Thursday, August 16, 2018

Iliad III what is helens bueaty?


Shot forth to view, a scaly serpent sees,

Trembling and pale, he starts with wild affright

And all confused precipitates his flight:

So from the king the shining warrior flies,

And plunged amid the thickest Trojans lies.

As godlike Hector sees the prince retreat,

He thus upbraids him with a generous heat:

"Unhappy Paris! but to women brave!111

So fairly form'd, and only to deceive!

[pg 053]

Oh, hadst thou died when first thou saw'st the light,

Or died at least before thy nuptial rite!

A better fate than vainly thus to boast,

And fly, the scandal of thy Trojan host.

Gods! how the scornful Greeks exult to see

Their fears of danger undeceived in thee!

Thy figure promised with a martial air,

But ill thy soul supplies a form so fair.

In former days, in all thy gallant pride,

When thy tall ships triumphant stemm'd the tide,

When Greece beheld thy painted canvas flow,

And crowds stood wondering at the passing show,

Say, was it thus, with such a baffled mien,

You met the approaches of the Spartan queen,

Thus from her realm convey'd the beauteous prize,

And both her warlike lords outshined in Helen's eyes?

This deed, thy foes' delight, thy own disgrace,

 

n     Helen represents the beauty that is Greece, Paris not the war like aggamenon won the right to ca;; their actions beautifully greek.  Although militant and capable of ordered display the Greeks of Menelaus are savage and warlike, less civil than the Trojans.  So kidnapping Helen  is proving yourself more Greek and thusly beautiful by acting more Greek and civilized.
 
Whom ever is more civilized in a situation is the more beautiful greek and blessed by helen the spirit that represents Grece's civilized grace and beauty.

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