An analysis of how dikh (‘justice’) and its associated values are

An analysis of how dikh (‘justice’) and its associated values are presented and translated in two passages from Sophocles: Electra.
What broader issues are raised and how would these be investigated further? The concept of dikh, or ‘justice’ has many subtle meanings and variations in Ancient Greek ranging from the primary definition given in LS (Liddell and Scotts, ‘Greek-English Lexicon’, Intermediate,
1889, page 202) of custom to right, judgement, lawsuit, penalty and vengeance. The OCD (Hornblower S, Oxford Classical Dictionary, 1996,
Page 469) reference to Likh describes it as the, ‘personification of justice’ and the daughter of Zeus that, ‘reports men’s wrongdoing to
Zeus’.

Sophocles’ rendition of the tragic play …show more content…

This is strange, especially as the remaining children conspire and eventually murder those responsible for their father’s death. They presumably feel otherwise. In just this one passage justice is used to mean custom, just, revenge and vengeance.

The second extract follows immediately after the news of Orestes death
(Ibid., pg 91) when Clytaemnestra, after a brief moment of sorrow is joyous at the news that her life is now safe. In contrast we see that
Electra is devastated (Ibid., line 789) at the news. The idea of justice and revenge is brought to a climax here as Clytaemnestra feels that, ‘Justice is done to him’. Would this be justice to Orestes for not doing ‘his duty’ or to Agamemnon for sacrificing his child? This compares well with the previous passage where Clytaemnestra accuses
Electra of not doing her duty (Ibid., pg 84, line 526). Electra cries out to Likh, ‘Goddess of Vengeance, hear and speak for the dead’.

It is clear from the many interpretations of dikh and its use in
Sophocles’ Electra that other, broader issues can be raised. The very concepts of justice, revenge, honour and custom are exposed in detail. Understanding these issues and the language used requires further study of the period, language, laws, customs and traditions.

The most important issue raised by this play is that of how do we (or more specifically the Greeks watching the play) feel about matricide