Orestes arrives to report that Pyrrhus is dead at the altar. As Pyrrhus placed the crown on Andromache's head and swore friendship and fatherhood to Astyanax, recognizing him as legitimate King of Troy, the affronted Greek embassy fell upon him so furiously that Orestes himself found no opportunity to strike a blow.
"What have they done?" cries Hermione, and Orestes apologizes that her vengeance has been carried out by the other Greeks rather than by him personally. But Hermione tells him to be quiet--the sight of him horrifies her. He has slain the man she loves; why? who told him to?
"You yourself," replies Orestes. But Hermione upbraids him for obeying a woman mad with jealously. Rather, he should have understood her true feelings, asked her a hundred times if she meant it before he obeyed her. His embassy has been a fatal one, influencing Pyrrhus to choose Andromache; except for Orestes, Pyrrhus might still be wavering between Andromache and Hermione, might even be loving Hermione or pretending to. She bids Orestes farewell, saying she is renouncing Greece and her family forever.
