Like many surviving Greek tragedies, the exact date of the composition of Electra remains elusive. Nevertheless, scholars have posited that certain stylistic elements suggest it was likely penned towards the end of Sophocles' life.
The tale of Orestes' quest for vengeance holds a unique allure, primarily because it is possibly the sole narrative for which we possess a comprehensive treatment by each of the three prominent Greek dramatists: Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides. While Homer briefly touches upon Orestes' matricide in the Odyssey, it is Aeschylus' Oresteia that delves deeply into the Orestes saga and against which Electra must be contemplated to unveil its full complexity....
