Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Black Ships Before Troy - part I

Read pages 1-39 of Black Ships Before Troy and answer the following question by Friday, December 2nd.  Respond to my question using evidence from the novel first, and then respond to at least one other person's commentary.  The goal is to develop a thoughtful conversation among your classmates.
Question:  On page 27, the old men murmur among themselves that it would be a fine thing for Troy if Helen were to go back to her first lord and her own people.  Considering the events of the novel so far, from the "Golden Apple" to "The Women of Troy", is it best if Helen returns to her people? (Make sure to use evidence from the novel to support your answer.)

105 comments:

Jack Craig said...

One of my thoughts on this book was that the history before the actualwas very interesting, and i enjoyed the fact that the author put it in unlike many other stories. I, also thought that the fight for the Golden Apple was very cheesy and stupid. I think it would have been better if the goddesses simply recognized the fact that they all had their own strengths. They are gods after all, who are supposed to be perfect. Paris was also very stupid when he choose beauty over power and wealth or wisdom, (he could have aquired a beautiful woman if he was powerful and wealthy, and if he was wise, he would have seen that Oenone was beautiful and could heal him aswell). When Paris went to Sparta to take Helen, he was very reckelss and ignorant. He did not think of the consequences that would precede. When Menalaus got angry, it was his right, and I don't think his actions were reckless, because Paris took his wife, and left him with a baby. And even though Paris, Helen, or Menalaus didn't know, Troy is truely screwed because of Athena's deviant revenge. Since she cursed Troy ( They will lose the war.
Bam! the story is preety much told, now comes the epicness of Achilles and Ajax and Hector.
Jack Craig

matt white said...

Jack, I agree with all of what you said, however, I feel that you could have answered the question better. all you said was that Troy would be screwed because of athenas defiant revenge. Next time Jack, try to answer the question being asked instad of just stating your opoinion.
Matthew white

Melissa said...

I thought that while this book was interesting, there were many things that characters did that were somewhat stupid. For example, the goddesses should not need to fight over the apple because they are goddesses so they are all equally beautiful. Also, Paris should not have given Aphrodite the apple because it was clear that it would cause an argument. Paris should have left Oenone either. It was a very careless idea for paris to leave with Helen, and he should not have pressured her to go with him. Also, I think that Aphrodite should not be so insistent on keeping her promise and should just focus on ending the war so everyone will be happy. Menalaus has every right to be upset that his wife was stolen, but i don't think it makes sense to start a huge war over one woman. I mean, there have to other pretty girls too. overall, I think that too many people and goddesses are tangled up in the war for it end well.
Melissa Requisr

Logan Sankey said...

I think that the best thing Helen could do in that situation would be to go back to her original people. That way, the war would be ended and less people killed. She belongs with them anyway, considering she has a kid and a husband there already. It seems like that would solve everyone’s problems as well. Paris would be able to go back to being with Oenone, Menalaus would have his wife back, Athena wouldn't have to destroy Troy, Aphrodite wouldn't need to fulfill her promise to Paris, and both armies could lay off each other. However, all this could have been avoided if Paris had just refused to choose between the three goddesses because it would cause tension. Aphrodite wouldn't have promised Paris anything and he would never have taken Helen away. It seems the only way things could work out is if Helen went back to her people because that would allow for things to become the most normal. However I think that everyone is too absorbed in what they want for themselves to realize the consequences that will result from all the junk that’s going on.
Logan Sankey

Logan Sankey said...

Neither Jack or Melissa answered the question so I'm not really sure what to say, but I agreed with what they said in their posts. I like what Melissa said about Aphrodite not being so uptight about her promise. I mean, she tried right? It's time for her to realize both of the parties she's trying to help would be better of if she backed off.
Logan Sankey

Melissa said...

Okay since apparently I didn't answser the question all the way I think that Helen should stay in Troy because the past is the past and if she were to go back to Menelaus now, he wouldn't trust her an her people would all be angry at her. By staying in Troy, she escapes all of that disgrace and Menelaus is shore to be able to find another wife in his hometown.
Melissa Requist

Melissa said...

Logan-
I understand your point, but do you really think that the people would welcome Helen back? No, she left them. She betrayed them. Why would they trust her again? they wouldn't they'd treat her differently and whe feel like she was trapped in her own home. There is no way her life will ever be the same there, so I think she should stay in Troy.
Melissa Requist

Lark Skov said...

