That Trojan Queen | Marina Carr | TEDxDCU

good evening everybody can you hear me

good evening everybody can you hear me I’m told I speak too low so I’m going to

I’m told I speak too low so I’m going to

I’m told I speak too low so I’m going to try and speak up and the voice gets

try and speak up and the voice gets

try and speak up and the voice gets lower so I’m here to speak to you this

lower so I’m here to speak to you this

lower so I’m here to speak to you this evening about that Trojan queen that

evening about that Trojan queen that

evening about that Trojan queen that Trojan Queen being Hecuba and the fabled

Trojan Queen being Hecuba and the fabled

Trojan Queen being Hecuba and the fabled queen of Troy the Phrygian horse woman

queen of Troy the Phrygian horse woman

queen of Troy the Phrygian horse woman all the statues of her the wife of Priam

all the statues of her the wife of Priam

all the statues of her the wife of Priam the mother of 18 children they say if

the mother of 18 children they say if

the mother of 18 children they say if you believe all the legends some say an

you believe all the legends some say an

you believe all the legends some say an interesting fact that Shakespeare based

interesting fact that Shakespeare based

interesting fact that Shakespeare based King Lear or that Lear is Shakespeare’s

King Lear or that Lear is Shakespeare’s

King Lear or that Lear is Shakespeare’s response to Hecuba and or to put it

response to Hecuba and or to put it

response to Hecuba and or to put it another way

another way

another way Lear is the male Hecuba there are many

Lear is the male Hecuba there are many

Lear is the male Hecuba there are many parallels both inhabit a haunted

parallels both inhabit a haunted

parallels both inhabit a haunted universe the gods are absent in both

universe the gods are absent in both

universe the gods are absent in both both had everything both lose everything

both had everything both lose everything

both had everything both lose everything one house on the heath one on the shore

one house on the heath one on the shore

one house on the heath one on the shore their children dead at their feet both

their children dead at their feet both

their children dead at their feet both are pushed beyond the limits of what one

are pushed beyond the limits of what one

are pushed beyond the limits of what one might just have justifiably be asked to

might just have justifiably be asked to

might just have justifiably be asked to endure on what sattell calls this black

endure on what sattell calls this black

endure on what sattell calls this black earth the Greeks went around calling

earth the Greeks went around calling

earth the Greeks went around calling everyone except themselves barbarians

everyone except themselves barbarians

everyone except themselves barbarians but hdf kiddo

but hdf kiddo

but hdf kiddo the famous scholar on all things Greek

the famous scholar on all things Greek

the famous scholar on all things Greek says that the Greeks were the original

says that the Greeks were the original

says that the Greeks were the original barbarians and what they did at Troy was

barbarians and what they did at Troy was

barbarians and what they did at Troy was something more than war it was the

something more than war it was the

something more than war it was the annihilation of an entire civilization

annihilation of an entire civilization

annihilation of an entire civilization it was genocide there’s something about

it was genocide there’s something about

it was genocide there’s something about Troy in all our imaginations the image

Troy in all our imaginations the image

Troy in all our imaginations the image of it as a race and also as the human

of it as a race and also as the human

of it as a race and also as the human race and in a way you could say we all

race and in a way you could say we all

race and in a way you could say we all lost Troy that that Bronze Age pink

lost Troy that that Bronze Age pink

lost Troy that that Bronze Age pink walled city has something beautiful and

walled city has something beautiful and

walled city has something beautiful and mysterious about us that we’ve forgotten

mysterious about us that we’ve forgotten

mysterious about us that we’ve forgotten that we buried something sacred there if

that we buried something sacred there if

that we buried something sacred there if you believe in the spirit in what Yeats

you believe in the spirit in what Yeats

you believe in the spirit in what Yeats calls beautiful lofty things then we are

calls beautiful lofty things then we are

calls beautiful lofty things then we are all of us all the poorer without Troy

all of us all the poorer without Troy

all of us all the poorer without Troy Euripides

Euripides

Euripides great Greek playwright wrote a play

great Greek playwright wrote a play

great Greek playwright wrote a play called Hecuba circa 500 BC now my Hecuba

called Hecuba circa 500 BC now my Hecuba

called Hecuba circa 500 BC now my Hecuba the cheek of me is a response to Europe

the cheek of me is a response to Europe

the cheek of me is a response to Europe at ease across the centuries and while I

at ease across the centuries and while I

at ease across the centuries and while I love and admire the plays of Euripides I

