43 pages • 1 hour read
Hecuba
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Book Brief
200
Play • Fiction
Thrace • Mythical Antiquity
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Hecuba by Euripides is an Attic tragedy set on the shores of the Thracian Chersonese, where the Trojan queen Hecuba faces the deaths of her children, Polyxena and Polydorus, after the fall of Troy. The ghost of Polydorus reveals his murder by Polymestor, leading Hecuba to seek revenge. Meanwhile, Polyxena is sacrificed at Achilles' tomb. Themes of fortune, character degeneration, and the roles of good and evil are explored. The play includes themes of war, human sacrifice, slavery, murder, and mentions of a future death by suicide.
Melancholic
Dark
Emotional
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
2,727 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Euripides' Hecuba has garnered praise for its powerful exploration of grief and vengeance, highlighting the tragic depth of its titular character. Critics commend its emotional intensity and moral dilemmas but note a sometimes heavy-handed approach and a bleak, relentless tone. Overall, it remains a compelling study of human suffering and resilience.
Who Should Read Hecuba?
Readers who enjoy Greek tragedies and complex moral dilemmas will appreciate Hecuba by Euripides. Comparable to fans of Antigone by Sophocles and The Trojan Women by Euripides, they’ll be drawn to its intense emotional conflicts and themes of revenge, suffering, and human resilience.
2,727 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Polyxena
Polyxena
Daughter of Hecuba and Priam, a captured princess known for her aristocratic ideals such as dignity and bravery, facing a challenging fate with composure.
Agamemnon
Agamemnon
The king of Mycenae and leader of the Greek army, who is depicted as a cautious and politically astute figure during the aftermath of Troy's fall.
Polymestor
Polymestor
The king of Thrace who was entrusted with the care of Hecuba's son, around whom significant tensions in the narrative develop.
Polydorus
Polydorus
The youngest son of Hecuba and Priam, whose fate is a crucial element in the unfolding story, initially introduced through his ghost.
Odysseus
Odysseus
The king of Ithaca and a key Greek hero known for his cunning and practicality, playing a significant role in the decisions regarding the captured Trojans.
Talthybius
Talthybius
The elderly herald of the Greek army who brings important news and presents a more compassionate viewpoint towards the Trojans.
Handmaid
Handmaid
Hecuba’s attendant who makes a significant discovery that impacts Hecuba's storyline.
Chorus
Chorus
Comprising Trojan women who reflect on their experiences and support Hecuba, illustrating themes of shared suffering and captivity.
200
Play • Fiction
Thrace • Mythical Antiquity
Adult
18+ years
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