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Without Helen would the Iliad exist? - Online Essays

Without Helen would the Iliad exist?

Without Helen would the Iliad exist? Although, some see Helen as a minor character in the Iliad, her character is quite complex. Throughout the Epic Helen is described as independent, valuable, respected, vulnerable, humble, abhorred, loved, and most of all the most beautiful woman in the world. As beautiful, as history claims her to be, it is hard to believe that one woman could be responsible for so much damage.

Helen's father knew that Helen's beauty would cause tragedy. He wanted to marry her off to someone, so that her husband could protect her from men who wanted to take her. Her beauty was well known by all. As a young girl it is told that because of her beauty she ...

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because Paris could not help himself. His very desire for Helen is made clear in the end of book 3, when he wants to be intimate with her even though the battle was raging. Hector also implies this when he berates Paris as he trembles at the sight of Menelaus. Hector calls Paris desperate, and a womanizer. According to Lombardos translation, Hector blames the destruction of Troy on Paris’ indiscretions, by taking Helen and causing all these men to chase after her. He seems to mock Paris. Why would this beautiful woman want you, she could have who ever she wants. Her beauty makes men do things they normally would not do. So with that thought in mind, Helen knows she is beautiful. It may be that Helen used her beauty to seduce men, but this is never made clear about that either. When at the Scaean Gate, refers to herself as a “whore.” “If that life was ever real. I’m such a whore.” It is implied that Helen was feeling guilty about her role in the fight between ...

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Without Helen would the Iliad exist?. (2011, March 17). Retrieved January 3, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Without-Helen-would-the-Iliad-exist/96260

"Without Helen would the Iliad exist?." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 17 Mar. 2011. Web. 3 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Without-Helen-would-the-Iliad-exist/96260>

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/17/2011 06:52:21 PM
Submitted By: nychan1991
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 987
Pages: 4

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