love and admire the plays of Euripides I

love and admire the plays of Euripides I feel who did an injustice to Hecuba and

feel who did an injustice to Hecuba and

feel who did an injustice to Hecuba and I always thought Hecuba got an extremely

I always thought Hecuba got an extremely

I always thought Hecuba got an extremely bad press largely thanks to Europe ”tis

bad press largely thanks to Europe ”tis

bad press largely thanks to Europe ”tis rightly or wrongly I never agreed with

rightly or wrongly I never agreed with

rightly or wrongly I never agreed with the verdict on her

the verdict on her

the verdict on her so the Hecuba I wrote is an attempt to

so the Hecuba I wrote is an attempt to

so the Hecuba I wrote is an attempt to re-examine an in part redeem a great and

re-examine an in part redeem a great and

re-examine an in part redeem a great and tragic Queen history as they say is

tragic Queen history as they say is

tragic Queen history as they say is written by the winners sometimes I think

written by the winners sometimes I think

written by the winners sometimes I think myths are too and the fragile Greek

myths are too and the fragile Greek

myths are too and the fragile Greek states are 500 BC needed to get certain

states are 500 BC needed to get certain

states are 500 BC needed to get certain myths in stone to bolster their sense of

myths in stone to bolster their sense of

myths in stone to bolster their sense of themselves and validate their savage

themselves and validate their savage

themselves and validate their savage conquests it was very easy to trash

conquests it was very easy to trash

conquests it was very easy to trash Hecuba she was dead

Hecuba she was dead

Hecuba she was dead for 700 years she was trojan she was the

for 700 years she was trojan she was the

for 700 years she was trojan she was the enemy and most of all she was a woman no

enemy and most of all she was a woman no

enemy and most of all she was a woman no doubt she was as flawed as the rest of

doubt she was as flawed as the rest of

doubt she was as flawed as the rest of us but to turn a flaw to a monstrosity

us but to turn a flaw to a monstrosity

us but to turn a flaw to a monstrosity snacks to me of expedience

snacks to me of expedience

snacks to me of expedience so my Hecuba is an attempt to show her

so my Hecuba is an attempt to show her

so my Hecuba is an attempt to show her in another light how she suffered what

in another light how she suffered what

in another light how she suffered what she might have felt and how she may have

she might have felt and how she may have

she might have felt and how she may have reacted so to read you from the first

reacted so to read you from the first

reacted so to read you from the first part and I’m the one cheating tonight

part and I’m the one cheating tonight

part and I’m the one cheating tonight everybody else has her dog off by heart

everybody else has her dog off by heart

everybody else has her dog off by heart but it’s one of the joys of being a

but it’s one of the joys of being a

but it’s one of the joys of being a player I should get to read you don’t

player I should get to read you don’t

player I should get to read you don’t learn it off by heart so and what you

learn it off by heart so and what you

learn it off by heart so and what you might need to know just a little

might need to know just a little

might need to know just a little background knowledge on this so Hecuba

background knowledge on this so Hecuba

background knowledge on this so Hecuba obviously is the queen of Troy she’s

obviously is the queen of Troy she’s

obviously is the queen of Troy she’s married to prime as the king of Troy and

married to prime as the king of Troy and

married to prime as the king of Troy and the other person in this scene is

the other person in this scene is

the other person in this scene is Agamemnon and they speak together

Agamemnon and they speak together

Agamemnon and they speak together Agamemnon is the Mycenaean King he’s

Agamemnon is the Mycenaean King he’s

Agamemnon is the Mycenaean King he’s head of the Greek army

head of the Greek army

head of the Greek army it wasn’t Greece then actually there

it wasn’t Greece then actually there

it wasn’t Greece then actually there were just bands of warring Punk’s

were just bands of warring Punk’s

were just bands of warring Punk’s looking for advantages basically what

looking for advantages basically what

looking for advantages basically what they were coming to Troy apparently they

they were coming to Troy apparently they

they were coming to Troy apparently they were off of open 40 Kings who came to

were off of open 40 Kings who came to

were off of open 40 Kings who came to Troy looking for plunder and booty and

Troy looking for plunder and booty and

Troy looking for plunder and booty and one more vicious than the next so he and

one more vicious than the next so he and

one more vicious than the next so he and argument

argument

argument and heckuva will speak other names may

and heckuva will speak other names may

and heckuva will speak other names may in this scene Cassandra the little

in this scene Cassandra the little

in this scene Cassandra the little prophetess one of the daughters of King

prophetess one of the daughters of King

prophetess one of the daughters of King Priam and Queen Hecuba she foretold it

Priam and Queen Hecuba she foretold it

Priam and Queen Hecuba she foretold it all and nobody would believe her this is

all and nobody would believe her this is

all and nobody would believe her this is how she was cursed by Apollo Pollux Anna

