HecubaWhere are they?
They're resting from their journey, they're coming to see me later.
Hecuba
Is it what I think?
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.
Hecuba
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!
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.
Hecuba
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.
Why should I bow to him? We made this city prosperous through sweat and blood! This city bows to no one.
Hecuba
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.
Leave us. [Pandarus and Andromache exit]
SServant
Forgive me, Your Majesty. The Spartan queen requests an audience.
[Helen walks in]
My Lord. My Lady. [Bows] If my fate is to be decided, I would like you to hear me first.
Hecuba
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.
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]
A few years' hardship, nothing more. A lesson learned.
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.
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-
Hecuba
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]
Hecuba
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.
What is this? Get her out of here.
Don't move, Cassandra. Will you speak, or shall I?
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.
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.
You lied, and you lied, and now you hide away in your room like a child!
What kind of coward are you?
CCassandra
Please, let me go! [she tries to flee, Andromache stops her]
Hecuba
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!
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.
Hecuba
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.
Hecuba
He's your blood.
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?
Troy: Fall of a City · 20 quotes
