First, it is important to break down what factors decide who should be the titular character. These can be summed up as: who suffers the most during the play, who drives forward the action and who's thoughts and emotions are given more focus.Suffers the most-> Orestes: Exiled from his homeland, ends the play fleeing to Athens pursued by Furies. Electra: Forced to marry far below her station, but ends the play restored to her previous status and promised to a more suitable husband.Orestes is the more tragic characterDrives forwards the action -> Orestes: The plan cannot be put in place until he returns home, he is the one to actually kill Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Electra: Comes up with the plan and puts it into motion, persuades Orestes to actually follow the plan and kill Clytemnestra. Electra drives forwards the plot moreGiven more focus-> Orestes: Tells the audience about his suffering, his debate over whether it is right to kill Clytemnestra is an important plot point. Electra: She is introduced to us first, she speaks about her suffering more, her showdown with Clyemnestra is shown to the audience (unlike Orestes' showdown with Aegisthus) Electra receives more attention
Although Orestes suffers more, Electra drives the action forward and her character and emotions receive more exploration
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