'The Women of Troy' as a Warning: The Downfall of Even the Greatest Individuals Tanishka Munjal 12th Grade

Universal suffering and pain is the ultimate aftermath of war; this is the fundamental message Euripides strives to display in his tragedy, ‘The Women of Troy’, performed to an audience of Athenian men in 415BC, a year progressing the atrocities of Melos. Euripides’ warns the Athenian audience of the dangers of waging war as the loss of lives are “all for nothing”, advocating that even powerful individuals can be reduced to an insignificant citizen as a result of war. The destruction of Troy resulted from the death of its warriors and lack of support from powerful individuals, forcefully portraying Euripides’ message that devastation to one’s homeland can not be reversed as proven from the siege of Melos. Furthermore, the Trojan women continue to suffer as the men are murdered in battle, highlighting that war is not solely a risk for men but also exposing women to the most ignominious of fates. Euripides foreshadows the fate of the Greeks, which looms ever-present in the play, warning that even those who are victorious in battle cannot be certain of their fate.

Through Euripides' depiction of the Trojan leaders and gods, he analyses the impact the numerous losses of support Troy has endured which has prompted the once powerful...