PriamThey're resting from their journey, they're coming to see me later.
Priam
Tell them.
PPandarus
He stole her away in a chest. We had no idea she was inside until we set sail. I tried to persuade him to return her, he threatened to throw me into the sea.
Priam
He claims to love her.
How could you not notice what was going on?
PPandarus
[sarcastically] I apologize, my lady. I should have foreseen that while the King of Sparta was burying his dead father, your new son would try to sleep with his wife!
Priam
Don't you use that tone with us! We put him in your charge!
By now, Menelaus will know they've eloped; he'll have told his brother. Agamemnon needs no excuse for a fight. She must be sent back, before they do something foolish.
Andromache's right. Agamemnon will have rallied all the kings of Greece, we can't waste any time. We'll send a message that we regret the discourtesy, return Helen, and send gifts of our own.
Priam
Why should I bow to him? We made this city prosperous through sweat and blood! This city bows to no one.
And will continue to do so. Your pride can afford to take one hit, if it's to save the city from any future harm. (pause) She must go back, Priam.
Priam
Leave us. [Pandarus and Andromache exit]
SServant
Forgive me, Your Majesty. The Spartan queen requests an audience.
Priam
No, I said later.
[Helen walks in]
My Lord. My Lady. [Bows] If my fate is to be decided, I would like you to hear me first.
You have a nerve, my lady.
I hear, my Queen, that you rule Troy alongside your husband. That in this city, man and woman are equal in respect and power. I humbly claim that respect now. I was married at fourteen against my will, to a man I had not met and would never love. Not for one moment, have I been happy with Menelaus. I didn't choose him, and never would have. I do choose... to be with your son. I'm not a possession, I'm a woman. I think, I feel. And I'm here... because I want to be.
We have another condition. Such an insult as King Menelaus has suffered... demands retribution.
Priam
We will return all gifts and make reparations.
These are King Agamemnon's demands. The Straits of the Dardanelles; you control them. You tax every cargo, every ship.
[Pandarus passes the terms to Priam]
Priam
Is this a joke?
Priam
This will break us!
A few years' hardship, nothing more. A lesson learned.
Priam
Oh, I see: this is why you're here. To destroy our economy.
We are here because you insulted my honor!
Don't be hasty. King Priam, consider the best option for your city.
I was the loudest voice in advocating Helen's return.
[sharply] Get out. And take your conditions with you.
[He smashes the tablet as Paris enters]
No one's taking her. [he brandishes his sword at Menelaus as Hector holds him back] No one.
This is a disgrace. A breach of the protocol.
Priam
Alexander! Put down your weapon. Your queen isn't going anywhere. [Paris lowers his sword] Troilus, Deiphobus, see them out.
We will bring the rage of the Gods down on your ASIATIC HEADS! [he storms out]
Think again. No one wants this war. Make a counter-offer-
Leave... and take your smooth tongue with you.
[Odysseus leaves. Achilles stands to leave; he smirks at Hector and Paris, sizing them up]
We will be back. [bows and leaves]
Priam, he's coming. You need to talk to him.
[Hector and Andromache enter their chambers, accompanied by Cassandra]
[to Hecuba] Tell her, tell her what you did!
CCassandra
I already know-
I want you to hear it from them.
Priam
What is this? Get her out of here.
Don't move, Cassandra. Will you speak, or shall I?
Priam
And say what?
You sent your newborn son to his death. You told your other children that wolves stole him, forced your wife to play along. Luckily, the man you employed for the task disobeyed your command. That is the only reason Alexander's still alive! Because a simple shepherd had a heart you never did.
Priam
I did what I thought was best for the city. I don't have to apologize to you, or anyone for that!
[Indicates Cassandra] What about her? She had a vision that Alexander would burn the city to the ground, that black blood would flow in the streets! You told her she was mad! [Priam looks guilty] You locked her up! You told me my sister was disturbed, that I couldn't see her, that she needed constant care?! That she shouldn't be allowed out to play, like other children! [pause] She was seven years old.
