Trojan Women (Euripides) Flashcards
(14 cards)
What formal structure does ‘Trojan Women’ take?
It is a tragedy, which is fitting for reimagining the aftermath of the Trojan War.
This contrasts with the epic structure of the ‘Iliad’.
What type of language is used in ‘Trojan Women’?
Emotional, including laments and dirges, compared to heroic speeches in the ‘Iliad’.
This choice of language emphasizes the suffering of the characters.
What visual elements are emphasized in ‘Trojan Women’?
Depictions of the war camp, ruined Troy, and the ugly sides of war, contrasting with honourable battle scenes.
These visuals contribute to the tragic themes of loss and despair.
What was the context of production for ‘Trojan Women’?
5th-century Athens, characterized by democracy, imperial wars, and recent atrocities, differing from Homer’s aristocratic warrior culture.
This context influences the themes and perspectives presented in the play.
What does Troy symbolize in ‘Trojan Women’?
It serves as a stand-in for real Greek cities like Melos or upcoming targets like Sicily.
This reflects the political realities of the time.
How does Euripides’ ‘Trojan Women’ differ from Homer’s ‘Iliad’?
It focuses on grief, loss, and suffering from a female, enslaved perspective rather than heroism, glory, and battle from an elite, male perspective.
This difference highlights the voices of victims rather than glorifying warriors.
How can ‘Trojan Women’ be classified in terms of adaptation?
It is an adaptation that absorbs epic poetry to share a different agenda than Homer’s ‘Iliad’.
This adaptation critiques contemporary Athenian politics and the brutality of war.
Fill in the blank: ‘Trojan Women’ reaffirms the value of _______.
[human dignity, empathy, and remembrance]
What critique does ‘Trojan Women’ offer regarding Athenian politics?
It critiques the brutality of war, particularly in relation to the Athenian destruction of Melos.
The play was first performed in 415 BCE during the Peloponnesian War.
What traditional notions does ‘Trojan Women’ challenge?
It challenges the glorification of ancient Greek heroism and exposes the brutal realities of war, including enslaving women and murdering children.
This perspective shifts the focus from victors to victims.
What aspects of the ancient does ‘Trojan Women’ reject?
It rejects blind faith in militarism, divine justice, and patriarchal ideals.
This critique extends to the hubris and moral decay associated with militaristic victory.
What direction do modern works like ‘Trojan Women’ suggest for contemporary cultural practices?
They move towards critical and ethical storytelling rather than celebratory or nationalistic myth-making.
This reflects a debate about war, empire, gender, suffering, and justice.
What is the context of reception for ‘Trojan Women’ in later audiences?
It is viewed as an anti-war classic, resonating with modern contexts of war, displacement, and gendered violence.
The play speaks to universal themes of human suffering.
Does ‘Trojan Women’ prompt individuals to revisit the myth of the Trojan War?
Yes, it encourages revisiting the darker, marginalized aspects of the myth, focusing on the suffering of the conquered.
This includes centering female voices that were often minor characters in epic narratives.
