The Trojan Women

Main Characters and Their Development

• Hecuba — the former queen of Troy, mother of many children, including Hector and Paris. In the play, she is portrayed as a grieving mother who has lost everything dear to her. Her development shows a transition from despair to bitter acceptance of her fate.
• Andromache — the widow of Hector, mother of young Astyanax. She is depicted as a symbol of loyalty and maternal love. In the play, she faces the terrible fate of her son and her own future as a captive.
• Cassandra — Hecuba's daughter, a prophetess who foresees tragic events but is not taken seriously by anyone. Her development shows the tragedy of a person who sees the future but cannot change it.
• Helen — the wife of Menelaus, whose beauty sparked the Trojan War. In the play, she is portrayed as an object of hatred and blame by the Trojan women, but also as someone trying to justify her actions.
• Menelaus — Helen's husband, one of the Greek leaders. His development in the play shows the struggle between the desire to punish Helen and the remnants of love for her.
• Talthybius — the Greek herald who delivers orders and news to the captive Trojan women. His character shows the complexity of carrying out cruel orders and sympathy for the women's suffering.