Hecuba

The handmaid enters with other women. They are carrying a bier with a covered body. The handmaid, pitying Hecuba for the misfortunes she has already suffered, brings news of yet another misfortune: She has found the body of Hecuba’s son Polydorus on the beach while collecting water. Hecuba breaks into a dirge, mourning her son and her own life, “the mourning endless, / The anguish unending” (692-93). Hecuba deduces Polymestor, to whom she and Priam entrusted Polydorus, must have killed the boy so that he could take his gold.

Agamemnon enters with his attendants. He sees that Hecuba is upset and notices the body of Polydorus, whom he does not recognize. He urges Hecuba to tell him what is troubling her and even offers to help her. After debating in a series of asides whether or not to trust Agamemnon, Hecuba at last falls at Agamemnon’s knees. She implores him for revenge, explaining how the Thracian King Polymestor has murdered her son Polydorus. Hecuba asks for justice. She knows of Agamemnon’s passion for her daughter Cassandra, whom he has claimed as his prize after the sack of Troy, and she invokes Cassandra to motivate Agamemnon.