1> In the play *Women of Troy*, Euripides illustrates the horrendous effect on the human spirit of extreme loss and grief. Discuss. 2 3### Topic sentences 4 5- The sadness and exhaustion of Hecuba represents how one's persistence and hope may be enforced by these experiences, acting as a personification of the city of Troy. 6 7- Astyanax, acting as a symbol for innocence and peace, represents the deep hole that is left when these characteristics are absent from society, expressed by Hector and Andromache's responses. 8 9- Euripides explores how Hecuba deals with grief and loss through the prospect of hope 10 11- Modelled by the character of Cassandra, Euripides explores how an extreme level of loss and grief can strengthen the human spirit. 12 13- Euripides explores the grief and effect on the human spirit through the contrasting emotions of Hecuba and Cassandra, highlighting the opposing reactions of hope and revenge. 14 15- Euripides demonstrates extreme grief and loss in the human spirit through Andromache’s hopelessness. 16 17- The effect of human spirit explored by Euripides during a time of loss and grief is displayed through the character Hecuba, showing that responding with hope and an optimistic attitude can support others who are also suffering 18 19- Loss and grief can be so damaging that it can render people utterly hopeless. 20 21- Despite the extreme dereustation, Hecuba is still able to muster hope. 22 23### Essay plan 24 25- The sadness and exhaustion of Hecuba represents how one's persistence and hope may be enforced by these experiences, acting as a personification of the city of Troy. 26 27- - _“The lucky ones are dead”_ 28- - _“I won’t sleep on a royal mattress anymore”_ 29- - _"an old woman fallen flat on her face"_321` 30 31- Astyanax, acting as a symbol for innocence and peace, represents the deep hole that is left when these characteristics are absent from society, expressed by Hector and Andromache's responses. 32 33- - 34 35- The character of Cassandra shows how grief may actually strengthen the human spirit, a great contrast to other characters. 36 37- - _"She’s happier dead than I am living"_ 38 39 40