Talthybius: Loyal Yet Compassionate Euripides’ tragedy, The Trojan Women, follows the agony and mourning forced upon the remaining Trojan women after the calamity of the Trojan War. Talthybius, a Greek herald, acts as the bearer of bad news for the Trojan women. Throughout the play, he is ordered to deliver the painful announcements pertaining to the women’s futures. It is believed that the numerous tragic messages Talthybius presents to the women of Troy bring out his merciless side. However, delivering these messages is simply his obligation but he shows sympathy towards the women as he watches their lives deteriorate. Throughout the play, evidence mounts that he begins to understand and empathize with the women proving that Talthybius is a sympathetic and compassionate messenger who feels pain and guilt for having to convey the messages to the already heartbroken women of Troy. The number of heartbreaking messages that Talthybius must deliver is large. He tells the women of their to different Greek men, especially Cassandra to King Agamemnon. Although this is not news that Talthybius wants to communicate with Hecuba, he attempts to justify his order. He endeavors to lessen Hecuba’s pain by explaining to Hecuba that Cassandra’s marriage to a great man like Agamemnon will provoke appreciation and reduce grief and sorrow. However, when he informs Hecuba of Cassandra destiny, she is overcome with anxiety and sadness. Talthybius continues to alleviate her sorrow by saying, “Is it not good fortune that she is chosen for the king’s bed?” (132). Talythybius focuses on King Agamemnon’s high prestige and power in order to relive her pain. When Talthybius is given the duty of having to tell Hecuba of Polyxena’s death, he continues to show emotion. The burden of informing a mother of the death of her daughter him puts a weight on his conscience. He attempts to calm her anxieties as a mother. In Talthybius’ conversation with Hecuba he says, “Think of your daughter as happy, free of trouble. She’s following her fate. Her cares are over” (40). He realizes the pain that comes with losing a child and he tries to ease her agony by convincing Hecuba that her daughter is in a happier place. He also recognizes and understands the pain that the Trojan women have already endured. Talthybius shows his understanding of the women’s pain when he inquires, “Or have they set fire to themselves to death, the way spirits do who find bad luck like this unbearable” (41). Although Talthybius does not encourage suicide, he understands that the women desire to be dismissed from pain through death. Talthybius feels much benevolence when ordering Adromache to give her son to the Greeks. Although it is Talthybius’ duty as a herald to perform any duty that the Greeks ask of him, he shows remorse and sadness towards the lives that he may affect. Many say that if he actually cared about the women he would have allowed the innocent child to survive. Nevertheless, it is clear that Talthybius finds it difficult to explain to the Trojan woman that he must extinguish her only son. Talthybius explains to her by saying, “Wife of Hector; once the bravest man in Troy, don’t hate me for what I’ve come to tell you” (55). When Adromache learns that the Greeks must take her son, Talthybius attempts to explain the Greek’s reasoning behind it. It is evident that he is compassionate and merciful because he says, “Someone with a heart more shameless than mine. As it is, my heart just isn’t hard enough” (58). He reveals that he is too kindhearted because a cold- hearted man would have taken her son and killed him and felt no remorse. His feelings of sympathy are further shown when he explains to Adromache that if she cooperates with the Greeks her son can have a proper burial. He pleads with Andromache not to attempt disobedience or rebelliousness against the Greeks because it will only lead to the demise of her and her son. Talthybius urges that she refrain from speaking ruthlessly with the Greeks because anything that she says or does to aggrevate the Greek army will lead to an improper burial for her son. Talthybius says, “If you are quiet, and in proper spirit accept what comes to you, you will not have to leave his body unburied and you’ll find the Achaens more considerate to yourself” (138). Talthybius proves that he wants the Trojan women to endure the least amount of pain as possible. Talthybius has respect for all humanity. He constantly shows his deep regard for human life through his interactions with the characters of The Trojan Women. He understands the agonies that the Trojan women experience, but he expects complete submission from the Trojan women to the Greeks. When speaking with Adromache he says, “We are capable of doing whatever we want with you, just one woman. Don’t struggle anymore. Don’t provoke us, or make things worse for you by cursing us, for if you make us angry, the army might decide to show this son of yours not mercy, leaving his corpse unburied” (56). He knows that the Greek men are completely dominant and the women are forced to be completely obedient. However, he shows complete respect for the remaining Trojan women through his attempt to make the best out of their bad situation. When telling Hecuba about her grandson’s death, he tries to alleviate her pain by saying, “As we crossed the of the Scamander, I washed the little corpse and cleaned its wounds. And now I’ll even break the ground and dig his grave” (70). Through these actions it is revealed that Talthybius has respect for human life, even after death. He believes in the importance of respect for the dead and he did everything possible to give honor to Hecuba’s family while at the same time fulfilling his duties to the Greeks. Although Talthybius is Greek and considered an enemy of the Trojan women, he is compassionate, understanding, and loyal. He is sympathetic toward the Trojan women, yet dutiful to the Greek army. Although he must enforce the rules to the Trojan women, he feels much compassion and pain when delivering these messages. He endeavors to ease the suffering the he must impose upon the women and children. He does his best to inflict as little pain as possible upon the women of Troy while still carrying out his duties. Throughout the play, Talthybius’ compassion is proven in his interactions with the Trojans; however, his obedience continues to remain in the Greeks. He believes that the messages he must convey to the women are an unavoidable reality. Although he remains faithful to the Greeks, he is saddened by the misery and pain that the women are experiencing. Talthybius plays a central role in this play because he is the only communicator between the Greeks and the Trojan women; without Talthybius, there would be no development in the play. He ignites reactions from the conquered women. Throughout The Trojan Women the Greek men hold all power and are most dominant. The Greeks expect complete submission from the women.