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Chapter Summaries & Analyses
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.
By Euripides
Alcestis
Alcestis
Euripides
Cyclops
Cyclops
Euripides
Electra
Electra
Euripides
Helen
Helen
Euripides
Heracles
Heracles
Euripides
Hippolytus
Hippolytus
Euripides
Ion
Ion
Ed. John C. Gilbert, Euripides
Iphigenia in Aulis
Iphigenia in Aulis
Euripides
Medea
Medea
Euripides
Orestes
Orestes
Euripides
The Bacchae
The Bacchae
Euripides
Trojan Women
Trojan Women
Euripides
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