Explore "The Libation Bearers" by Aeschylus on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Dramatis Personae / Orestes, son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra / Electra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra / Clytemnestra, formerly wife to Agamemnon, now wedded to Aigisthos / Aigisthos, son of Thyestes, blood-foe to Agamemnon, and now Tyrant of Argos / Pylades, son of Strophios, King of Phôkis, friend to Orestes / The Old Nurse of Orestes / A Slave of Aigisthos / Chorus of Bondmaids in the House of Clytemnestra and Aigisthos
The scene represents the Grave of Agamemnon, a mound of earth in a desolate expanse. The time is afternoon. Orestes and Pylades in the garb of travellers, with swords at their sides, are discovered. Orestes' hair is cut short, that of Pylades streams down his back. Both look grim and travel-stained. Orestes holds a long tress of hair in his hand.2