The choral ekphrasis in the first stasimon of the Electra of Euripides

The paper discusses the ekphrasis of Achilles' shield in the first stasimon of the Electra of Euripides as a key to the interpretation of the role of the chorus in the play. By alluding to the Homeric model of the Achilles' shield, the chorus suggests a comparison between Orestes and Achilles in order to justify the revenge required by Electra and to stir Orestes to action. The chorus, looking for a greater involvement in the tragedy, becomes narrator and, in a way, creator of the Achilles' weapons: the chorus women for a moment wear the cloak of messenger, but only as spokeswomen for the description of others. Such meta-literary device, in conjunction with the narrative technique of the indirect speech, ensures that the chorus women abandon their claim to eyewitness status in favour of a presentation that focuses on emotion and interpretation. The reference to the Gorgon in the real messenger's words proves the acceptance of the choral lesson and spurs women to sing the epinikion.