WOMEN OF TROY NOTES

 Hecuba is a character in Euripides' play "Women of Troy". She is the former queen of Troy
and the mother of Hector, Paris, and many other Trojan children. Hecuba is one of the main
characters in the play and serves as a symbol of the suffering and tragedy of war. In the play,
Hecuba is devastated by the loss of her city and her family. She has been taken captive by
the Greeks along with the other Trojan women, and she is struggling to come to terms with
her new reality as a slave. Despite her grief, Hecuba remains a strong and determined
character. She is a leader among the Trojan women and encourages them to maintain their
dignity and pride in the face of their enslavement. She also shows compassion and concern
for the other women, particularly her daughter Cassandra and her daughter-in-law
Andromache. Throughout the play, Hecuba struggles to reconcile her faith in the gods with
the horrors of war. She questions the justice of the gods and wonders why they have
allowed such suffering to occur. Despite her doubts, she remains a devout believer and finds
solace in her faith. Overall, Hecuba's character is a powerful symbol of the human cost of
war. She represents the suffering and tragedy of those caught in the middle of a conflict that
they had no control over. Her strength, compassion, and faith serve as an inspiration to the
other Trojan women and a reminder of the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity

 Cassandra, another prominent character, is the daughter of Priam and a prophetess who has
the ability to see the future. However, no one believes her prophecies and she is treated as a
madwoman by the Greeks. Despite this, she refuses to renounce her beliefs and is ultimately
killed by Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon.

 Andromache is a character in Euripides' play "Women of Troy". She is the wife of Hector, the
greatest warrior of Troy, and the mother of their young son, Astyanax. Andromache's
character is defined by her grief and her struggle to cope with the loss of her husband, her
city, and her way of life. In the play, Andromache has been taken captive by the Greeks
along with the other Trojan women. She is forced to serve as a slave and is stripped of her
status as a noblewoman. Despite her despair, Andromache remains devoted to her son and
is determined to protect him at all costs. Andromache's character is also marked by her
resilience and strength. She stands up to the Greeks and refuses to be cowed by their
threats and abuse. She also shows compassion and kindness to the other Trojan women,
particularly her mother-in-law Hecuba. Throughout the play, Andromache struggles with the
weight of her grief and the overwhelming sense of loss that she feels. She is haunted by
memories of her husband and their life together and is consumed by her fear for her son's
safety. Despite her pain, however, she finds a way to keep going and to hold onto her hope
for a better future. Overall, Andromache's character is a poignant portrayal of the human
toll of war. She represents the thousands of women who have been forced to flee their
homes and to endure unspeakable suffering in times of conflict. Her strength, resilience, and
compassion serve as an inspiration to the other Trojan women and a reminder of the
enduring power of the human spirit.

 Helen is a beautiful woman who is married to Menelaus, the king of Sparta. According to the
play, her abduction by Paris, a Trojan prince, was the main reason for the Trojan War.
Despite her guilt and remorse, Helen remains a proud and dignified character. She refuses to
 bow down to the other women's insults and maintains her composure in the face of their
hostility. She also displays a degree of compassion towards the other women, especially
towards her sister-in-law Hermione, who is also captured by the Greeks.

 Astyanax is the infant son of Hector and Andromache, and he is a symbol of hope for the
Trojan women. In the play, Astyanax is brought before the Greek commanders, who debate
whether to spare his life or kill him. They ultimately decide to kill him, fearing that he will
grow up to seek revenge on them for their destruction of Troy. Astyanax's fate is a source of
great sorrow for his mother, Andromache, who pleads with the Greeks to spare his life. She
argues that he is too young to pose a threat to them and that he should be allowed to live.
Despite his young age, Astyanax is also a source of strength and resilience for the Trojan
women. They see him as a symbol of their future and their hope for a better life. His death
represents the final destruction of their hopes and dreams.

 In Euripides' play "Women of Troy", the Chorus of Women is a group of Trojan women who
have been taken captive by the Greeks after the fall of Troy. They serve as a collective voice
for the women of Troy and provide commentary on the events of the play. Throughout the
play, the Chorus expresses the pain, grief, and despair of the Trojan women as they come to
terms with their enslavement and the loss of their city and loved ones. They also serve as a
reminder of the horrors of war and the devastating impact that it can have on innocent
civilians. Despite their suffering, the Chorus of Women is a source of strength and resilience.
They support one another and encourage each other to stay strong in the face of their
adversity. They also offer words of wisdom and hope, reminding each other that they are
not alone in their suffering and that they will eventually find a way to rebuild their lives. The
Chorus of Women is a powerful symbol of the collective strength of women in times of crisis.
They represent the resilience and determination of those who have suffered through war
and provide a message of hope for those who are struggling to rebuild their lives in the
aftermath of conflict.