The scene is set in a back courtyard of the palace of the Atreides. The time is antiquity.

Maids gossip about the Princess Elektra. She lives like a mad animal. ls she mad because she has been forced to live like an animal or has she been forced to live like an animal because she is mad? Opinions differ. The maids go in to their work.

Elektra enters. She invokes her father Agamemnon, recalling how he was murdered on his return from Troy by her mother and her mother’s lover. She renews her vow to avenge the murder with the assistance of her long-exiled brother Orest.

Elektra is joined by her sister Chrysothemis who warns her that their mother is agitated and that Elektra may suffer for it. Chrysothemis will not dedicate herself solely to revenge, but longs for a husband and children; a normal life. As they hear sounds of victims being driven to sacrifice, Chrysothemis flees at the approach of their mother.

Queen Klytemnestra enters, bemoaning the fate that gave her a witch for a daughter, but also revealing that fear of Elektra’s powers is the reason she has not killed her daughter. Klytemnestra recalls the monstrous spiral of murders and sacrifices which have made up her life. ls there not some definitive sacrifice which will bring an end to the spiral, she asks Elektra. The thoughts of both mother and daughter tum to the exiled Orest. Elektra accuses Klytemnestra of trying to arrange the murder of Orest in the hope that it will be the sacrifice to end the spiral. Klytemnestra denies it, but reveals that the torment of her life is fear of the vengeance of Orest and Elektra. Elektra announces that the necessary sacrifice is that of Klytemnestra herself. Klytemnestra is saved by the entrance of a servant who whispers something to her. Klytemnestra looks triumphant and leaves Elektra alone in the courtyard.

Chrysothemis comes to tell Elektra that strangers have arrived with the news that Orest is dead. Elektra tries to persuade her sister to assist her in the murders of their mother and Aegisth. Chrysothemis flees. Elektra prepares to do the deed herself, but is interrupted by one of the newsbearers. They do not recognize one another at first, but as Elektra identifies herself, he reveals himself as Orest, come home, to fulfill their common purpose.

Orest is taken inside for an audience with Klytemnestra and screams soon relieve the suspense of Elektra. The mother has been murdered.

Aegisth, the stepfather, enters, called home from hunting to hear the report of Orest’s death. Elektra’s warm greeting, in such contrast to her usual behavior, perplexes him. He enters the palace and meets his death.

Chrysothemis and the servants of the palace rejoice in being freed of the tyranny of Klytemnestra and Aegisth. Elektra dances exultantly, but the dance becomes a frenzy. The revenge that had become the sole purpose of her life has been accomplished. She collapses, dead, as Chrysothemis calls for Orest.