#helen of troy

pov: you’re Paris and you must choose

Agamemnonby Aiskhylos (tr. Anne Carson)

Text ID:

Helen who brought ruin to Troy instead of a dowry.

The events of the chapter includes an image of Menelaus sending ambassadors to get his wife’s return. These men as well as all the warlords of Greece are known to Helen because they bid for her hand. It is a moment of pure stupidity on the part of Priam and shows a complete lack of awareness. The only thing he gets right is his not blaming Helen for the war but the gods. Their interference is to blame. This whole thing would have ended without Aphrodite’s actions in the beginning and at the fight with Paris and Menelaus. Reminds me yet again why I’ve never been a fan of hers.

So many opportunities to stop the death, but fate demands that it continue. Menelaus should have been given Helen. He wasn’t.

I find it sad that when Helen looks at the warriors of Greece she doesn’t know that the reason she doesn’t see her brothers is that they have died.

Following the gathering the image is of silent Greeks marching towards shouting Trojans. The image is of glorious wars, but is interrupted by the boasting act of Paris. His paper tiger facade fails a soon as he sees Menelaus.

The disappointment and disgust of Hector is palpable. What is interesting to me though is Paris’s response to his brother’s condemnation. His statement is essentially, I am what I am because the gods made me this way. It is not my fault and I understand that you must hate me for it. Later he admits the same to Helen of his nature. His self-awareness is fascinating to me. 

Especially given the response of Menelaus who is a good person. He has been ‘injured’ and will move for peace.

Juxtapose the men with Helen’s self-awareness now that this death and chaos is her fault. I think she was horrified by the old men’s talk of glorifying of a war over her and the beauty of the war. She believes that she would be better off dead. It is obvious that she wants to return to Greece or die but the interference of Aphrodite after Paris is injured shows the survival instinct in a human when threatened.

underrated quote

“You would never forgive yourself if you were to choose me.”

Odysseus to Helen

Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller