One of the most famous women in literature, Helen of Troy has been integrated from Greco Roman tradition to Anglo-Saxon culture. Although she “existed” (it’s a myth after all) thousands of years ago she is still a modern symbol representative of womanhood. The notion of a young woman being abducted by a charming prince is not a plea for woman’s rights and their subservient status in history but a tale of treachery. Helen’s undoubting beauty seems to be her only blessing because her self loath is enormous. While there is uncertainty in whether she wanted to go to Troy the Iliad doesn’t paint the picture of her having any choice. She was a prize to Paris and countless times she expresses her yearning to be back in her home in Sparta. The Trojan War and its years of suffering were placed on her and the only person offering her reprise for this burden was Priam. Helen throughout the story does not place this burden on Paris or even the Gods but as herself, a whore. Her beauty was powerful enough to start a war against men and slaughter thousands but not powerful enough to give Helen strength. Out of all the blood and power thirsty men and petty Gods, Helen the center of it all diminishes and disappears to the back. Helen is just the first of many tales of the weakness and deceit that feminine beauty can bring and that image is repeated over and over in history. So with this in mind, why is beauty still so desirable?
Helen and her glory