how she was cursed by Apollo Pollux Anna

how she was cursed by Apollo Pollux Anna the other daughter of Hecuba by the time

the other daughter of Hecuba by the time

the other daughter of Hecuba by the time the play is over Pollux no will have

the play is over Pollux no will have

the play is over Pollux no will have been sacrificed on an altar by the

been sacrificed on an altar by the

been sacrificed on an altar by the Greeks so the wind can change or not

Greeks so the wind can change or not

Greeks so the wind can change or not change or blow or national it’s very

change or blow or national it’s very

change or blow or national it’s very difficult to know what’s meant to be

difficult to know what’s meant to be

difficult to know what’s meant to be going on with the Greek wind and then

going on with the Greek wind and then

going on with the Greek wind and then Polydorus the youngest last living son

Polydorus the youngest last living son

Polydorus the youngest last living son of Hecuba and Priam

of Hecuba and Priam

of Hecuba and Priam Helen famous Helen of Troy the face that

Helen famous Helen of Troy the face that

Helen famous Helen of Troy the face that launched a thousand ships

launched a thousand ships

launched a thousand ships apparently Helen was the reason the

apparently Helen was the reason the

apparently Helen was the reason the Greeks went to war against the Trojans

Greeks went to war against the Trojans

Greeks went to war against the Trojans because Paris had stolen Helen etc etc

because Paris had stolen Helen etc etc

because Paris had stolen Helen etc etc some say Helen was never in Troy that

some say Helen was never in Troy that

some say Helen was never in Troy that the Greeks made her all that they was

the Greeks made her all that they was

the Greeks made her all that they was they she was the reason they gave for

they she was the reason they gave for

they she was the reason they gave for invading Troy not much has changed

invading Troy not much has changed

invading Troy not much has changed really they’re still reasons being

really they’re still reasons being

really they’re still reasons being invented to invade other countries so it

invented to invade other countries so it

invented to invade other countries so it seems that centuries change epochs

seems that centuries change epochs

seems that centuries change epochs change locations change but human nature

change locations change but human nature

change locations change but human nature does not change very much the blood lost

does not change very much the blood lost

does not change very much the blood lost in the seems to be as terrifying as ever

in the seems to be as terrifying as ever

in the seems to be as terrifying as ever I’m your prophet of gloom and doom

I’m your prophet of gloom and doom

I’m your prophet of gloom and doom tonight here I apologize in advance okay

tonight here I apologize in advance okay

tonight here I apologize in advance okay so this is Hecuba and she’s in the

so this is Hecuba and she’s in the

so this is Hecuba and she’s in the throne room

throne room

throne room Troy has fallen Hecuba so I’m in the

Troy has fallen Hecuba so I’m in the

Troy has fallen Hecuba so I’m in the throne room surrounded by the limbs

throne room surrounded by the limbs

throne room surrounded by the limbs torsos heads corpses of my sons my women

torsos heads corpses of my sons my women

torsos heads corpses of my sons my women trying to dress me blood between my toes

trying to dress me blood between my toes

trying to dress me blood between my toes my son’s blood six of them seven of them