I think that Helen Should go back to her first lord and her baby. When she went with Paris I don't think she realized what she was doing and now realizes that she would rather be with Menalaus and her baby. After Paris' and Manalaus' battle she saw that Menalaus fought really hard to win her back but Paris was a coward who cared more about his life than keeping her. The only reason Helen stayed with Paris after the battle was because Aphordite made her love Paris more. I think that Helen would rather go back because if not she will regret it for the rest of her life. Also, I think the fighting would have stopped if she went back with Menalaus because the Trojans would have no reason to fight and I don't thing that the Greeks would want to fight for Paris who is a coward and doesn't love Helen as much as their enemy.
Lark

Lark Skov said...

Logan,
I agree with what you say about Helen going back with Menalaus. You really saw a lot more problems being solved than I did. For example, Oenone would be happy to be back with Paris and that Athena wont destroy Troy. However, you said that it all started when he choose who should be the owner of the golden apple but more so when he decided to take helen with him because he could have taken Helen without the help of Aphordite. I think that he is just full of stupid decisions because first of all he choose to take the promise of a beautiful woman and not wisdom or power or wealth and second, he stole a princess!!!!!! I think it is so pointless that there is a whole war because of Helen!
Lark

Anonymous said...

According to the story Helen should go back to her people because if she did the war would be over and all the people could go back to living in peace. I think this because in the chapter ‘The Women of Troy’ it shows how the wives were sad because their husbands were in danger fighting and there was the possibility that they would not come back when there could be no war at all if Helen were to go back to her people. It shows this on page 38 when Hector’s wife is crying and begging him to stay and not go back to the war because he might not return. In that chapter it shows how many people, especially women were hoping that Helen would go home so that their families would be reunited because they were expecting that if Helen were to leave the armies were to go back home and there would be peace again. So, that is why I think that the story shows that it would be better if Helen were to go back to her people.
By Nikki K ☺

Anonymous said...

Dear Melissa,
This is my response to the second answer that you put to the question.
I think that although what you said makes since there would be a lot of bloodshed that would not be necessary if Helen were to return to her people. People would be killed and families would be separated. If Helen were to go back she would not be believed or liked very much, but people would respect her because saved many lives. Also I feel that she basically deserved being hated because it is because of her leaving her country with a man that was NOT her husband that the whole war is happening don’t you think?
Lots of love,
Nikki ☺

Anonymous said...

Based on the events in the story, Helen should go back to her people.In the story, it stated that if she would have done so, her people and town would be safe and there would be no war, therefor peace. The wives in this story were crying and dreadful because they thought they might never see their husband again because they were going off to war. Also, if she would have gone back to fer people, way less people would have died, and everything would be at piece.Overall, I think that it was very selfish of Helen to leave her people, and not go back even when she knew there was going to be a war over her.

Anonymous said...

that last comment was by MATTHEW WHITE. sorry i didn't put my name
Matthew White

Anonymous said...

I think that Aphrodite is dumb. She couldn't have just let Helen do what she wanted, especially when the war already started. All the goddesses were being silly, they're goddesses and they need other people to tell them that they are cool? They are stinking goddesses and they acted like teenage girls. Paris was also being unwise when he took Helen for his wife, I mean what did he think was going to happen. Also, Athene is not very wise when she holds a grude on an entire army just because of one guy. I think this whole thing wouldn't have happened if everyone wasn't so self sentered. HElen should totally go back to Troy, it would save thousands of lives. If only Aphrodite would let her.

Tess Richey

Jack Starkey said...

I think that Helen should leave Paris and return to Menelaus. First, this would end the war. Although the people and Menelaus will not trust her because she ran off with Paris, the war would end and I think the people would manage to forgive her. Helen also has a husband and when your married, you cant break your agreement you made with the person you married. She has to come back and devorce him, or stick it out to the end. She has a kid as well so you cant just abandon it forever. Even though Helen doesnt know it, she isn't really in love with Paris so that gives her even more of a reason to go back but since Aphrodite used magic on her then she doesn't know what shes doing. Lastly, before Aphrodite used her magic, Helen watched Menelaus fight to win her back and I think that proved that she loves him more than Paris.
Jack Starklesworth

Anonymous said...

