Helen of Troy

"Helen of Troy" by Andrew Lang is a poem that retells the classic story of Helen, known far and wide for her unparalleled beauty, and the events that sparked the Trojan War. The poem uses lots of descriptive language to paint a picture of love, strong desires, and the terrible things that can happen when gods and people make rash decisions. It starts with Paris arriving at King Menelaus's palace, where he's treated as an honored guest. Soon, Paris makes it known that he's there to win Helen's love, claiming the goddess Aphrodite is on his side. Helen is shown as a striking woman whose beauty may bring disaster, foreshadowing tough times ahead. The narrative builds suspense as Helen finds herself drawn by both destiny and love, which will lead her away from her ordinary life and toward a tragic future.