Word: zeus
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...Orestes observes the rite, during which Electra defies Zeus by performing a joyous dance. Just as the town is nearly liberated from its guilt by her own freedom, Zeus makes a sign of his presence, and Electra fails. But her dance nonetheless forces Orestes to murder Aegistheus and Clytemnestra. Aegistheusis too weary of repentence to resist...
...debate between Orestes and Zeus. Zeus attempts to convince the hero to alone for his crimes, and though Electra is convinced of her guilt, Orestes resists. He silences the mob of towns-folk, tells them that he takes upon himself their sins, and, like the pied piper, leads the buzzing swarm of flies from the town...
...redemption of the people. However, unless I sorely misunderstand the play, the surface clarity of structure disguises a number of deep philosophic muddles. Electra assures Orestes that by committing his murders, he is merely fulfilling the curse on the House of Atreus; Orestes, on the other hand, assures Zeus that by killing the tyrant he is fulfilling himself. Certainly he never for an instant feels the remorse which Electra's interpretation of his act would make necessary--but Electra does. The play's great weakness is its Second Act, in which Orestes makes his decision, because we never know...
...Orestes leads the flies from Argos, it is to a lonely exile. But why? Is Argos redeemed by his act? At one instant Orestes tells us in Christian language that it is; at another Christianity vanishes, and the redemption becomes inexplicable. Orestes' motivation is obscure, and his relationship with Zeus is far from clear...
...acting, however, rescues the production. Jere Whiting is a superb Zeus; the crafty and malignant god is aware of his limited power over the free, guiltless Orestes, but exploits anyone else willing to fear him. Whiting's grace and style provide the only light touch in a production too full of screams and heavy gestures. Philip Kerr gives a solid performance as Orestes. He seems as unable as I to account for Orestes' sudden commitment, but he understands perfectly each stage in Orestes' development. Thanks largely to Kerr, the play is clear and powerful...