LOGAN~

Yeah, Helen should totally go back to her own people and I guess that they would welcome her back if they're fighting an entire war JUST to get her back. I do not think that Paris would be able to go back to Oenone, if I was her, I wouldn't let him come within shouting distance of me. He just left based on some story that there was a really pretty lady somewhere. Yes, everyone is WAY too absorbed in what they want for anything to work out.

TESS RICHEY

Anonymous said...

I think that so far the best thing for everyone is for Helen to return to her own people. That way everyone can go home happy. At the same time I think all this could have been stopped in the first place. If Paris just chose wisdom or wealth and power in the first place, because if he chose wisdom he would be smart enough to get wealthy and once he is wealthy he could have power; also if he chose power and wealth he would most likely be able to get partially wise, but of course he chose beauty and that led to the situation they are in now. That is why I said that if Helen went back to her own people everything would be better, except for Paris because he just lost his promised woman, and Aphrodite would be upset because she just lost the war. Also I think because the Greeks have two great goddesses on their side and the Trojans only have the goddess of love. So the Trojans are pretty much screwed and Helen is basically bound to go back to her own people, husband, and children. So I think Helen should go back to her own people sooner than later to spare bloodshed.
Grant Andrews

Jack Starkey said...

Mellisa,
I have to disagree with your comment. If Helen were to stay in Troy, the war would still be going on and many more people would die. Although going back to Menelaus would mean him and the people might not trust her, she still would have ended the war and the people would have found a way to forgive her. She also has a kid and she cant just abandon it can she?
Jack Starklesworth

Grant A said...

Starklesworth
I completely agree with what you wrote, but I don’t think that will happen because Aphrodite has her magic on Helen and I don’t think she would give up so fast. Although that might be able to happen, if someone has the sense in them to figure out that the Trojans are about to get destroyed, everything might get back to normal. Also, like you said, I think that both Paris and Helen will be forgiven eventually by their spouses. So overall I agree with you and I think Troy is screwed in any way.
Grant Andrews

Anna Skubiz :) said...

I think it would be best for Helen to go back to her first lord and her child. She wasnt thinking straight when she left with Paris. She probably didnt know how much Menalaus cared, or atleast was upset she was gone. Paris only ended with Heln because or Aphrodite making her love him more. Helen leaving is the whole reason for this war anyways. Paris already has someone he loves, it was stupid of him to be so selfich and ask for love when he already had it. Helen should just go back to her husband and baby.

Anna Skubiz :) said...

Logan,
I agree with you. Paris never should have chosen between the goddesses. That was the thing that caused him to leave Oenone in the first place, and he never would have taken Helen away from her husband and baby. If helen when back to her people then this whole thing could be evened out and no one would be at war with another. Plus knowing that Menalaus would go to war to get Helen back should be enough of a reason for her to understand her people, husband, and baby need her

Anonymous said...

well once i had a turtle. and then it became a big turtle!

Anonymous said...

I think it is best if Helen does return to her people. To me, this would be the best for everyone. All Paris is doing by keeping her is spending the lives of his men and the men of Greek. Even Helen wants to go back to her people and knows it is best if she does, but unluckily for her Aphrodite manipulated her to stay. I think that Paris is a prissy little boy that gets whatever he wants. To me it is amazing how one kid can get whatever he wants to aquire. If Helen was to go back to her people it would end a ton of bloodshed and death.
JV

Logan Sankey said...

Larkie!
So apparently I didn't comment on an answer to the question so.... I agree with Larkie because I totally think that Paris is a coward. I also think he's extreamly selfish. And I think that Helen was definitely not thinking clearly when she chose to go wiht Paris, because Menalaus could offer her more that Paris could anyway.
Logan Sankey

Anonymous said...

Jack Craig
I feel like you didn't adress the question enough. you basicaly just summarized the Whole book. maybe you should write another post answering the question.

Will Firestone

Anonymous said...

Unicorns will fly out tomorrow.

Chaning Conner said...

I think it is best if Helen returned to her people because if she doesn't Troy would just get killed because everybody is against them. Plus Paris already had somebody he loved and Helen is too good for him. I also though that Paris should've picked somebody else because he had sombody he loved.
Channing C

Peter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Peter said...

I think Paris is just a stupid greedy jerk. Same as the high king. They just want the best girls, and don't care about anything else. That is why I hope that later in the book, they both die. Even though I sort of know the story, and I don't think that they will. But I still hope the story magically changes, and they die.
~Peter R.~

Sydney B said...

