Multiple Perspectives

As the lecturer mentioned before the play, Sophocles seemed to have an affinity for dialogue. While the play was full of lengthy, dramatic monologues, these were broken up by snappy, often argumentative periods of back and forth rhetoric. 

There were numerous arguments over the course of the play, mainly focusing on Electra's hatred of her mother for killing her father, and her desires for her brother to come and avenge the travesty. It was these arguments and moral questioning that filled the body of the play. In the words of Dylan P, "the narrative stole the show". The powerful narrative, which was made even more effective by the physical actions and reactions of the actors, made for some very convincing arguments. While I of course most often sided with Electra (as the heroine), I found myself sometimes being pulled to see opposing point of views, particularly those of  Clytemnsestra and Chrysothemis.

Chrysothemis (Electra's sister) has good intentions, and when Electra was whining and dramatically waving her arms around, Chrysothemis' arguments seemed that much more well thought out. Even though Chrysothemis was clearly acting out of self interest, I couldn't help but agree when the Chorus told the sisters that perhaps they would be better off if they would listen to each other. As total contraries in how they chose to handle the situation, it was easy to see how they could balance each other out.

Electra, however, adds ethos to her argument with her constant prayers to the gods-- appeals to the supernatural. If her perpetual mourning pleases the gods, then how could she possibly just "submit to authority" as Chrysothemis suggests?

Finally, Clytemnestra, Electra's mother, makes some convincing arguments towards her side of the story. After, all, if Agamemnon sacrificed their daughter, it was only natural that she should feel some bitterness towards him. Alysha D elaborates on this in her post. This is an easy to see example of the topic of invention "cause and effect".