Hermione, left alone, expresses her hatred for Pyrrhus, whose very apology was indifferent and cold, and then her horror at the thought that she may at any moment be responsible for his death. Cleone arrives to tell her that the procession to the temple is taking place. Andromache, neither sad nor joyful, walks obediently with Pyrrhus, who seems untroubled and radiantly happy.
Orestes and his Greeks are already at the temple, Cleone reports, but she is not certain whether Orestes will strike the fatal blow or not; he is hesitating, afraid to earn the dreadful names of assassin and regicide. Infuriated, Hermione cries that she is sure he will let the occasion pass. Her mother, Helen of Troy, found thousands of men to fight and die for her, but Hermione cannot persuade even one to avenge her. She will go herself to strike down Pyrrhus or perhaps Orestes.