my son’s blood six of them seven of them

my son’s blood six of them seven of them eight I’ve lost count not that you can

eight I’ve lost count not that you can

eight I’ve lost count not that you can count anyway they’re not complete more

count anyway they’re not complete more

count anyway they’re not complete more an assortment of legs arms chest

an assortment of legs arms chest

an assortment of legs arms chest somewhat the armors still on some

somewhat the armors still on some

somewhat the armors still on some stripped hands and a pile whose hands

stripped hands and a pile whose hands

stripped hands and a pile whose hands are they ears missing eyes hanging out

are they ears missing eyes hanging out

are they ears missing eyes hanging out of sockets and then a drama care comes

of sockets and then a drama care comes

of sockets and then a drama care comes in screaming holding this bloody bundle

in screaming holding this bloody bundle

in screaming holding this bloody bundle my grandson intact except for his head

my grandson intact except for his head

my grandson intact except for his head smashed off a wall like an eggshell

smashed off a wall like an eggshell

smashed off a wall like an eggshell there through the South Gate she says

there through the South Gate she says

there through the South Gate she says they’ve breached the Citadel they’re

they’ve breached the Citadel they’re

they’ve breached the Citadel they’re here I say put him with the rest put him

here I say put him with the rest put him

here I say put him with the rest put him beside Hector his father’s mangled

beside Hector his father’s mangled

beside Hector his father’s mangled she won’t stop screaming shut up I say

she won’t stop screaming shut up I say

she won’t stop screaming shut up I say you’ll draw them honest I tell the women

you’ll draw them honest I tell the women

you’ll draw them honest I tell the women to cover her mouth we have no soldiers

to cover her mouth we have no soldiers

to cover her mouth we have no soldiers to protect us all dead are still

to protect us all dead are still

to protect us all dead are still fighting trying to save their own women

fighting trying to save their own women

fighting trying to save their own women children and I don’t know where prayin

children and I don’t know where prayin

children and I don’t know where prayin is he went out a while ago when was it

is he went out a while ago when was it

is he went out a while ago when was it last night yesterday my women are

last night yesterday my women are

last night yesterday my women are putting perfume on me perfume I swapped

putting perfume on me perfume I swapped

putting perfume on me perfume I swapped them away the smell of blood wading in

them away the smell of blood wading in

them away the smell of blood wading in at the tang of rotting bodies everywhere

at the tang of rotting bodies everywhere

at the tang of rotting bodies everywhere bodies that came out of this body and I

bodies that came out of this body and I

bodies that came out of this body and I wanted vomit but there is nothing in my

wanted vomit but there is nothing in my

wanted vomit but there is nothing in my stomach they’ve cut off our food

stomach they’ve cut off our food

stomach they’ve cut off our food supplies and Casandra standing at the

supplies and Casandra standing at the

supplies and Casandra standing at the throne that smirk on her face I told you

throne that smirk on her face I told you

throne that smirk on her face I told you so did I not tell you so and I could

so did I not tell you so and I could

so did I not tell you so and I could kill her right now and Pollux and

kill her right now and Pollux and

kill her right now and Pollux and they’re looking at me petulant willing

they’re looking at me petulant willing

they’re looking at me petulant willing me to turn it all around make it all

me to turn it all around make it all

me to turn it all around make it all right make sense of it and I’m glad at

right make sense of it and I’m glad at

right make sense of it and I’m glad at least my little Polydorus is safe we’ve

least my little Polydorus is safe we’ve

least my little Polydorus is safe we’ve sent him to Thrace away from all of this

sent him to Thrace away from all of this

sent him to Thrace away from all of this and then a soldier comes reeling in the

and then a soldier comes reeling in the

and then a soldier comes reeling in the door

door

door prions head in his hands my husband’s

prions head in his hands my husband’s

prions head in his hands my husband’s head they’ve beheaded him in the great

head they’ve beheaded him in the great

head they’ve beheaded him in the great sky God’s temple I said where’s the rest

sky God’s temple I said where’s the rest

sky God’s temple I said where’s the rest of him what good is a head we can’t bury

of him what good is a head we can’t bury

of him what good is a head we can’t bury his head without the rest of them and

his head without the rest of them and

his head without the rest of them and the soldier says I don’t know they’ve

the soldier says I don’t know they’ve

the soldier says I don’t know they’ve burnt the temple burnt the temple the

burnt the temple burnt the temple the

burnt the temple burnt the temple the whole cities in flames he says and he

whole cities in flames he says and he

whole cities in flames he says and he puts primes head into my hands I sit on

puts primes head into my hands I sit on

puts primes head into my hands I sit on the throne holding it like a baby his

the throne holding it like a baby his

the throne holding it like a baby his tongues hanging out his eyes are

tongues hanging out his eyes are

tongues hanging out his eyes are terrifying a ferocious death I tried to

terrifying a ferocious death I tried to

terrifying a ferocious death I tried to close his eyes they’re caked with blood

close his eyes they’re caked with blood

close his eyes they’re caked with blood crossed dust I can’t close them and the

crossed dust I can’t close them and the

crossed dust I can’t close them and the soldiers weeping on his knees holding my

soldiers weeping on his knees holding my

soldiers weeping on his knees holding my ankles all the men castrated he says not

