Beauty
The poem "Helen’’ has as its main theme the idea of beauty. The narrator analyzes in this poem the aftermath of Helen’s betrayal and then her return to Troy. The poem is told from the perspective of the people, who look at Helen as despising her and hate her for what she had brought upon them. Her beauty and charm are described as being threatening and impersonal while also the being the cause for the troubles caused. Women are thus portrayed here as being dangerous while men are seen as being fools for falling into the traps set by beautiful women. The poem also portrays women in a negative manner, as seducers who are capable to bring down a whole country with their beauty.
The desire to get married
The poem "Cassandra’’ has as its main theme the idea of marriage and how much women desire to get married and have someone to spend their lives with. The woman in the poem, Cassandra, was blessed with the gift of seeing the future while also being cursed with having no one to believe her. Because of this, she was considered a mad woman all her life and was unable to find someone to spend her life with. Cassandra addresses the God of marriage, Hymen, and asks him to help her find someone to spend her life with. Cassandra talks of marriage and love as being something negative but despite this she still claims she wants to find someone to spend her life with. Her desire is so burning, she is willing to accept anyone who may be interested as her husband, even if that meant settling for someone who may be below her. The female character is not named in the poem, thus letting the impression that this is a desire felt by every woman and is something universal.
Cities
The main theme in the poem "Cities’’ is the way in which big cities affect the individuality of a person. The narrator is quick to point out how most of the crowded places look the same and how because of this the vast majority of the population is unable to see the beauty in the world. Apart from affecting the environment, the overcrowded natures of many cities affect the people as well to the point where every person looks and behaves the same. Thus, the main theme focuses on showing how cities affect the way humans live and the way they are affected by living in close proximity to one another.
