Orestes
Orestes is the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and brother to Electra. As a baby, he narrowly escaped being killed by his father's usurper; he was rescued by rich Athenians and brought up far away from Argos. He is handsome, delicately and nobly featured; he has a strong will and an even stronger sense of self. He comes to see that he is completely and utterly free, and that when he takes an action he need not feel remorse. Thus, he murders his mother and Aegistheus and refuses to regret this action. He desires to lead the people of Argos but leaves them for a time so they can figure things out for themselves. He tries to convince Electra to see things as he does, but she ultimately cannot and must stay behind.
Electra
Electra, the sister of Orestes and daughter of Clytemnestra and the murdered Agamemnon, is an outcast who spends her days doing chores for the mother and stepfather she despises and dreaming of the return of her strong and noble brother. She is defiant and bold in speech, but when Orestes arrives and kills the usurper and Clytemnestra, Electra is shocked and horrified. She does not feel the elation she thought she would, and eventually admits she feels remorse. Thus, she does not attain the freedom and self-actualization Orestes does, and is doomed to be plagued by Zeus and the Furies.
Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra is the mother of Orestes and Electra, former wife (and murderer) of Agamemnon, and wife of the usurper Aegistheus. She is a conniving, callous woman who does not care much for her daughter (or missing son). She wears the mantle of remorse heavily on her shoulders.
Aegistheus
Aegistheus is Queen Clytemnestra's lover and now husband. The two conspired to kill Agamemnon so Aegistheus could rule Argos. He was once power-hungry and helped fashion the "day of the dead" chicanery to keep the people in check. While he still goes about his self-appointed duties and admonishes Electra for speaking out against them, he is weary of all this lying and toil. He expresses to Zeus that he does not care if Orestes kills him, and indeed, when Orestes does, he shows no regret. He dies warning Orestes of the flies.
Agamemnon
Agamemnon is Queen Clytemnestra's husband whom she killed, father of Orestes and Electra, and rightful ruler of Argos. He does not appear in the play.
The Tutor
The tutor is Orestes's companion, accompanying him on his travels. He is protective of Orestes and wants them to leave Argos, a place he finds quite distasteful. He encourages Orestes to remember and be grateful of the learning he has instilled in him.
Zeus
The king of the gods, Zeus is a wily and prideful figure. He encourages Aegistheus and Clytemnestra in their manipulations of the people because he prefers mankind to be in thrall to him rather than free. He is annoyed by Electra's behavior and is able to influence her to stay remorseful and thus bound to him; however, he cannot sway Orestes because the young man knows he is free.
The High Priest
The high priest is tasked with conducting the rites on the day of the dead. He dances and calls forth the dead, instructing them to haunt their living loved ones.
The Furies
The Furies, beholden to Zeus, are the flies of the play and seek to destroy Orestes and Electra at the end. They are ravenous, cruel, and grotesque. They desire to mutilate and maim those who cross their paths and do not feel remorse.
