Cassandra - An Analytical Statement
Cassandra is the punching bag of the classical world. When you see her mentioned in any ancient text, you can be assured that things are going south. Her character serves as a symbol of doom and destruction for any story in which she has a role. This role of doom bringer is evident in The Aneid II [1], so much so that even the author mocks the irony of the Trojans not believing her despite her clear warnings. [2] The connection between Cassandra and destruction is strengthened by the destruction of her own temple and statue. [3]
Cassandra’s character also endures the plight of many women in myth – use, abuse, and objectification. Her objectification stems from both the utility of her powers and her physical attractiveness, as Priam’s most beautiful daughter. [4] Her abuse comes from both the divine (such as Apollo’s gift and later his curse), and abuse from her fellow mortals (such as her capture and rape at the hand of Ajax). [5] Finally, as a result of her curse, Cassandra is commonly perceived as insane – having a ‘divine madness’ [6] and her prophesies being discarded as ramblings. Overall, Cassandra’ story is depressing and tragic.
The pivotal point of her life comes after the fall of Troy and her capture into slavery, along with her fellow Trojan women. Upon her arrival to Argos/Mycenae as the trophy escort of Agamemnon, Cassandra foresees the murder of Agamemnon, the collapse of his kingdom, and her own execution at the hands of his wife. At first, she panics at the fear of her own demise [7]. However, Cassandra learns to accept her fate [8] and embrace it – this results in the evolution and emboldening of her character. Cassandra realized that her own death is a small price to pay for the retribution of her people and the fall of their conquerors. This is Cassandra’s grand transformation into a character with agency and veracity.
Her vision of Argos’ decline allows her to satiate her vengeance against Agamemnon’s family – Seneca’s Agamemnon is considered a ‘revenge tragedy’, where Cassandra’s omnipotence allows her to manipulate the other characters into unwittingly destroying their own kingdom. [9] In her final hours, she becomes emboldened and assertive, openly defying and mocking Agamemnon [10] Even in her final moments before execution, Cassandra is confident and tenacious, welcoming her death as the final key for fulfilling her prophecy, the destruction of Argos, and the vengeance of her people in the afterlife. It is this final prophecy where Cassandra learns to use her power with her own agency, as opposed to counting on others to take action. The old Cassandra would warn the men of Troy about the Greek’s deception, only to fall on deaf ears. The new Cassandra embraces her vision and her fate, and ensures that it comes to pass with vigor. She transforms from object to agent. If the Cassandra of Troy could be compared to her fellow princess Helen, the Cassandra of Mycenae has the agency and boldness of Medea. If any Classical figure is a personification of personal growth and empowerment, it is Cassandra.
[1] Virgil, 46-48
[2] Fuchs, 22
[3] Pausanias, 3.26.5 & 2.16.5
[4] Homer, The Illiad, 13:424 and 24:820
[5] Quintus, 13:457 and 14.460
[6] Euripides, Trojan Women, 305-310
[7] Aeschylus, 113
[8] Aechylus, 1315-1330
[9] Paschulis, 213
[10] Seneca, 782-78