43 pages • 1 hour read
Trojan Women
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Book Brief
136
Play • Fiction
Troy • Classical Antiquity
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Trojan Women by Euripides depicts the aftermath of Troy's fall, focusing on Queen Hecuba and the enslaved Trojan women who lament their fates while awaiting their Greek captors. The play explores their grief as Greek soldiers decide their futures, featuring key moments with Cassandra, Andromache, and Helen. Themes of loss, subjugation, and the harsh consequences of war are prominent. Sensitive topics include violence and enslavement.
Melancholic
Dark
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
11,415 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Trojan Women by Euripides receives acclaim for its powerful depiction of war’s impact on women, capturing raw emotions and existential despair. Critics praise its lyrical language and poignant themes. However, some find its narrative structure disjointed and the bleakness overwhelming. Overall, it remains a compelling, thought-provoking tragedy.
Who Should Read Trojan Women?
A reader who would enjoy Euripides' Trojan Women typically appreciates classical literature, tragic drama, and themes of war and human suffering. Similar readers might enjoy Homer's Iliad and Sophocles' Antigone for their complex portrayals of human emotion and fate in the aftermath of war.
11,415 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Andromache
Andromache
A Trojan princess and Hector's widow, she symbolizes loyalty and maternal devotion, facing the challenges of loss and the harsh realities of the post-war world.
Helen
Helen
A Spartan princess, renowned for her beauty, whose elopement with Paris initiated the Trojan War, and who now seeks to avoid execution by manipulating those around her.
Cassandra
Cassandra
A Trojan princess with the gift of prophecy that goes unbelieved, portrayed as erratic yet truthful, ultimately communicating more with the audience than other characters.
Chorus
Chorus
Composed of Trojan women who serve as commentators, expressing collective emotional responses to the unfolding events and providing context through song and dialogue.
Talthybius
Talthybius
A Greek messenger tasked with delivering difficult news to the Trojans, he showcases a rare sympathy for their plight despite his position.
Menelaus
Menelaus
The King of Sparta and Helen's former husband, determined to bring Helen back to Sparta, portraying a blend of authority and susceptibility to Helen's influence.
136
Play • Fiction
Troy • Classical Antiquity
Adult
18+ years
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