Euripides’ famous tragedy, The Trojan Women follows the fate of the women of Troy following the war between the invading Greek armies and the people of the city. Led by Hecuba, Andromache, and Cassandra, the band of women face a bleak future. Their city has been sacked, their husbands killed, and many of the women have been raped and captured as slaves for the Greek warriors. The war began after Helen eloped to Troy with Paris, a Trojan prince. Her husband, Menelaus, started the war in a bid to get his wife back and the other women blame the beautiful Helen for her selfish act. Using a traditional Greek chorus, the women lament their losses and wonder what will become of them under this new, tyrannical rule. Their homeland is burning and they must prepare for new lives as slaves.
The Trojan Women guide sections
