How Is Helen of Troy Treated by Her Peers

Homework Questions, 1/20/11

Helen has been treated by men, especially her husbands, with great respect. This is evident when Priam, king of Troy, addresses Helen and also when Paris addresses her later. It was common in the time period of Troy, for most women to have little to no rights. However, in book 3, king Priam addresses Helen with great honor and much respect.

Come over here, dear child. Sit in front of me, so you can see your husband of long ago, your kinsmen and your people. I don't blame you. I hold the gods to blame. They are the ones who brought this war upon me, devastating war against the Achaeans. (Iliad 3.196-201)

Priam talks to Helen as if she was a goddess. He is evidently caring by using kind words such as "dear child". However, the most surprising phrase king Priam says is, "I don't blame you. I hold the gods to blame." Helen is commonly referred to as the "the face that launched a thousand ships." But in these phrases, Priam holds the Gods to blame, not Helen. Although, what king Priam is saying may not be true, it is soothing words for a woman who has, literally, launched a thousand ships.

However, the Gods, especially Aphrodite in particular, do not treat Helen with any respect. This is also evidenced in book 3.

Don't provoke me -- wretched, headstrong girl!

Or in my immortal rage I may just toss you over,

hate you as I adore you now -- with a vengeance.

I might make you the butt of hard, withering hate

from both sides at once, Trojans and Achaeans--

then your fate can tead you down to dust! (Iliad 3.480-485)

This is obviously a very different tone from when king Priam addressed her. Instead of "dear child", we now have,