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Homer's Helen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2009

F. J. Groten Jr
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Extract

In view of the prominence given to different versions of the Helen legend in Greek literature, it is not out of place to look once more at Homer's presentation of Helen. For a fresh analysis may serve to explain more fully the way in which the tradition developed out of the subtle characterization that Homer had created in the Iliad and Odyssey. Homer describes Helen partly by introducing her directly into the action and letting her speak on the scene, partly by recording remarks and opinions about her, and partly by drawing contrasts with other characters.

Type
Research Article
Information
Greece & Rome , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , April 1968 , pp. 33 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © The Classical Association 1968

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References

page 33 note 1 Nestor and Menelaus' meaning has been the subject of much discussion (cf. the scholion, to Il. ii. 356Google Scholar ; also Voglar, F., Die Helenasage in der griechischen Dichtung [Marburg, 1914], 9Google Scholar , Gerlach, L., ‘Die Einheit der Ilias’, Philologus 33 [1874], 197Google Scholar , and Tronquart, G., ‘L' Hélèna d'Homère’, Bull. del' Ass. Budé, Suppl., Lettres d'HumanitéGoogle Scholar

page 34 note 1 Cf. Finley, M. I., The World of Odysseus (New York, 1954), 141.Google Scholar

page 35 note 1 Only in this scene of the Homeric epics does Helen act without scruples as she deceitfully tries to lure the Greeks from their hiding-place and capitalize upon the information which she had previously received from the spying Odysseus (iv. 256). The episode foreshadows the unfavourable treatments of Helen which are prevalent in later Greek literature, especially in Euripides. With this exception I can find no evidence for characterizing Helen as ‘wanton, self-centred, deceitful, bewitching, and beguiling,’ as is done in a recent article by Ryan, G. J., ‘Helen in Homer’, CJ 61 (1965), 115–17Google Scholar . Again and again Ryan finds Helen's words insincere and dishonest or at best conceited where there is scarcely a hint of such an attitude.

page 35 note 2 For further comment see Voglar, , op. cit. 10Google Scholar , Buttmann, P., Lexilogus, trans, by Fishlake, J. R. (London, 1846), 441Google Scholar , and Engelmann, R., s.v. ‘Helena’Google Scholar , in Roscher, , Lexicon vol. 1, 2. coll. 1928–9.Google Scholar

page 36 note 1 This scene has been treated at length by Reckford, K. J., ‘Helen in the Iliad’, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies 5 (1964), 14–20.Google Scholar

page 36 note 2 Although Homer does not mention Menelaus' absence in either the Iliad or Odyssey, it is not unlikely that he followed this version which occurs in the Cypria (Proclus). When Penelope describes her fear of a stranger, she compares herself to Helen, who she implies was also alone and without a husband (Od. xxiii. 218–24)Google Scholar . Likewise cf. Iliad xiii. 627.Google Scholar

page 37 note 1 For the role of Paris in the Iliad see Decker, F., Die griechische Helena im Mythos und Epos (Magdeburg, 1894), 16–17Google Scholar , and Owen, E. T., The Story of the Iliad (London, 1947), 35.Google Scholar

page 38 note 1 For comments on this scene see Tronquart, , op. cit., 38–9.Google Scholar

page 38 note 2 Jaeger, W., Paideia: the Ideals of Greek Culture, trans, by Highet, G., (New York, 1945), i. 23.Google Scholar

page 38 note 3 For a different interpretation of Helen's character see Anderson, S., ‘Calypso and Elysium’, CJ 54 (1958), 4.Google Scholar