Castor

Family: Gods · Role: son of Zeus · First appears: Euripides, Orestes — Scene 10

Castor is a divine son of Zeus, named alongside his twin Pollux as one of the Tyndaridæ and sons of Jove. Tyndareus and Leda are also identified as his parents, while Helen is his sister; she is condemned for disgracing him, yet Castor and Pollux are later described as her immortal protectors. After Castor and Pollux vanished from human sight and were reported dead, they appeared as gods in Ægypt’s realm, ordering Theoclymenus to restrain his anger and spare Theonoe, then directing Helen and Menelaus to sail together. “We your protectors / And your twin brothers, on our coursers borne / Over the waves, will guide you to your country.”

In the same divine role, Castor and Pollux declare that Helen will become a goddess and share their worship after her mortal life. In Electra, Castor is recalled as Electra’s ancient named bridegroom, and later appears with Pollux as kin and as the sons of Clytemnestra’s mother. He orders Electra to marry Pylades, commands Orestes to leave Argos and live in exile, and tells him that he will face trial for Clytemnestra’s blood, where equal judgment will set him free: “There shalt thou stand arraignèd of this blood; / And of those judges half shall lay on thee / Death, and half pardon; so shalt thou go free.”