Monologue Title: “Such Dreams Would Fill My Mind!”
From the Play: No More Trojan Wennen
Genre: Drama
Author: Justy DeForest
Character: Hecuba, Queen of Troy
Setting: Before the ruined Palace of Ancient Troy
Background: During her first face-to-face confrontation with Agamemnon, Commander of Acadian Forces, Hecuba remembers the high cost of the war to her children and calls into question the Greeks’ view of themselves as a civilized people.
HECUBA
I am seventy years old, and I am tired. Of what
this world has shown me, I have had my fill.
Nineteen children I have borne, and most now rest
in tiny urns. By day, I’d see another slaughtered;
by night, such dreams would fill my mind! I dreamt
if only I could tear myself open and put their ashes back
within my womb, there I might rekindle their life. Yet if
such things could be, I would not allow it. For my children
have shed enough tears and blood for three lifetimes;
I would not condemn them to live in this world more!
(Pause)
You think my sentiments uncivilized, Agamemnon?
What is civilized! Are your Greeks? — Are you!
Is there one here who cannot remember my son Hector?
On the day he faced Achilles, I stood upon the parapet.
I bore my breast before him. — Before the world, it made
no difference! And I said, “As I nurtured you, do not
fight Achilles!” But the war frenzy was upon him.
I watched as the spear pierced his flesh. And when
they were sure he was dead, I watched as his enemies
stood over him and thrust their brave swords into his
lifeless body. His ankles were punctured; a rope tied
through them. And my child was then dragged like a
boar’s carcass behind the chariot of a civilized Greek!
This I saw. And will you tell me that I have no respect for life?
© Justy DeForest 1983, 2009, 2021
Greetings from Justicea 