Power of the Lament

Of all the language used in Hecuba the most powerful came from Hecuba herself as she laments the fate of her daughter. Though any normal individual would easily be moved by compassion towards this grieving mother, the power behind her words are enhanced by much more than situation. Due to the type of person that we are lead to believe that she is, her words obtained a power that someone of lessor character would not be able to wield. For example, if she were a terrible person who done nothing but take advantage of other people, the audience would not be moved as much by the power of her lament. However, as it happens we are lead to believe that Hecuba was a good queen. By the reactions of the fellow prisoners, who seemed legitimately sorry for Hecuba, we can assume she had a good report with them and by extension the people she used to rule. Furthermore, the fact that she had been singled out by her enemies indicates that she was always on the side of her people and made no concessions to the enemy for her own personal gain (as many rulers are oft to do). That being said, with the character that had been built, the audience wanted to feel her pain. They were willing to feel her pain. And because of the power of her words, they could feel her pain.

This same idea works with the power of persuasion. In her lament, she convinces the audience to take her side. She persuades us that she is the object of unfair treatment and that those who are causing such treatment are unjust and cruel. Again, the power behind her words would be significantly lessened if she were not a good person. The audience is generally less likely to side with a someone who is the recipient of harsh treatment, if that person seems to deserve such treatment. However, it did not seem like she deserved that treatment and thus we were moved to take her side against her abusive captors.