I think it would be best for both cities if Helen went back to her original city with Melenus because they were her people and her baby is there. She wants to go back too, but Aphodite is holding her back to keep her promise to Paris. It would end both the wars and no cities would be destroyed if Helen went back. The only issue though with this idea is that greedy Paris might invade the Greeks and steal Helen again. If she went back Athene wouldn't need to destroy the Trojans because she is against Aphodite.
Sydney B.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, I think that it definetly would be beneficial for both countries if Helen would go home. She is the reason that this whole war is raging, and the reason that hundreds of men have been dying. If Aphrodite hadn't pulled Paris from the battle with Menelaus, this whole war would have been over and no more bloodshed would happen. Even the men murmur that even though she was a woman worth fighting for, they also state that it would be better for Troy if she was returned to her king. And Paris a sissy pretty boy that can't stand up for himself.

Anonymous said...

That last comment was Connor Frasier

Anonymous said...

I believe that Helen should not go back to Sparta because then there would not be a war, and then you couldn't hear about Achilles owning butt. Also, I don't think that Athena or Aphordite would let the war just end like that. I'm pretty sure that they would figure out some way to continue the fighting somehow. I also think that it is better if the Gods let the people fight their battles because if they fight, then they like kill everyone on the earth rather than only a couple thousand people dieing.
Charlie Harrington

Anonymous said...

Jack C,
your comment is very good only you don't address the question. I can see you worked hard on your response because it is long and good, but I would recomend writing another refuring to the question.
Scott.

Anonymous said...

I think that it would better if Helen went back to her people. She even started to have regret over her choice near the end of the chapter. It wasn't even her true choice to go with Paris in the first place. Aphrodite influenced her. She could end the war if she just went back.
Jake Crouch

Anonymous said...

Dear Jack
I think that you could've answered the question much more thoroughly. Alothough you did a great job on desribing what you thought of the story the question has yet to be answered.I do agree with you about what you thought the goddeses should have done, but the question still needes to be answered.

Anonymous said...

I think it is best if Helen goes back to Sparta, becausse many wars have been caused by Helen being in Troy. When Paris took Helen from Sparta, he did not think abot the concequences that would follow this dessision. Because of this decition, Menalaus started a war to get Helen back. I think that Helen should just decide to go back to Sparta, because that would stop the war and would make it so less people would die. She did try once, but then Aphordite put her under "a spell" that made her come back to Paris. Paris should just let Helen go, to stop the war.

Nolan Sankey

Channing Conner said...

Lark
I agree with you that Helen wasnt thinking when she left. And she saw that Paris was a weakiling.

Jack Craig said...

Alright, since my first comment was apperently the worst comment ever since I didn't answer the question, I will rewrite it.
I think that it would be good and bad if Helen were to go back to Sparta with Menalaus. If she were to go back, she would be one of three things. She would be put in a cage forever, she would be abused and beaten, or she would become a slave and be killed. The reason I say this is because so far the story has describe Menalaus as a proud and angry man, so I don't think that Helen would be easily forgiven. Also, the war would probably end, and Hector and all the men of Troy would not be killed in the siege. However, if Helen stays In Troy with Paris, she would be much more respected in Troy, as she already is acceepted into the Trojan society. She is already treated like a queen of Troy, and in Troy she has love and safety (for the meanwhile). Unfortunatly, Troy is already destined to lose because Athena cured the Trojans, so if I were Helen, I would try to run away with Paris< (even though Paris is a cocky, wimpy coward). All in all, I would have never listed to the smooth-talk of Paris, so wouldn't be tempted, too bad that she did, because she practically started the war, and it is her and Paris's falut that so many have died, and it is their fault for the deaths to come.

Jack Craig said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Charlie H. said...

Jack Craig,
I agree and disagree with your comment. I agree that it would be bad if she went back, but I don't fell that she would have been beaten or anything like that, or why would they be fighting for her. They wouldn't kill tons of people just to make her a slave. You're right when you said that the king is a very proud man, so I think that he would want her to be his wife again so that he could be even prouder.

Charlie Harrington

Anonymous said...

