Made me think. ( )

With the Greeks and war approaching, the Trojans have varying attitudes about the cause of it and the plan of action. Paris is ready to fight, as are the elders, Helen doesn't care one way or another, Andromache is terrified and Hector, the warrior, is willing to do anything to avoid it as he doesn't believe Helen is worth the trouble.
A dramedy first performed in 1955 with Michael Redgrave as Hector, the play gives these famous characters some surprisingly different views. Helen is vain and hungry for fame, but also introspective at times and very much in control of her life. Paris is shown as thoughtless and irresponsible, Hecuba and Cassandra are jaded and blunt in their assessments, Ajax is a drunk and the wise elders of Troy believe that writing a war song and forcing the troops to practice hurling insults to the enemy will win the war. ( )

Concerning the Franco-German relationship, the play articulates French people’s war fears and ends very pessimistic, although the author planned it to be a comedy.

Hector and the women of Troy attempt to prevent the Trojan War.

The English translation is by Christopher Fry, whose own work mirrors the lyrical whimsy of Giraudoux's.

This piece is clearly a meditation on the impending Second World War and the attempts to make the First World War the war to end all wars. It is bitter-sweet and funny; a great anti-war manifesto. ( )

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