Instant Classics Cassandra: Prophet Of The Modern World?
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Oct 9, 2025 Discover the mythical figure of Cassandra, whose prophetic gifts were both a blessing and a curse. Explore how her warnings about the Trojan Horse highlight the tragedy of being unheard. From ancient texts to modern celebrity culture, her story reveals the complexities of communication and belief. Inspired by figures like Greta Thunberg, Cassandra transcends time, urging us to reflect on the nature of truth and understanding. The discussion delves into her tragic fate and the broader implications of her legacy in contemporary society.
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Myth As A Flexible Process
- Myth is flexible and serves the moment, so Cassandra appears in different fragments across texts and art.
- Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins stress that myths are verbs: people retell and reshape stories to fit purposes.
Art Focused On The Rape Scene
- Ancient visual art often emphasized Cassandra's rape and her being dragged from Athena's altar rather than her prophecies.
- Mary Beard notes Pompeian paintings and recent excavations that depict Apollo and Cassandra's confrontation.
Truths Can Be Punished
- Cassandra and Laocoön both warn against the Trojan Horse but suffer punishment that persuades Trojans otherwise.
- Mary Beard links their fates to the heavy price paid for telling unwelcome truths.