JV

I agree with you. Paris gets everything he wants. he should jusst let helen go back to the Spartans, and there would be less blood spilled. There are 100's to1000's of people fighting for one woman to stay in Troy. On top of that Helen does not even want to stay, but Aprodite put her under a spell. Helen returning is best for everyone.

Anonymous said...

By Nolan Sankey

Anonymous said...

I think that the Paris should have not chosen who got the Golden Apple. Now that Aphrodite is so devoted to keeping her promise a war has broken out and he stole a King's wife. I think it would be better if Helen left Troy and went back to her people and husband. That way the war would end and Paris would still have Oenone. In this situation I think everyone is over reacting and all the whil poor Oenone is probably heart-broken.
-Gillian Cook

Anonymous said...

Melissa,
I totally agree with you comment. I agree that Paris shouln't have left Oenone and the goddesses should not fight over a golden apple. Also that Aphrodite should focus on stopping the war and seeing that her promise is what caused it.
-Gillian

Anonymous said...

I think that it is best if Helen returns to her land. In the text, it says "the old men murmured among themselves that there had been no shame at all this while infighting for a fair lady, but that now it would be a fine thing for Troy if she were to go back with her first lord and her own people." Helen also weeps about how shameless she was and how she brought sorrow among every one. If Helen went back to her own land, the war would end and less people would be killed. I she stayed in Troy, the war would go on until one side won. I agree that Paris is not wise and that he is selfish. It was Paris' selfishness that pulled everyone into this mess. Helen should go back to her land also, because she has a child and a husband still ruling there.
Sydney Shelton

Anonymous said...

Gillian,
When writing my resonse to the question, I did not think of Oenone. You are right where you say he will still have her if Helen leaves Troy. She truly loves him, and although he left her, Oenone will come back for him.
Sydney Shelton

patrick dillon said...

I agree with you Nolan but even if Paris did give her a choice between him or Menelaus she does have some emotions for Paris. Before Paris took her back to Troy he did ask her if she wanted to come with him. And because she fell in love with him she said yes. She probably loves her husband, Menelaus, more but still she does have some thoughts about Paris.

Sydney B said...

Anna S,
I think you are totally right! If Helen went back she would be dishonored and her child might hate her now since it has been a while since she left. Paris is a greedy selfish guy, and doesn't deserve Helen. The only reason she is still there with him is that Aphrodite is making her because of her promise to Paris. I agree that Helen should go back to her first husband and baby so then the war will be stopped.

Anonymous said...

I think that Helen shouldn't have even gone with Paris in the first place. She should have stayed with her first husband and Paris should have stayed with Oenone. Now in the book I think it would be best if Helen returned home. Paris deserves to be left behind after all he started. If Helen did return home though, the people of Troy might try to get her back and then crate another war. At least if Helen went home though this war would end, so she really should.
Julia Wong

Anonymous said...

Dear Gillian,
I totally agree with you. I also feel very bad for Oenone. I think Paris should just go back to her. Paris should have never decided who got the golden apple, like you said. It was the cause of the war and everything else that has come with it. I think Helen just needs to go home and end the war too.
Julia Wong

Anonymous said...

I think that if Athene, Hera, and Aphrodite didn't ask paris to decide who should have the apple the war over Helen would have never started because Paris would have just stayed with Oenone and never found out about Helen. I think that if none of that had happened Helen would have stayed with Meneules and none of this would have ever happened. If Helen went back to her originol people thet the war would have had absolutely no point. So basicly the godesses arguing stirred up a lot of conflict.
Mea Fisher

Anonymous said...

Sydney Shelton.
I agree with you when you said paris was being selfish baut i also think that the golden apple is what started everything out not Paris' selfishness.I also agree with you when you said the war would be over if Helen returned to her people.
Mea Fisher

Anonymous said...

Personally I think hat Hellen should just Ditch both sides because if she stays with Paris, Manalaus will keep attacking and if she goes back to Manalaus, then paris will get all mad and probably attack him. And because he war has been going on for like nine years I think that they would keep fighting until she wouldn't have either one of them anyway.
Kelly Ryan

Anonymous said...

Dear Charlie,
I think that even if Hellen went back to Sparta that Paris would attack them and the war s would just keep going on and on and on.
Kelly Ryan

Anonymous said...

I think it would be better for all if Helen did go back to her people. This would please the Spartans and possibly end the war. It would let all the men go back to their families on both sides. It is apperent that the men grow wery of the long wait. Though Aphrodite would never let that happen so I geuss the war will go on until one of the sides deals a fatal blow to the other.