ankles all the men castrated he says not

ankles all the men castrated he says not enough to kill and desecrate them too

enough to kill and desecrate them too

enough to kill and desecrate them too and I say the women what about the women

and I say the women what about the women

and I say the women what about the women the children the women too they’re

the children the women too they’re

the children the women too they’re killing the women he says all the old

killing the women he says all the old

killing the women he says all the old ones the ugly ones the ones past

ones the ugly ones the ones past

ones the ugly ones the ones past childbearing past work and the children

childbearing past work and the children

childbearing past work and the children I say Priam’s head is oozing onto my

I say Priam’s head is oozing onto my

I say Priam’s head is oozing onto my dress the children he says all the boys

dress the children he says all the boys

dress the children he says all the boys and old girls under 10 why I say though

and old girls under 10 why I say though

and old girls under 10 why I say though I know it’s a stupid question not enough

I know it’s a stupid question not enough

I know it’s a stupid question not enough room of the ships he says they’re

room of the ships he says they’re

room of the ships he says they’re rounding them up have them in the cattle

rounding them up have them in the cattle

rounding them up have them in the cattle pens and I think this is not war in war

pens and I think this is not war in war

pens and I think this is not war in war there are rules laws codes this is

there are rules laws codes this is

there are rules laws codes this is genocide they’re wiping us out and then

genocide they’re wiping us out and then

genocide they’re wiping us out and then they’re shouting clashing of swords more

they’re shouting clashing of swords more

they’re shouting clashing of swords more screens and Agamemnon is in the throne

screens and Agamemnon is in the throne

screens and Agamemnon is in the throne room this is agony No

room this is agony No

room this is agony No fabled Queen I say she hears the mockery

fabled Queen I say she hears the mockery

fabled Queen I say she hears the mockery in my voice though it’s not complete

in my voice though it’s not complete

in my voice though it’s not complete mockery I’ve been wanting to get a good

mockery I’ve been wanting to get a good

mockery I’ve been wanting to get a good look at her for a while and there she is

look at her for a while and there she is

look at her for a while and there she is perched on her husband’s throne holding

perched on her husband’s throne holding

perched on her husband’s throne holding what his head the blood flowing down her

what his head the blood flowing down her

what his head the blood flowing down her arms and what arms they are long and

arms and what arms they are long and

arms and what arms they are long and powerful what’s that I say she doesn’t

powerful what’s that I say she doesn’t

powerful what’s that I say she doesn’t answer just looks at me as if I’m a gold

answer just looks at me as if I’m a gold

answer just looks at me as if I’m a gold heart the snug cocked is straight back

heart the snug cocked is straight back

heart the snug cocked is straight back 3,000 years of breeding in that pose

3,000 years of breeding in that pose

3,000 years of breeding in that pose this is Hecuba game they told me many

this is Hecuba game they told me many

this is Hecuba game they told me many things about him this terror of the

things about him this terror of the

things about him this terror of the Aegean this monster from Mycenae but

Aegean this monster from Mycenae but

Aegean this monster from Mycenae but they forgot to tell me about the eyes

they forgot to tell me about the eyes

they forgot to tell me about the eyes sapphires transcendental eyes fringed by

sapphires transcendental eyes fringed by

sapphires transcendental eyes fringed by lashes any girl would kill for I pretend

lashes any girl would kill for I pretend

lashes any girl would kill for I pretend I don’t know who he is and you are I say

