Question

Why do queen hecuba and king priam decide to kill their child?

Answer 1

Queen Hecuba and King Priam decide to kill their child due to the tragic events and circumstances of the Trojan War, as described in the play.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the play, the reason why Queen Hecuba and King Priam decide to kill their child is due to the tragic events and circumstances that they find themselves in. In Greek mythology, the Trojan War led to the downfall of Troy, and the deaths of many of its citizens. In their despair and desperation, Hecuba and Priam make the difficult decision to sacrifice their child as a form of mercy, rather than subjecting them to the horrors of war and potential enslavement. This tragic act showcases the extreme emotional toll that the war has taken on the royal couple and adds to the overall tragic nature of the play.

Answer 2

Because of a dream that pregnant Hecuba had one night, in which her child was a torch. Aesacus, a prophet, gave her an interpretation: her son Paris would cause the ruin of their great city of Troy. To prevent this impending doom, Aesacus told the royal couple, the child has to be killed. However, Hecuba and Priam didn't have the heart to do it, so they gave the child to a shepherd. The shepherd also couldn't do it himself, but let him in the mountain to starve. So, Paris survived, and the ruin of Troy was imminent.