Cruelty, tenderness and anger: ensuring the Women of Trachis speak to our times

At a time when the vocality of women’s anger seems particularly pertinent, this article examines two contemporary adaptations of Sophocles’ Women of Trachis, both of which draw our attention to the abused and traditionally mute character of Iole. Timberlake Wertenbaker’s 1999 radio adaptation, Dianeira, illustrates dramatically the perils of keeping Iole silent; whilst Martin Crimp’s 2004 stage adaptation, Cruel and Tender, imagines the result of giving her a voice. This article considers how both plays resonate with the gendered and international conflicts of the contemporary world.