Mourning Becomes Electra

"Mourning Becomes Electra" is a play cycle written by prominent American playwright Eugene O'Neill. This work is the 20-century version of the ancient Greek tragedy "Oresteia" written by Aeschylus in the 5th century B.C. The Greek play concerns the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, and the end of the curse on the House of Atreus. The characters of the modern play parallel characters from the ancient Greek plays. For example, Agamemnon from the Oresteia becomes General Ezra Mannon. Clytemnestra becomes Christine, Orestes becomes Orin, etc. The play features murder, adultery, incestuous love, and revenge like the Greek tragedy.