Anonymous said...

The last one was by Cole G. by the way.

Anonymous said...

Dear Julia Wong,
I agree that Helen should never have gone with Paris. It was a stupid choice when her first husband was probably better anyway. Paris seems like a jerk that doesn't care for anyone but himself. She should have left him long ago and gone back to her peolpe. Its not like it would be that hard they were sitting right outside the city. she just had to get up and walk out and the already long war would be over.

Cole Gibbs

Anonymous said...

Very true Connor. Like I said, the whole war is being controlled by the gods. Paris basicly ran from a fight and should lose for that reason.
Jake Crouch

Anonymous said...

I think that Helen should go back to Sparta for many reasons. First of all, there wouldn't have to be a huge war and no one would have to die. Also,it really isn't that necessary for Helen to be with Paris, sure she was forced to be with Menalaus but it even said that she didn't hate him. Even if Hellen lived a mediocre life, it's far better thanhundreds of soldiers dying in the battle field. The one thing that could be bad is what Aphrodite would do if Helen left. Who knows, she could curse Sparta forever. Almost everything would be better if Hellen returned to her first husband.
NICK SIMON

Connor F said...

JV,
I completely agree with you. Paris has no right to keep Helen in Troy, even if he has Aphrodite on his side. If she wants to go home, then what gives him the right to keep her from doing so? If she were to leave then countless lives would be saved and this whole war would be ended. Your statement that Paris is just a prissy boy that gets whatever he wants for no apparent reason is probably the most reasonable thing I've read in all these response put together.
Connor Frasier

Anonymous said...

Cole,
I agree with what you said. It makes a lot more sense if Hellen returns to sparta. I do wonder what would happen with the prophecy if Troy wasn't destroyed...
NICK SIMON

Anonymous said...

I think that Helen should stay with the Trojians because Paris is her true love. It says that he's young and she fell in love with him right away. When she left in the first place, she made her decision and I don't think she should go back on it. Also, like Aphrodite said, she would get a lot of hate for leaving in the first place. I don't think that she should have left in the first place, especially because she has a baby, but since she did I think that at this point she needs to stay and follow through. In addition to that, it makes a more exciting story for her to stay. If she went back now, the war would be over and it would just be like a 40 page book. So, she should stay.
-Margaret L.

Anonymous said...

Nick, I agree that having all those people die is really bad, but like you said we don't know what Aphrodite would do. It could make things even worse if Helen went back. I just think that she shouldn't have left in the first place but since she did, she should stay. At this point in the story, I think it would be bad for her to go back. The war would be over, but then so would the story. Also, since everyone would hate her because of Aphrodite, she might get killed, which would not be good either.
-Margaret L.

Anonymous said...

yes and no, it would be good for helen to return home to her original lord, but it is also good that Helen stayed with Paris. If she went home, then the boats and the war would be called off, and many lives would be spared. whereas if she stayed with Paris, then she is happy, because she does not like her original husband, and she likes Paris. Maybe it would be best if she just left and went somewhere totally irrelevant, that way she is happier, and the war would be called off, also it would be better because both kings are treating her more like a prize to be won, and not a human.
Rylan Russell

Anonymous said...

Nick,
I agree with you, but I also disagree with you. if Helenn returns to Sparta, then the war would be called off, and many lives would be spared. whereas if she stays with Paris, she would be happy, and Aphrodite wouldn't freak out.
Rylan R...

Anonymous said...

I think that helen should not go back to her homeland. The war has already started pretty much. Her husband would be really mad and try to attack the trojans anyway. And because she fell in love with paris like Aphrodite had promised i think she will stay.
Will firestone

Anonymous said...

SO far I have really enjoyed this book, it has a bunch of greek mythology in it and I really enjoy greek mythology. I believe that Helen should go back with Menelaus for one reason and believe she should stay in Troy for another reason. I believe Helen should return because if she returns to Sparta the war will end and countless lives would be saved. On the other hand though I think she should stay in Troy because if she leaves the quarrel among Hera, Athene, and Aphrodite would greatly increase, wich might lead to a bigger more devestaing fight between the gods. So overall I don't quite know for sure, but i'm anxious to see how this novel plys out.

Anonymous said...

