Some Observations on the Structure of Euripides’ Troades

Abstract

Euripides’ Troades has been criticized for its piecemeal structure since all three episodes arise from the play’s opening and develop independently. This article demonstrates the unity that nonetheless underlies the various sections of the play. There is a consistent progression in the characters and the order of their appearance in relation to Hecuba, who is continually on stage. Astyanax’s burial towards the end of the play which comes in the wake of earlier allusions is another unifying factor, while visual tableaux found at the opening of each major section of the play repeatedly portray the disruption of civilized life. Although the Trojans are responsible for their plight, Euripides presents the Trojan women as deserving the utmost pity.