Essay Questions

Why is Helen more reviled than Paris in the story of Troy?

In the novel, Helen is portrayed as being more reviled than Paris because she is depicted as a symbol of the destruction and chaos caused by the war. The fact that she chose to leave her husband for Paris and to go with him to Troy is seen as a direct catalyst for the conflict, making her a more prominent target of blame and resentment. On the other hand, Paris is depicted more as a seducer and thief, while Helen is viewed as the root cause of the war.

How does Helen use her beauty, and how do others treat her because of it? Is her beauty a blessing or a curse?

In the novel, Helen's beauty is portrayed as both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, her beauty is what attracts Paris to her, which leads to the events of the Trojan War. On the other hand, her beauty is also the source of her power, as it gives her the ability to sway others and to influence events. However, because of her beauty and the events it triggers, Helen is also subjected to mistreatment and misogyny. The other characters in the novel view her as an object to be claimed and fought over, rather than as a person with agency and feelings of her own. Her beauty becomes a source of shame and a burden, as she is blamed for the war and the destruction it causes. Overall, the novel portrays Helen's beauty as both a blessing and a curse and shows how societal expectations and gender norms can shape the way people treat and view women.

Penelope has little sympathy for Circe and Calypso, but were they also just women protecting themselves?

Penelope is portrayed as having little sympathy for Circe and Calypso, two other women who play significant roles in the story. While Penelope is depicted as being a loyal wife who remains faithful to her husband throughout his long absence, Circe and Calypso are depicted as using their powers and their beauty to try and keep men captive. However, it can be argued that like Penelope, Circe and Calypso were also just women trying to protect themselves. Circe, who is a powerful sorceress, uses her powers to keep men captive as a form of self-defense against a world that she perceives as hostile and dangerous. Calypso, who is a nymph, also uses her beauty and powers to try and keep Odysseus with her, as she fears being alone and losing the only companion she has. Thus, while Penelope may not have sympathy for them, it can be argued that Circe and Calypso were also just trying to survive in a world that was hostile to women, and that they were using the limited means available to them to protect themselves.