Hecuba

Main Characters and Their Development

• Hecuba — the former queen of Troy, wife of Priam. After the fall of Troy, she becomes a slave to the Greeks. In the play, she is portrayed as a woman experiencing deep sorrow and suffering, yet maintaining dignity and strength of spirit. Hecuba avenges Polymestor for the murder of her son Polydorus, showing determination and ruthlessness.
• Polyxena — daughter of Hecuba and Priam. She is sacrificed at Achilles' tomb. Polyxena is depicted as a noble and brave girl who accepts her fate with dignity and courage.
• Polydorus — the youngest son of Hecuba and Priam. He is killed by Polymestor to seize his treasures. Polydorus appears at the beginning of the play as a ghost, recounting his fate.
• Polymestor — the Thracian king who kills Polydorus for his treasures. At the end of the play, he is blinded and killed by Hecuba and other Trojan captives in revenge for his betrayal.
• Odysseus — a Greek hero who plays an important role in deciding Polyxena's fate. He is portrayed as a pragmatic and calculating man, willing to commit cruel acts to achieve his goals.