Cassandra Raving (Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, Act 2, Scene 2) 1795 - 1852

This 19th century engraving by Francis Legat depicts a scene from Shakespeare's play *Troilus and Cressida*, Act 2, Scene 2. The artwork features Cassandra, a Trojan prophetess, in a dramatic pose as she raises her hand, holding a weapon, against a backdrop of a landscape. Legat’s image captures Cassandra's prophetic pronouncements, which are disregarded, echoing the play's themes of war, fate, and the power of the individual. The work is part of a larger series illustrating Shakespeare's plays. Cassandra Raving is a prime example of how art can bring a literary work to life. The engraving's fine lines and delicate shading convey the intensity and pathos of Cassandra's character.