The term “Trojan Women” evokes an image of a strong, warrior-like yet beautiful woman. In Trojan Women by Euripides, many of the women display these traits. It is a story that follows a few women who were once powerful figures in Troy after the city has been captured by the Greeks (Masters, 1). Cassandra finds herself uncertain of her future and unable to fulfil her life as planned. In this story, Cassandra is often referred to negatively due to her curse. She is believed to be a madwoman, but is spared due to the favor she has found with Agamemnon. From birth, Cassandra was cursed to have no one believe her despite her position as a prophet. This results in her receiving no aid by the Greeks both during and after the Trojan War. She is likened to a wild temptress, as her attempts to convey the impending danger her people face goes ignored. Her mother, Hecuba, is well revered by the imprisoned Trojan women due to once holding an important position in Troy (Euripides, 355). After the city was captured and burnt to the ground, previous positions in society were also lost. However, the Greeks were able to conquer Troy and slay many of those defending the city, leaving lots of women without position or guardian.  Those without a husband become victim to the will of the newly powerful Greeks. The fall of troy is a consequence of the chaos induced by the arrival of Helen into the city.  Hecuba fears for her daughter, since she is aware that many conquered women will most likely become slaves to the Greeks. 

              This is not the fate of Cassandra, who was intended at birth to be a virgin to serve Apollo as a priestess. He has made her a prophet with the ability to foretell the future with perfect accuracy, bit her skills go unappreciated. This is because she has been cursed since birth that no one will believe her. Cassandra does not fulfil this role either, as she has captured the attention of Agamemnon.  She has been chosen to be his lover and mistress. Hecuba’s fate is bleaker, as she is to serve Odysseus, whom she hates. He is the King of Ithaca, so her work will be performed begrudgingly yet in a rather glamorous setting.  Cassandra is happy with her impending pairing with Agamemnon, as it will result in his death. She can see that Agamemnon’s wife, Clytemnestra, will kill both her and her new Partner, Agamemnon. Cassandra is not upset by this as she sees the death of Agamemnon as revenge for the deaths of her father and beloved ones (Euripides, 360). She tells of this fate, but is ignored as her curse prevents anyone from believing her.  

              At this point, Cassandra’s curse continues to cause turmoil in the story. She tells of the obstacles that Odysseus will face in his upcoming journey. Her warnings are brushed off and she is berated due to her apparent insanity (Euripides, 300). She becomes known as a madwoman who is only to serve Agamemnon.   This struggle of wanting to inform others in vain becomes the bane of Cassandra’s existence. It soon becomes apparent that though she is cursed so that no one will listen to her, at least she is able to know her future. She understands that she will bring about the death of Agamemnon using his wife as the weapon, despite her not directly controlling the situation. Regardless of the lack of direct cause, Cassandra accepts that she will play a role in the murder and is content to indirectly enact revenge.