Introduction
Euripides’ tragedy Hecuba (Ancient Greek: Hekabe) is set shortly after the Trojan War. It depicts the grief that the queen of the city of Troy, Hecuba, experienced after sacrificing her daughter, Polyxena, and losing her son, Polydorus. The grief-stricken queen begins plotting her revenge against Polymestor, whom she suspects of being responsible for her suffering. The author shows how the queen wanted to protect her family’s honor, forcing the audience to live through the destruction and desolation described. In many ways, Hecuba’s desire to get revenge is justified by the several losses of her loved ones, with the last straw being Achilles’ wish for Polyxena to be sacrificed.
Analysis of Quotes
“But however eager for home, the Greeks must wait here on the coast of Thrace, sails slack because Achilles stilled the winds. Appearing above his tomb, he demands my sister Polyxena as a sacrifice to appease his wounded honor. He’ll get it, too. His men won’t dare refuse him. So fate leads my sister to her death today. And my mother will see two corpses of two children: mine and Polyxena’s” (Slavitt & Bovie, 1998, line 40).
In the passage above, the ghost of Polydorus appeals to his mother to say that she should sacrifice Polyxena, which reflects the sacrifice of Iphigenia at the beginning of the Trojan War. The sacrifice made in honor of Achilles reflects the circle of revenge for which Achilles wished after his death. Achilles was ultimately killed by Paris, the brother of Polyxena, who shot an arrow into his heel, the only vulnerable spot. Achilles was vengeful for his demise and made the wish to protect his honor so that Polyxena, whom he considered a traitor, had to be sacrificed at his tomb. In return, he would allow the Greeks to leave Troy safely.
“First off, I acknowledge, unconditionally, your claim on my gratitude. You saved my life, and, by the gods, I owe you. I stand ready to honor my debt by saving your life. But my public vow to the Greek troops I must also stand by, and that is to reward our best warrior with Polyxena, your daughter. It’s an invalid premise, you see, to think that these two lives—yours; hers—can be interchanged” (Slavitt & Bovie, 1998, line 300)
In the quoted passage, Odysseus tries to persuade Hecuba of the necessity of the sacrifice as she pleads for her daughter not to be taken away. He feels that he must protect the honor of Hecuba while also abiding by the public view of the Greeks. The fact that Odysseus attempts to find a balance between the wishes of the former queen and those who captured her illustrates the honoring of the war traditions despite the deep emotional pain they may bring. Moreover, even though Hecuba asks for her daughter to be spared, she is refused because of Achilles’ wish.
“Furthermore, our cities will fail if noble and devoted soldiers earn no greater returns than do lesser men. Achilles deserves honor and tribute more than anyone: He died for Greece, and by the gods we owe him. What conduct is more shameless than enlisting a man’s good and faithful service while he lives, only to throw him to the dogs when he’s dead?” (Slavitt & Bovie, 1998, line 310).
Odysseus’s insight into honoring the warriors speaks volumes about the Greeks’ gratitude for those who have fallen in battle. By abiding by Achilles’ last desire, which would break Hecuba emotionally, Odysseus shows that there is no higher honor than to die in battle. Hecuba cannot be consoled, and it was likely that Odysseus’s compliance with the wishes of death sent her into a vengeful spree. The queen felt powerless and understood she could do nothing to spare her daughter, no matter how she tried.
Conclusion
The analysis of three passages from Hecuba illustrates that the honor of a fallen hero overrides the wishes of those who remain alive. First, the queen lost her husband and sons in battle and then had to live through two more excruciating deaths of Polyxena and Polydorus, for which he had no consolation. Even though Polyxena could be spared from death, honoring Achilles was out of the question for the Greeks. Being powerless in front of the Greeks who captured her, not being able to protect her daughter, and then having to witness Polydorus’ body washed up on the shore, the former queen gets enraged and promises to avenge.
Reference
Slavitt, D. R., & Bovie, S. P. (1998). Euripides, 1: Medea, Hecuba, Andromache, The Bacchae. University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.