When Briseis Met Chryseis, Or: Love in a Time of Human Trafficking

by Carol Lashof

When Briseis meets Chryseis, it’s the tenth year of the Trojan War and both women are “war prizes” held captive by the besieging Greek army. At first their friendship helps them make the best of things and even to feel glad they are still alive, but as plague threatens the Greek camp and the women's friendship deepens into love, it threatens their survival.

When Briseis meets Chryseis, it’s the tenth year of the Trojan War and both women are “war prizes” held captive by the besieging Greek army. At first their friendship helps them make the best of things and even to feel glad they are still alive, but as plague threatens the Greek camp and the women's friendship deepens into love, it threatens their survival.

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When Briseis Met Chryseis, Or: Love in a Time of Human Trafficking

Recommended by

  • Chandler Hubbard: When Briseis Met Chryseis, Or: Love in a Time of Human Trafficking by Carol Lashof
    “

    Bristling with sorrows named and unnamed. Even as we anticipate the Greek tragedy we know so well, we pray for a happy ending. Would love to see more of these women - perhaps a full-length version?

    Bristling with sorrows named and unnamed. Even as we anticipate the Greek tragedy we know so well, we pray for a happy ending. Would love to see more of these women - perhaps a full-length version?

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: When Briseis Met Chryseis, Or: Love in a Time of Human Trafficking by Carol Lashof
    “

    I love the Ancient Greeks! This retelling/reinterpretation of the story of Briseis and Chryseis is beautiful. We need all the female perspectives on war, rape, and human trafficking that we can get! So I am thrilled to recommend this one-act for its strong dramaturgical arc, exciting relationships, and the dialogue at the end is incredibly moving!

    I love the Ancient Greeks! This retelling/reinterpretation of the story of Briseis and Chryseis is beautiful. We need all the female perspectives on war, rape, and human trafficking that we can get! So I am thrilled to recommend this one-act for its strong dramaturgical arc, exciting relationships, and the dialogue at the end is incredibly moving!

    ”
  • Asher Wyndham: When Briseis Met Chryseis, Or: Love in a Time of Human Trafficking by Carol Lashof
    “

    From friendship to love, Lashof captures the relationship between Briseis and Chryseis with Sapphic lyricism. The dialog captures painfully their difficult decision in a dangerous world where women are commodities and prizes. I would love to read more plays by Lashof that take place in Ancient Greece.

    From friendship to love, Lashof captures the relationship between Briseis and Chryseis with Sapphic lyricism. The dialog captures painfully their difficult decision in a dangerous world where women are commodities and prizes. I would love to read more plays by Lashof that take place in Ancient Greece.

    ”

Character Information

CHARACTERS:

BRISEIS, a young Trojan woman, captured by the Greeks and taken as a prize by the warrior Achilles.
CHRYSEIS, a young Trojan woman, captured by the Greeks and given as a prize to King Agamemnon, leader of the Greek armies.
PATROCLUS, a Greek warrior.

All characters my be played by actors of any race or ethnicity.
  • Briseis
    A young Trojan woman, captured by the Greeks and taken as a prize by the warrior Achilles.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Chryseis
    A young Trojan woman, captured by the Greeks and given as a prize to King Agamemnon, leader of the Greek armies.
    Teens - twenties
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Patroclus
    A Greek warrior.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, San Francisco Olympians Festival, 2013

Production History

  • Professional, Those Women Productions, 2015