They killed an honored man by cunning, so they die by cunning, caught in the same noose. (lines 556–558)

Orestes speaks these words as he begins to outline his plan for killing Aigisthos. It is significant that in laying out this plan, he makes no mention of what he intends to do about Clytamnestra. However, while he does not address it directly, he alludes to his intention to kill his mother in this quote, as he speaks of the killers in the plural form.

Orestes's statement pays homage to the old laws laid out by the chorus in the quote discussed previously. Although warriors in battle should confront their enemies directly, Clytamnestra and Aigisthos forfeited that right when they tricked Agamemnon into making himself vulnerable to murder. Thus, Orestes is justified in his approach to the confrontation.

This line is echoed again nearing the climax of the play, when Clytamnestra asks who is shouting up and down the halls, and the servant tells her that the dead are killing the living. Immediately recognizing that Orestes has plotted against her, Clytamnestra says, "By cunning we die, precisely as we killed" (line 888).

For a discussion of the 'noose', which can also mean 'snare' or 'net', see the Themes section of this SparkNote.