Despite the horrendous effects on the citizens of Troy, the Greek invaders are also affected to some extent by their success. This is not as obvious in the play, but the character of Talthybius consistently shows the regret and detriment of the Greeks after each advancement on their opponent. Showing some remorse for the actions of the society to which he belongs, Talthybius particularly struggles bringing bad news to the members of Troy. Relaying terrible events to those directly affected by them, he struggles to not "degrade the decency of speech" in his messages. However, there are several times at which he regrets "there is no decent way to say an indecent thing". After Astyanax is killed, he "took the opportunity to wash the body", even admitting "I'm not half hard enough". These statements show a glimpse of the more sensitive, sympathetic side of the officer, which is brought out by the remorse for the atrocities of war. This regret and guilt felt by Talthybius is implicitly echoed by other members of the Greek army, since the ubiquity of Talthybius acts as a proxy for the other soldiers. Regret and guilt are posed as negative outcomes of the Trojan war, thus showing the effect of conflict even on those who win it.
Euripides extensively explores the effects of war on individuals and societies, and this results in a clear mesage for readers: war is undesirable and unnecessary irrespective of one's position. The universal pain felt by characters during the Trojan war is an explicit and extreme case which the play urges societies to take heed of and prevent.
+
+> How does Euripides explore the impact that grief has on people and the various reactions?
+
+1. Hecuba - represents women. Grief brings out her perseverence and hope.
+2. Cassandra -
+3. Andromache - mournful (husband, Astyanax)
+4. Chorus - suffering
+
+Euripides shows how grief may bring out further perseverence and hope in individuals in response to horriffic events. This is evident through Hecuba's continued persistence through the "country of forgotten shadows", as she experiences tragedy after tragedy and is "stabed to the brain" by the Greeks.
+
+Grief can also cause horrendous and perpetual suffering for those who experience it. This is
+
+> How does Euripides condemn war?
+
+- violence against women
+- men == bad ????
+- war impacts everyone (incl. women & children)
+- everyone loses
+- graphic imagery (e.g. Astyanax)
+- war challenges morality
+
+The treatment of women is used in *Women of Troy* in order to condemn war.
+
+> How does Euripides explore the power of women?
+
+- powerlessness of women
+- use of sexuality (Helen)
+- rejection of stereotypical roles (Cassandra)
+- leadership to instill hope in others
+
+
+> How does Euripides explore the role of the gods in *The Women of Troy*?
+
+- introduction with Poseidon/Athene
+- - immense power over people
+- Ajax rapes Cassandra
+- - irrational?
+- motivation for war
+- - war is a human concept
+
+**Description of gods**
+
+- manipulative
+- fickle
+- coldhearted, ruthless
+- egotistical
+- demanding worship and respect
+- cavalier
+
+Euripides portrays the gods as manipulative and coldhearted, showing humans' tendency to submit to omnipotent powers. The beginning of the play emphasises how Poseidon and Athene care about little more than their own interests - "there's no longer anything left worth a god's consideration". Despite being dismissive and ignorant of their people, the gods also make their force clear by scheming to "make the Greeks' return home a disaster". This introduces the gods as always watching but unpredictable, giving readers a sense of fear and caution. After setting up this characterisation, Euripides frequently references them as "taking what's theirs", emphasising that "the gods hate Troy". Thus, the persistent and looming presence of the gods adds an element of fear to the play and expresses them in a dominant and powerful light.
+
+> "All our sacrifices, all our offerings, have been quite worthless, a waste of time". Consider the role of the gods in Euripides' *Women of Troy*.
+
+- gods are discriminatory/corrupt/voltaile
+- gods' ignorance is detrimental to Trojans
+- Athene - submits to Poseidon