1.What background to this tragedy does Poseidon present? What does Poseidon say about the Trojan War and its aftermath?
2. What does Athena propose to Poseidon? Why?
3. Who is Hecuba? What metaphor does she use in describing her present situation?
4. How does Hecuba characterize Helen?
Parodos (entrance ode of the chorus): 153-96
What does the chorus of Trojan women sing of as they enter the orchestra?
Stasimon 1 (Choral Ode in Place): 197-239
1.What does the chorus of Trojan women fear their fate will be?
2. To what Greek city would they prefer to be brought? Which city do they wish to avoid?
Episode 1: 240-510
1.What news does the herald Talthybius give to Hecuba?
2. What is Cassandra’s reaction to her captivity?
3.Why does Cassandra say that the Trojans are “happier than the Achaeans”?
4. What final role does Cassandra see for herself?
5. How does Hecuba characterize her fate?
Stasimon 2 (Choral Ode in Place): 511-66
What is the subject of this second ode of the chorus?
Episode 2: 567-709
1.In the lament of Andromache and Hecuba, how have they said their lives have been transformed?
2. Reading between the lines, how would you characterize the relationship between Andromache and Hecuba? What is your evidence?
Euripides’ Trojan Women Study Questions
Lines 710—end
Who is Talthybius? How does Euripides characterize this fellow?
Stasimon 3 (Choral Ode in Place): 799-859
What is the subject of the chorus’ song?
Episode 3: 860-1010
1.Characterize the relationship between Menelaus and his wife Helen.
2.What perspective does Hecuba bring to the relationship between Menelaus and Helen?
3. In the debate between Helen and Hecuba, how does Helen defend herself? What is Hecuba’s counterargument?
4. What is the attitude of the chorus?
Stasimon 4 (Choral Ode in Place): 1060-1122
What does the chorus sing?
Episode 4: 1118-1332
What does Talthybius say of the fate of Andromache, Astyanax, Hecuba?