MovieChat Forums > Cassandra's Dream (2008) Discussion > cassandra in mythology

cassandra in mythology

posted 15 years ago by heybobbo
9 replies | jump to latest

I thought this was interesting:

In Greek mythology, Cassandra was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Her beauty caused Apollo, God of Knowledge, to grant her the gift of prophecy. However, when she did not return his love, Apollo placed a curse on her so that no one would ever believe her predictions. The curse caused her gift to become a source of endless pain and frustration.

While Cassandra foresaw the destruction of Troy (she warned the Trojans about the Trojan Horse, the death of Agamemnon, and her own demise), she was unable to do anything to forestall these tragedies.

[–] phsdude5 15 years ago

Cassandra has always been one of my favorite tragic heroines. The mythology behind her is extremely fascinating!

I also read somewhere that she was related to the Oracle of Delphi...

[–] heich1 15 years ago

In Germany when someone makes a prediction that things will go wrong they are called a Cassandra.

[–] dathilacha 15 years ago

here in the u.s. too

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] paleolith 13 years ago

As already stated, in other parts of the world too.

But, we usually call someone a Cassandra just based on their dire predictions. In Greek mythology, Cassandra's predictions was accurate, but she was cursed so that no one would believe her, and thus was powerless to stop the things she foresaw.

One interpretation of the title of this film is that we the viewers are Cassandra: we know that tragedy is coming but cannot stop it.

Edward

[–] lakealice 8 years ago

The one brother was a Cassandra, having bad dreams, and bad feelings about what was to come, but the other brother chose not to believe him.

[–] AnonII 13 years ago

Equally interesting or ironic, especially for its omission, is the content of the garden-party scene late in film where the play producer's son(?) Eisley is discussing Greek plays and mythology with Angela and Ian, but does NOT mention Cassandra character.

Also, in Woody Allen's 1995 comedy "Mighty Aphrodite"--entitled for another Greek goddess--there's a group of characters who literally function as a Greek chorus throughout the movie.

[–] lcrews 12 years ago

Also, in Woody Allen's 1995 comedy "Mighty Aphrodite"--entitled for another Greek goddess--there's a group of characters who literally function as a Greek chorus throughout the movie.

Isn't that also the Woody movie where he says "Don't be such a Cassandra" to the actual Cassandra? (She was hanging out with the Greek chorus, IIRC).

[–] TheManInOil 12 years ago

The Greek Trajedy element of the story is very strong, and I'm at a loss why so many people posting here seem to hate the script. This is traditional storytelling done extremely well. I was astonished to see Allen revisiting old themes pull off something this efficient and flawless.

"I'll book you. I'll book you on something. I'll find something in the book to book you on."