The Trojan women - Assignment Example

The Trojan women Trojan women are a literary work that shows the ancient lifestyle and socio-political beliefs of the Greek society. Most of the experiences portrayed by various characters in the Trojan women perpetuate the long standing stereotypes that have lived with man to date. It is important to note that the entire piece revolves around the dialogue between Poseidon and Athena that is focused on executing punishment too the Greek over their destruction of the city. One central character that offers an insight into a better understanding of this work is Paris.

He is also known as “Alexander” and son of Priam and Hecuba and also brother of Hector (Euripides, et al.34-7). His brave abduction of the beautiful Helen, wife of Menelaus, sparked off the Trojan War .“…..Athens was a city ostensibly at peace but feverishly preparing a massive military expedition to far-off Sicily, a war of choice whose purpose……” (Euripides, et al pg. 4). Paris is self-centered person and portrays significant egocentrism and often unmanly. He fights effectively with a bow and arrow and never with the more manly sword or spear but rather often lacks the spirit of going to the battle and prefers to sit in his room making love to Helen while others fight for him.

This rare romantic indulgence by a man during war earns Paris scorn from both Hector and Helen. Paris is significant in the storyline since his craving desire and eventual sexual relationship with Helen is the cause of the war and surrounding conflicting political interests in troy. He finally died from the same war he contributed in its flare up and his wife was later married by his brother Deiphobus (Euripides, et al.34-7). Paris represents the stereotype that historical prophesies hold as his marriage to Helen went in line with the earlier Aphrodite, the Goddess of love.

The moral lesson that can be learnt from this case humility and chastity which Paris lacked and led to a series of bloody atrocities as indicated by Trojan womenWork CitedEuripides, , Alan Shapiro, and Peter Burian. Trojan Women. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2009. Internet resource