The Chorus tells of Clytemnestra's dream: that she gave birth to and nursed a serpent that kills her in the end. Orestes is encouraged by the good omen, seeing success in his plan to kill her. He hatches his plot: he'll gain entrance to the palace disguised as a traveling stranger. Then he'll walk up to Aegisthus and kill him. [Yes, it's really that simple.]
The Chorus contemplates the pattern of history, of women killing the men they're closest to and being killed in return. Althea, who killed her son; Scylla, who killed her father; the women of Lemnos, who all killed their husbands. And now the pattern looks to be repeated again.
Orestes, in disguise, enters the palace and is met by Clytemnestra. He says he brings the message of the death of Orestes to his family. Clytemnestra appears distraught, and goes to tell the household while the stranger is accommodated. But the Chorus of women speaks to Orestes' old nurse Cilissa, who says Clytemnestra is secretly pleased, for the one threat against her power is no more. The Chorus, barely able to contain their excitement, tell her to make sure Aegisthus comes to meet the stranger unarmed, but won't tell what's about to happen next. Chorus, to themselves: "It's finally happening! We're about to see the murder we've been waiting for. Everything is gonna be awesome now!"
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