Odysseus arrives and tells Hecuba that the army has voted to sacrifice Polyxena to the ghost of Achilles; Odysseus has been sent to fetch Polyxena. Hecuba reminds Odysseus that during the war, he “came to Troy, a spy, in beggar’s disguise” (241), but was discovered by Helen, who betrayed his identity to Hecuba. Though Hecuba had Odysseus in her power, she agreed to keep his presence a secret when he begged her for his life. Now Hecuba asks that Odysseus return the favor—to spare Polyxena’s life. She asks what possible justification there can be for sacrificing Polyxena, even suggesting that Helen, who caused the war, be sacrificed instead. Odysseus, however, is unmoved. He admits that he is indebted to Hecuba for saving his life, but claims to have no choice in the matter: He vowed that when Troy was captured, the daughter of the king and queen would be given to the best soldier, and the dead Achilles was by far the best soldier in the Greek army. He shudders at the implications of failing to properly honor the dead and advises Hecuba to endure her grief.

Hecuba asks Polyxena to beg Odysseus for her life.