Helen in Iliad

As Helen said “Have you a favorite mortal man there too?”, she regarded Aphrodite as the embodiment of sexual desire, implying that Aphrodite was trying to use her immortal power of lust to enslave Helen as the sex partner of Paris. Holding the one cardinal idea that she is not supposed to be a sex slave, Helen used her words to punch Aphrodite right in the face, as she replied “Is that why you beckon here beside me now with all the immortal cunning in your heart?” But with the infuriated reply “Don’t provoke me — wretched, headstrong girl! Or in my immortal rage I may just toss you over, hate you as I adore you now…”, Aphrodite had implied that she could either love or hate Helen. More importantly, Aphrodite also noted that if Helen chose to be hated, then Aphrodite as an immortal could use her power to make other people hate Helen, as she said “withering hate from both sides at once… then your fate can tread you down to dust!” This had really left Helen with a great shock, as she could not afford the consequence of being hated by both the immortals and mortals. So as a result, she had no choice but to obey Aphrodite and return to Paris, failing to establish her agency. Bear in mind that Helen was the daughter of Zeus and she got such treatment, it could be even worse for other

In Homer’s epic poem the Iliad, gods and goddesses play an important role in influencing the lives of humans, and Athena is an important part of the war. The goddess Athena is written mostly as a mortal, where she signifies the personification of war. Both sides of the war know that with Athena, they will not lose. This is probably why she is the most significant minor character. Athena is the most significant minor character because she is brave, wise, and she is a warrior. Athena plays a significant role in the unfolding drama, because both the Greeks and the Trojans know that her favor, they cannot be defeated.

In both the Odyssey and Sappho’s Fragment 16, Homer and Sappho speak of and acknowledge Helens beauty. Though, they do so in different ways. In the Odyssey, Homer compares Helen to that of a goddess using Artemis as an example. Although homer describes her beauty in a positive light, he also claims that Helens attractiveness caused the Trojan war and the death and suffering of many. “when all you Achaeans fought at Troy, launching your headlong battles just for my sake, shameless whore that I was”(160). Therefore in the Odyssey, Helen is depicted as an intricate character. In epic poems, this is a trend that can be seen throughout the reading as the writing style goes into greater detail. One can also conclude that Homer tends to focus on the negative and emphasize war.

Anger can always incite irrational actions. The sight of Helen seeking shelter at the altar, causes Aeneas to remember the crimes she committed driving him to furious anger. This anger drives him to contemplate an ignoble and uncharacteristic act of revenge by murdering Helen as she sought protection from the gods. Despite being depicted as a virtuous hero, Aeneas’ strong, visceral reaction to seeing Helen shows that he is subject to the same passionate feelings all humans feel, especially when something raises his anger.

During the first appearance of Helen, she appears to be weaving the suffering of the Trojans. (3.122)

inconsistency in her beliefs. Majorly, nearing the end of her life, she begins to regret all her deeds of which

Helen of Sparta’s portrayals in many different accounts of mythology and history are extremely dissimilar. Helen was said to be the daughter of Zeus and Leda (Queen of Sparta), and was the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta. Helen was abducted by Paris of Troy and when Menelaus came to retrieve Helen, the Trojan war began. In “The Odyssey”, Helen is shown as living happily with Menelaus after he brought her back from Sparta. She is portrayed as an intelligent person who sees things for what they truly are, but is mostly reserved to wifely duties. In “Trojan Women” by Euripides, Helen is shown as a person who was used by the gods as a reward for Paris with nothing else in mind. However, she fights vehemently for her own innocence in the

The Iliad and The Odyssey are tales written by Homer centered on the drama of the Trojan War. First poem deals with the time during the end of the war, while the latter, which occurs roughly ten years later, explains the disastrous journey of Odysseus fighting his way back home. The character of women in the Odyssey is to exhibit the many and diverse roles that women play in the lives of men. These functions vary from characters such as the goddess ' that help them to the nymphs who trick them. Women in the Iliad exhibit their significance in the lives of the ancient Greeks because they are so prominent in a world so dominated with military relations.

Even as his wife Andromache pleads “Pity me, please! Take your stand on the rampart here before you orphan your son and make your wife a widow” (Iliad VI. 511-512) to persuade him to stay at home, he chooses kleos over his family. Hector is described by Helen far differently than she speaks of her own husband.  “But come in, rest on this seat with me, dear brother, you are the one hit hardest by the fighting, Hector, you more than all – and all for me, slut that I am, and this blind mad Paris” (Iliad VI. 421-423).  Helen embraces Hector for his bravery and honor, and asks even that he rest from battle.  Her polar opinion between the two brothers serves as an important facet for dissecting the importance of kleos even within a family. Homer shows Helen’s shame and contempt for her husband as he does nothing to defend her or his home against her love for Hector as he fights so gloriously for Troy.

in what is considered a "greater plan." She is not free to do what she

Yet, if she gives sway to the plea, she is met with rage against her easiness. Sor Juana questions man’s desires, stating that both views cannot be attained, and one must be surrendered as a result.

We only catch a glimpse of Helen in the Odyssey, but Helen in Walcott’s Omeros is

says. Paris, on the other hand, chooses to spend time with Helen rather than fight in the

Throughout history treason has been committed all over the world even extending back to the greeks during the trojan war. Treason is committed for many reasons such as money, fame, political and religious beliefs, fame, and in the case with Helen it was love. Punishment for being found guilty of treason can range from death to imprisonment for no less than 5 years, during the time of the Trojan war if one was found guilty the punishment would most likely be death. Although Helen is under a spell from Aphrodite, she is guilty of treason because during her “abduction” she showed no signs of resistance.

DIRECTOR ANAGNOS: Helen, will never hear or see.  That’s the difference between you and her.  She has no hope.  Do you understand, Anne?.