Will McConnell wrote that last comment.

Anonymous said...

Kelly
I totally agree with you, she just needs "dump" both of them and walk away. Unfortanatly though if she did that Menelaus and Paris would probably just keep fighting, and then Aphrodite would get all mad because she didn't keep her promise. Then a chain reaction would start and everything would just start to go wrong. So although I like your idea overall I don't 100% agree with you.
Will McConnell

erik summers said...

Based on the events of the novel so far, I think it would be a good thing if Helen returns to her people. I think this because the plot of the book revolves around a war going on because Paris sort of kidnapped Helen. I think if she leaves Paris and goes back to Menelaus then maybe he will call of his attack force and end the war. Of course the downside is that if she leaves Paris then she he might get angry and demand Menelaus to giver her back. Well, I guess there's really no way to win here haha GOOD LUCK HELEN
Erik Summers

erik summers said...

Kelly, I agree with your theory that pretty much wherever Helen goes it's a lose-lose situation, but i think that if she ditches both then both of them will get super mad at her for not choosing him, and then it'll all go...downhill from there. Although I agree with your theory, there's probably an even better one out there that nobody's thought of thouhg. Good job though!
Erik Summers

Anonymous said...

I think that helen should go back to her husband because that is her rightful place. Also there doesn't need to be a war over a woman that was "stolen" from her home and husband by a man(Paris)who was bribed by a godess to give her a golden apple. Why was the golden apple so important and why couldn,t they make one of their own, they're GODESSES!

Anonymous said...

Jack Craig,
you have a good answer, but it is kind of hard to understand(and you gave the ending away). I agree one what you said about Paris he was quick to make a choice. Next time you should try to answer the question more directly and not so much your opinion.

Bryan Gilbertson

Anonymous said...

I think that this book is a little hard to follow. But through all the wonders, i figured it would be best for troy if Hellen stayed, because Troy would just spend its whole life trying to get her back. Also if Hellen went back, both sides would be mad, which would cause even more fighting. Both sides would feel betrayed by the woman. Both would think violence is the only answer. The men that murmured among themselves said that it would be fine if Hellen Went back to her own people, but I think that opinion would change. They are not thinking enough about what would happen!

Joe DeLine

Anonymous said...

Helen should go back to Menelaus. They would obviously welcome her back , they are fighting over her! If that guy just chose one of the other goddesses, none of this would have happened.I agree with Jack when he says the fight over the golden apple was cheesy. However, Helen should defiantly go home.
Scotty B.

Anonymous said...

Logan, I like your comment, but i kinda disagree. I think that if Hellen went back to her own people, she would cause more war and more killing. This is because Troy would want her back. then both sides would feel left alone from the woman. Man! Its the same back then too! women cause all kinds of problems! =)

Joe DeLine

Anonymous said...

I think it's best if Helen stays at Troy. If Helen were to return, yes the fighting would stop, but there's nothing saying they would fight again. If she were to return, Paris would probably just go and try to get her back. If anything, it would move the war. If the war moved, Troy would be at a disadvantage, since they haven't seen the terrain of the new battlefield.

Tyler H.

Anonymous said...

Joe,

Your answer really brought my brain into new thinking, and I eventually came to the same conclusion. The response allowed me to actually go back and review the chapters again. Definitely one of the best answer I've seen that I agree with.

Tyler H.

Anonymous said...

I think it was a terrible idea for Helen to return to King Menelaus in Sparta. If she did, Aphrodite would become angry because it would mean that she didn't keep her promise of a beautiful woman (more beautiful than the wood nymph Oenone) to Paris. First of all, Paris would not be happy and he would probably try to get Helen back from King Menelaus, which would start another war. Another thing is that Aphrodite would be extremely angry and all the gods would laugh at her (especially Athene and Hera). She might get so angry that the gods would start a war of there own. I think a lot of people would agree that a war of the gods is way worse than a war between Troy and Sparta, or in other words, mortals. Lastly, if you think about it, if Paris had chosen Hera's offer of wealth or Athene's offer of wisdom, he could have easily gotten a beautiful woman to marry. If he had done that, he would not have had to steal Helen from King Menelaus, thus not starting a war. So I think that it would be stupid for Helen to return to King Menelaus, and that she should stay with Paris in Troy.
-Andrew McCawley

Anonymous said...

