Subject of Euripides's Oresteia, Orestes was pursued by the Furies for killing his mother.

British portrait and history painter.

Popular as a poet, novelist, and author of short tales, Amelia Alderson was the wife of artist John Opie, a significant figure in the circle of Norwich religious dissenters. Her better-known novels and tales include The Father and Daughter, A Tale, in Prose (1801), Adeline Mowbray; or, The Mother and Daughter (1805), Tales of Real Life (1813), and Tales of the Heart (1820). Her volume Poems appeared in 1802. Her contributions to the abolition debate include The Negro Boy's Tale (1824) and The Black Man's Lament; or, How to Make Sugar (1826).

Character in William Shakespeare's drama Hamlet.

Speaker of the House of Commons from 1728-1761.

A central character in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," Olivia is a countess admired by Malvolio, Sir Andrew, and Duke Orsino. However, Olivia falls in love with Cesario, the identity with which Viola disguises herself whilst shipwrecked in Illyria. Olivia mistakenly marries Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, and the two are happy, as the twins are extremely similar in looks and personality.

Character in Samuel Richardson's The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1754).

A highly lauded London actress, Oldfield was among the highest paid of her profession during her time.

John O’Keefe was an Irish librettist and playwright. He wrote the comic operas The Castle of Andalusia (1782) and Fontainbleau (1784). He also wrote the play Wild Oats, or The Strongest Gentlemen (1791).

A Greek mythological figure who rises from being an orphan to become King of Thebes, but in doing so inadvertently fulfills a prophecy in which he kills his father and sleeps with his mother, as recounted in Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus Rex.