I don’t know who he is and you are I say

I don’t know who he is and you are I say you know damn well Who I am

you know damn well Who I am

you know damn well Who I am he laughs and you may stand Agamemnon

he laughs and you may stand Agamemnon

he laughs and you may stand Agamemnon and she says she’ll stand when she feels

and she says she’ll stand when she feels

and she says she’ll stand when she feels like it

like it

like it so I lift her off the throne now that

so I lift her off the throne now that

so I lift her off the throne now that wasn’t too difficult was it I say I

wasn’t too difficult was it I say I

wasn’t too difficult was it I say I can’t resist twirling her though I know

can’t resist twirling her though I know

can’t resist twirling her though I know it should show more respect used but

it should show more respect used but

it should show more respect used but good very good

good very good

good very good I was expecting and I would hide with

I was expecting and I would hide with

I was expecting and I would hide with her belly hanging down to her knees but

her belly hanging down to her knees but

her belly hanging down to her knees but she’s all right there’s bed and in her

she’s all right there’s bed and in her

she’s all right there’s bed and in her yet Hecuba god bless you he says as he

yet Hecuba god bless you he says as he

yet Hecuba god bless you he says as he twirls meet god bless you but war is

twirls meet god bless you but war is

twirls meet god bless you but war is hard and the women he smiles a Cassandra

hard and the women he smiles a Cassandra

hard and the women he smiles a Cassandra Cassandra smiles back that I keep

Cassandra smiles back that I keep

Cassandra smiles back that I keep trollop

trollop

trollop so you’re the man’s slit his daughter’s

so you’re the man’s slit his daughter’s

so you’re the man’s slit his daughter’s throat to change the wind I say

throat to change the wind I say

throat to change the wind I say Agamemnon and the wind changed I tell

Agamemnon and the wind changed I tell

Agamemnon and the wind changed I tell her the wind changed

her the wind changed

her the wind changed Hecuba and I wonder what sort of wife he

Hecuba and I wonder what sort of wife he

Hecuba and I wonder what sort of wife he must have this barbarian who calls

must have this barbarian who calls

must have this barbarian who calls himself King Agamemnon and she’s looking

himself King Agamemnon and she’s looking

himself King Agamemnon and she’s looking me up and down she has an eye on her 18

me up and down she has an eye on her 18

me up and down she has an eye on her 18 children I’m told I wonder if they’re

children I’m told I wonder if they’re

children I’m told I wonder if they’re all primes

all primes

all primes I wouldn’t mind making a son with her

I wouldn’t mind making a son with her

I wouldn’t mind making a son with her only way to start a woman like that out

only way to start a woman like that out

only way to start a woman like that out isn’t bad take the heart in Sheen offer

isn’t bad take the heart in Sheen offer

isn’t bad take the heart in Sheen offer the arrogance even when she’s skidding

the arrogance even when she’s skidding

the arrogance even when she’s skidding in blood stepping over corpses the lip

in blood stepping over corpses the lip

in blood stepping over corpses the lip curling this is my husband hath

curling this is my husband hath

curling this is my husband hath husband’s head she says brandishing it

husband’s head she says brandishing it

husband’s head she says brandishing it happening you didn’t even have the

happening you didn’t even have the

happening you didn’t even have the decency to give me back his body

decency to give me back his body

decency to give me back his body Hecuba these are the remains of my sons

Hecuba these are the remains of my sons

Hecuba these are the remains of my sons I say pointing to the dong heap of lame

I say pointing to the dong heap of lame

I say pointing to the dong heap of lame heads hearts next next I loved and

heads hearts next next I loved and

heads hearts next next I loved and kissed I have to bury them I say

kissed I have to bury them I say

