Andromache (play)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Andromache
Captive Andromache by Frederic Leighton
Written by	Euripides
Chorus	Phthian Women
Characters	Andromache Maid Hermione Menelaus Molossus Peleus Nurse of Hermione Orestes Messenger Thetis

Andromache (c. 425 BC) is a play by Euripides. It follows Andromache during her life as a slave, years after the events of the Trojan War.

[edit] Background

During the Trojan War, Andromache's husband Hector was slain by Achilles. Their child Astyanax was dropped off the Trojan walls by the Greeks for fear that he would grow up and avenge his father and city. Andromache was made a slave of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. These events are depicted in The Trojan Women, another play by Euripides. Years pass and Andromache has a child through Neoptolemus. However, Neoptolemus weds Hermione, daughter of Menalaus and Helen, and Hermione is very jealous of the relationship between Andromache and Neoptolemus. Fearing for her life and the life of her child, Andromache hides the child and seeks refuge in the temple of Thetis, mother of Achilles.