aegisthus greets the strangers and asks who they are. Orestes says they are Thessalians on a journey to make a sacrifice to Zeus. Aegisthus begs the travelers to join him for a feast and welcomes them, offering them water to wash. Orestes says they've washed at the river but accepts the invitation to join the feast. Aegisthus's guards start preparing for the feast. Aegisthus throws barley on...