kissed I have to bury them I say Agamemnon safe my men will take care of

Agamemnon safe my men will take care of

Agamemnon safe my men will take care of it

it

it I see the corpse of an infant who’s that

I see the corpse of an infant who’s that

I see the corpse of an infant who’s that I say hecuba’s command Ria’s Hector’s

I say hecuba’s command Ria’s Hector’s

I say hecuba’s command Ria’s Hector’s babe

babe

babe Agamemnon I thought his name was a Stein

Agamemnon I thought his name was a Stein

Agamemnon I thought his name was a Stein executor no scheme andreas why do you

executor no scheme andreas why do you

executor no scheme andreas why do you want to know Agamemnon I wonder then

want to know Agamemnon I wonder then

want to know Agamemnon I wonder then that Hector have two songs these Trojans

that Hector have two songs these Trojans

that Hector have two songs these Trojans soul I can’t have any of them alive

soul I can’t have any of them alive

soul I can’t have any of them alive where’s the boy I say what boy she says

where’s the boy I say what boy she says

where’s the boy I say what boy she says do you know what boy I say Polydorus

do you know what boy I say Polydorus

do you know what boy I say Polydorus your boy your last born heckuva I don’t

your boy your last born heckuva I don’t

your boy your last born heckuva I don’t know

know

know Agamemnon you know Hecuba he’s nine he’s

Agamemnon you know Hecuba he’s nine he’s

Agamemnon you know Hecuba he’s nine he’s a child

a child

a child Agamemnon children grow up fast last

Agamemnon children grow up fast last

Agamemnon children grow up fast last thing I want is to Trojan sails on the

thing I want is to Trojan sails on the

thing I want is to Trojan sails on the wide Aegean your boy at the head of

wide Aegean your boy at the head of

wide Aegean your boy at the head of activity he’s no threat to you where is

activity he’s no threat to you where is

activity he’s no threat to you where is he he Said’s can see the anger rising in

he he Said’s can see the anger rising in

he he Said’s can see the anger rising in him the man of sudden rages can’t be

him the man of sudden rages can’t be

him the man of sudden rages can’t be thwarted I must be careful prime sent

thwarted I must be careful prime sent

thwarted I must be careful prime sent him away for safekeeping six months ago

him away for safekeeping six months ago

him away for safekeeping six months ago I say I don’t know where as stabbed goes

I say I don’t know where as stabbed goes

I say I don’t know where as stabbed goes through me Polydorus

through me Polydorus

through me Polydorus they’re gonna take you to Agamemnon you

they’re gonna take you to Agamemnon you

they’re gonna take you to Agamemnon you know well where he is and the longer

know well where he is and the longer

know well where he is and the longer this business goes on the worse it’ll be

this business goes on the worse it’ll be

this business goes on the worse it’ll be for you and she starts crying please she

for you and she starts crying please she

for you and she starts crying please she whispers please the face crumpling I’ve

whispers please the face crumpling I’ve

whispers please the face crumpling I’ve seen that look before on my wife’s face

seen that look before on my wife’s face

seen that look before on my wife’s face when they made me drag if you janilla

when they made me drag if you janilla

when they made me drag if you janilla from her arms but I can’t let the boy

from her arms but I can’t let the boy

from her arms but I can’t let the boy live this is war these things have to be

live this is war these things have to be

live this is war these things have to be done don’t you have children she says I

done don’t you have children she says I

done don’t you have children she says I have lots of children the daughters are

have lots of children the daughters are

have lots of children the daughters are stoners can see the mother and then what

stoners can see the mother and then what

stoners can see the mother and then what she must have been in her prime not that

she must have been in her prime not that

she must have been in her prime not that I mind the old hands have a weakness for

