In answer to Hermione's question as to whether it is love or duty which has brought him to see her, Orestes declares that despite all his efforts to forget her and find death amid cruel barbarians, he has survived and come once again to hear her, more cruel than they, kill him by refusing his love. Hermione reminds him that he has more important duties in Epirus than to talk about love and barbarians, and he tells her that Pyrrhus has refused to give up Astyanax. He has therefore come to try his fate with her, even though he knows it is hopeless.
She tells him she has often longed to see him, that she has always admired him, pitied him, wanted to return his love. Orestes understands: Her heart belongs to Pyrrhus. But Pyrrhus loves another. Angered, Hermione invites him to raise all Greece against Pyrrhus if he wishes, but when he urges her to come too, she temporizes. At last, she tells him to ask Pyrrhus whether he will have Andromache or herself; if he sends her away, she will go with Orestes.
Orestes, left alone, is confident he can make Pyrrhus reject her. But when Pyrrhus arrives he has been listening to the cautious advice of Phoenix, and he tells Orestes that he may take Astyanax. What is more, the following day he will wed Hermione in the presence of the Greek embassy. Stunned, Orestes departs.
