Cassandra, prophet

Question 1

cassandra, episode 2

“had forgotten what their children looked like”

“lie forgotten in a foreign country”

• kelos not achieved, do not secure royal oikos

Answer 1

• through C, E challenged aud to question honour of war in foreign land’s
• grks so long away from loved ones @ home –> forgotten faces, whereas Trojans went home to fam each night
• bodies of grk soldiers failed to get the burial rights their culture demands (like to Ast.)
• forgotten is repeated = emphasis worst case b/c greeks war should bring fame

Question 2

episode 1

“who could wait for the wind that fills her sails more eagerly than i do?”

“one of avenging furies”

Answer 2

• cass duty = revenge for war atrocities
• cass metaphorical Trojan horse = pretend to go happily/willingly into new life w/ Aga
• revenge as Aga’s jealous wife kills him
• across play RQs = cass no helpless victim bc planning revenge
• E uses cass to warn aud
• talking abt herself = ship, wind = fate
• can’t wait to manipulate him -> death
• knows she will die but for the greater good

Question 3

episode 1
“fathers and brothers destroyed”

Answer 3

• cass lost everything = fam/city/virginity = sacred identity
• cass readys herself for revenge
• fatal marriage to Aga -> his downfall. Cass -> enact revenge on behalf of fam/city
• all think cass is a mad woman BUT cass is the only one who can give WOT a modicum of solace

Question 4

it is no shame for a city, indeed, it is a crown of honour to die nobly, with dignity

Answer 4

• war is celebrated
• sign of heroism -> increase status and money
• BUT through C, E suggests ppl hasty going to war = ignorant and foolish
• E worried about Ath soldiers who died attacking foreign countries so could lose life for nothing
• whereas dying defending home is honorable
• pointless loss of life

Question 5

C to T: “officers of your kind are always hated by everyone” “doing great mens dirty work”

Answer 5

• C attacks T as middle manager
• T express passion for WOT but does nothing to help
• T = part of the greek war machine and facilitates brutal and barbaric decisions of generals

Question 6

Agamemnon will find her “more destructive as a wife than ever Helen was”

Answer 6

• Cassandra compares marriage yo Aga with Helens marriages to Menalaus and Paris
• C = driven by desire for revenge and views own fate to be slave –> chance for revenge for Troy and payback for Agas sins
• gift of prophecy –> Cass know Agas choice –> his suffering for Greeks
• Cass a metaphorical Trojan horse as she gains Agas affectoion and then death