- 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