The Trojan Women

Acts

• 1
  Act 1

  Poseidon and Athena survey the ruins of Troy and plan the destruction of the Greek fleet on its homeward voyage.

  97 lines
• 2
  Act 2

  Hecuba, queen of Troy, lies prostrate among the captive women. She learns the fates assigned to each by lot.

  139 lines
• 3
  Act 3

  Cassandra emerges in a frenzy, torches in hand, singing a mad wedding hymn. She prophesies Agamemnon's murder and her own death.

  285 lines
• 4
  Act 4

  Andromache arrives on a cart with Hector's armour. She tells Hecuba that Polyxena has been sacrificed on Achilles' tomb.

  52 lines
• 5
  Act 5

  The Greeks decree that Astyanax, Hector's infant son, must be thrown from the walls of Troy. Andromache surrenders him.

  247 lines
• 6
  Act 6

  Menelaus arrives to reclaim Helen. Hecuba urges him to kill her. Helen defends herself — Aphrodite made her do it. Menelaus wavers.

  48 lines
• 7
  Act 7

  The chorus of Trojan women sings of the night Troy fell — the wooden horse, the celebration, the sudden slaughter.

  201 lines
• 8
  Act 8

  The body of Astyanax is brought back on Hector's shield. Hecuba washes and dresses the child for burial.

  54 lines
• 9
  Act 9

  Troy is set on fire. The women are led away to the Greek ships. Hecuba tries to throw herself into the flames but is restrained.

  226 lines