I mind the old hands have a weakness for

I mind the old hands have a weakness for them all said board the nostrils of

them all said board the nostrils of

them all said board the nostrils of girls these long years they know nothing

girls these long years they know nothing

girls these long years they know nothing understand nothing but a look and this

understand nothing but a look and this

understand nothing but a look and this one’s I mean topper I gave plenty to see

one’s I mean topper I gave plenty to see

one’s I mean topper I gave plenty to see that look hast I waited challenged then

that look hast I waited challenged then

that look hast I waited challenged then transported once I’d get to the animal

transported once I’d get to the animal

transported once I’d get to the animal in her the young ones won’t reveal that

in her the young ones won’t reveal that

in her the young ones won’t reveal that I think it’s all flowers and moonlight

I think it’s all flowers and moonlight

I think it’s all flowers and moonlight and concealing think they have all of

and concealing think they have all of

and concealing think they have all of time to declare themselves with this one

time to declare themselves with this one

time to declare themselves with this one and star-like might take a while to get

and star-like might take a while to get

and star-like might take a while to get her done and willing but by god when you

her done and willing but by god when you

her done and willing but by god when you did heck given my husband’s body where

did heck given my husband’s body where

did heck given my husband’s body where is it Agamemnon I tell her there’s no

is it Agamemnon I tell her there’s no

is it Agamemnon I tell her there’s no time she has to get on the ships but

time she has to get on the ships but

time she has to get on the ships but she’s not listening she’s losing it

she’s not listening she’s losing it

she’s not listening she’s losing it we’re evacuating Troy burning it to the

we’re evacuating Troy burning it to the

we’re evacuating Troy burning it to the ground this

ground this

ground this of liars and rapists she’s listening now

of liars and rapists she’s listening now

of liars and rapists she’s listening now turns on me blood rising hands shaking

turns on me blood rising hands shaking

turns on me blood rising hands shaking with rage goes into a real spittle on

with rage goes into a real spittle on

with rage goes into a real spittle on her lips as she gives bent you came as

her lips as she gives bent you came as

her lips as she gives bent you came as guests she hisses Hecuba you came as

guests she hisses Hecuba you came as

guests she hisses Hecuba you came as guests rolling in here stinking of gold

guests rolling in here stinking of gold

guests rolling in here stinking of gold a mackerel and you came with malice

a mackerel and you came with malice

a mackerel and you came with malice in your hearts you saw our beautiful

in your hearts you saw our beautiful

in your hearts you saw our beautiful city our valleys our fields green and

city our valleys our fields green and

city our valleys our fields green and giving you had never seen such abundance

giving you had never seen such abundance

giving you had never seen such abundance you wanted it you must have it you came

you wanted it you must have it you came

you wanted it you must have it you came to plunder and destroy Agamemnon and she

to plunder and destroy Agamemnon and she

to plunder and destroy Agamemnon and she rattles on about there paved streets

rattles on about there paved streets

rattles on about there paved streets their temples there are marble libraries

their temples there are marble libraries

their temples there are marble libraries their holy job priests their palaces of

their holy job priests their palaces of

their holy job priests their palaces of turquoise and pink gold I say where’s

turquoise and pink gold I say where’s

turquoise and pink gold I say where’s heaven we can’t find her HECO Helen

heaven we can’t find her HECO Helen

heaven we can’t find her HECO Helen Helen Helen was never here and where you

Helen Helen was never here and where you

Helen Helen was never here and where you know Agamemnon you have to admire her

know Agamemnon you have to admire her

know Agamemnon you have to admire her the brazen stance I say you stand here

the brazen stance I say you stand here

the brazen stance I say you stand here everything lost and still you lie who is

everything lost and still you lie who is

everything lost and still you lie who is this Helen she says and if she could get

this Helen she says and if she could get

this Helen she says and if she could get her hands on her she tear her asunder to

her hands on her she tear her asunder to

her hands on her she tear her asunder to enter a man’s house I’d say to bed his

enter a man’s house I’d say to bed his

enter a man’s house I’d say to bed his wife to kidnap her to kill her to do

wife to kidnap her to kill her to do

wife to kidnap her to kill her to do away with the evidence we want Helen

away with the evidence we want Helen

away with the evidence we want Helen back we have our dead to bury to Hecuba

back we have our dead to bury to Hecuba

back we have our dead to bury to Hecuba Helen does not exist you made her up

Helen does not exist you made her up

Helen does not exist you made her up you needed a reason to take it all there

you needed a reason to take it all there

you needed a reason to take it all there is no heaven there never was a Helen

is no heaven there never was a Helen

is no heaven there never was a Helen yeah yeah yeah he says that’s your

yeah yeah yeah he says that’s your

yeah yeah yeah he says that’s your version cassandra snorts plays with our

version cassandra snorts plays with our

version cassandra snorts plays with our bangles stares at him we need a treaty I

bangles stares at him we need a treaty I

bangles stares at him we need a treaty I say I must calm down save what I can we

say I must calm down save what I can we

say I must calm down save what I can we need to hammer out a treaty Agamemnon

need to hammer out a treaty Agamemnon

need to hammer out a treaty Agamemnon now you want to treaty the little

now you want to treaty the little

now you want to treaty the little prophetess is wearing the bracelet I

prophetess is wearing the bracelet I

prophetess is wearing the bracelet I sent her you’re far too young the other

sent her you’re far too young the other

sent her you’re far too young the other girl glares oh I know she’s no innocent

girl glares oh I know she’s no innocent

girl glares oh I know she’s no innocent gave many happy hours with the bold

gave many happy hours with the bold

gave many happy hours with the bold achenes way past time for treaties my

achenes way past time for treaties my

achenes way past time for treaties my good lady I tell the soldiers to round

good lady I tell the soldiers to round

good lady I tell the soldiers to round them up get them on the ships I’m going

them up get them on the ships I’m going

them up get them on the ships I’m going nowhere she says till I bury these she

nowhere she says till I bury these she

nowhere she says till I bury these she waves her hands

waves her hands

waves her hands obviously the place is an abattoir thank

obviously the place is an abattoir thank

obviously the place is an abattoir thank you very much

you very much

you very much [Applause]