CCassandra
I don't want to be in here-
Stay where you are, Cassandra. When Alexander came back, you lied again.
Priam
To save his life.
You lied, and you lied, and now you hide away in your room like a child!
Priam
To save his life.
What kind of coward are you?
CCassandra
Please, let me go! [she tries to flee, Andromache stops her]
Let her go, Hector. [Andromache releases Cassandra, who leaves the room] ...Your father didn't force me. What we did, we did together.
Are you saying you gave away your son voluntarily? [Hecuba looks tearful] You lied to your children!
Priam
Well, you lied, too. You met Litos in Cilicia. He warned you to stop Alexander from returning.
[Hector glances quickly at Andromache]
Yes. I did meet Litos. Perhaps, I should have obeyed him. I had the chance, and I failed. [pause] I'm telling Pandarus to call off the search for Alexander.
What? But the Greeks will find him; you know what they'll do to him-
The Gods have been clear. He cannot be in Troy.
The risk is too great. I'm sorry. [to Priam] I'm taking over the running of the city now. I think it's for the best, don't you?
[Priam has entered Achilles' camp]
If you don't leave before it's light, I can't protect you from what might happen.
Priam
I told you, I'm not going back alone. I'd rather die here, with my son.
[to his men]... Bring him in. [They escort Priam into Achilles' tent] Hector brought this on himself, on the beach. He showed no mercy.
Priam
We know what he did. His mother wants to bury him, like you buried Patroclus.
Your son is not worthy of burial.
Priam
Why was Patroclus in your armor?
Priam
And the reason?
The king. Agamemnon took my spoils. A girl from Cilicia. He took her for his own, when he'd done nothing to win her.
Priam
So you took offense?
Priam
So... why did Patroclus disobey you? Hmm? [they both sit]
Patroclus insisted we did our duty. Defend... what was ours. I told him not to do it, and he wouldn't listen.
Priam
Well, not everyone has your strength, Achilles. It takes a mighty pride to do nothing, when the world is falling around you.
Priam
He was human.
Say it. If I had been, he would still be here, right?
Priam
[nods] And so would my son.
Priam
What do you mean?
Priam
What?
Achilles What was he like, as a child?
Priam
He was a terror, what do you expect?
Priam
His mother spoiled him, but he grew up, and... well, he became a better man than me. [struggling to contain his grief] Hector had his mothers'... calm. He always knew what was needed. He... he really was the best of men. [Weeps]
[to his men] Get him some water. [The Myrmidons obey]
Priam
(sobbing) His mother... She will die without his body. Brother, help me. Please.
Priam!! Where are you?! [the gates open and Priam emerges with several guards] You broke the truce.
Priam
You broke it! [draws his sword]
Lies! [two of Priam's guards attack him, but he easily cuts them down] You killed one of my men in cold blood!
Priam
Greek trickery, not ours!
No. NO! [he kills the other three guards and advances on Priam] Odysseus wouldn't do that.
[As Paris rides up behind them, Achilles knocks Priam to the ground]
May the Gods forgive you.
[ As he raises his sword for the kill, Paris fires an arrow and pierces his heel. Achilles staggers to his knees, and Priam stabs him in the side with a dagger. Achilles tries to kill Priam again, but before he can drive his sword home Paris pierces his throat with a second arrow. Achilles falls as Paris helps Priam up.]
[weakly]... Lies. Treachery.
We didn't lie. You Greeks broke the truce.
You killed one of my men.
We never left the city during the truce!
Swear that on your brother's grave.
[kneels over him] I swear it. You were betrayed by your own side.
[Achilles stares at him for a moment, then laughs weakly]
Tell Odysseus... to him the glory. This was always a shabby war.
[Achilles dies]
Troy: Fall of a City · 20 quotes