Dear Mea,
I agree with you when you said that it was stupid for Athene, Hera, and Aphrodite to ask Paris to give one of them the apple. If this apple thing never happpened, than there would be no war and no death of hundreds of soliders. Anyway, gods are supposed to be "perfect" and it would be better if all three of them celebrated there differences and how they all have different qualities.
-Andrew McCawley

Channing Conner said...

Andrew
I agree with Andrew because if Helen went back Aphrodite wouldn't make her promise, and the other gods who didn't get the golden apple. They will know she didn't fulfill her promise and they might do something to her because they knew they would have fulfilled the promise.
Channing C

Surina Techarukpong said...

I think that it would be wise for Helen to retuen with Menelaus. But, at the same time if she didn't return that would also be wise. If she returned home because then the war would end. Aphrodite really caused this whole problem with granting Paris a wish. Also, if she were to return home she would be with her first husband and her beloved child. Aphrodite would then be breaking her promise which would lead to greater havoc. Either way I believe that she was breaking her promise. By Paris' standards Aphrodite is the most beautiful woman/god so Paris should get her. Overall, the wisesat choice in my opinion is for Helen to go back home with Menelaus.


Surina Techarukpong

Surina Techarukpong said...

Margaret,

I agree with you completely. I think that it would be smart for her to do as she said but, what about her baby and King Menelaus back home? There is also already so much tension and destruction in the war that it would be pointless to turn back now. Part of me wants her to stay, and the other part doesn't want her to. Good point abou't the short story though. That made it obvious what had to happen.

Surina Techarukpong

Anonymous said...

I think no, it would not be best if Helen returns to her people. I thinks this because her own people are already came mad at her for her leaving with Paris and she would make the people of Troy angry too if she left them. I know this because the book says, "When Menelaus returned and found his queen had fled with the Trojan prince, the black grief and red rage upon him." That shows her first people were mad. But when Aphrodite says to Helen, “Be sure the love (of Paris) I have shown you does not turn to hate.” it shows if Helen left than Paris and his people would be angry too. So, to sum it all up, I believe that Helen should stay with Paris and the people of Troy because it will cause as much distress. Aphrodite also says "It would be no hard thing to turn the hearts of the Greeks as well as the Trojans against you."

Meg A. 7th

Anonymous said...

Dear Surina,
You do make an good agreement that she should return back to Menalaus but I also agree that is would create havoc if she did. So if she stays with Paris, Aphrodite well have kept her promise.
-Meg

Jack Craig said...

To Surina,
I agree with when you say that the reason the whole war started is because Aphrodite gave Paris a wish, but I Think that you didn't support your answers when you said that it would be good if Helen were to go back, and then you said that it wouldn't be good, and then you said That it would be good without saying why, so that left me kind of confused

Anonymous said...

I think it would of been best for Helen to go back to her own people. It would have stopped the war and a lot less people would have died. She also has her family there, and it would have made many other things a lot simpler. There were a lot of desicions made by people that led to the war, Helen should of stayed with her people.
JACKSON e

Anonymous said...

Surina,
I agree with you on how both ways would of had there pros and cons. There is evidence in the story that shows that both ways would of probably had equal effects, but I disagree on how you said that just Aphrodite caused all of this. I think it was Paris and Aphrodites fault.
Jaxon ernst

Anonymous said...

I thought this book was a very interesting myth. I also thought it had some stupid parts about it, such as the women fighting about the Golden Apple. I thought that it would be good for Helen to go back to Troy biceause they are her people and the only reason Helen ran off with Paris is because Aphrodite made her do so. I think the gods and goddesses should not meddle with people's lives. The only reason Aphrodite is giving Helen to Paris is because he gave her the apple, so Aphrodite is sure to give Helen to him.

Maura Glynn

Anonymous said...

Charlie H,
I do not agree with you at all. I get the part about wanting to hear about Achilles, but it isn't really a good thing to have a war. It destroys people and families. I think that it would have been a good thing to end the war easily.

Maura Glynn

Esther DelliQuadri said...

I think that it was a dumb idea for Helen to leave her own people but the book suggests that she is very happy with Paris. It also says that she regrets leaving her baby.

Esther DelliQuadri said...

Nikki,
I totally agree that Helen should go back to her people because the war would be over and in the end everyone would be happy because not as man men and other people would be dead etc.

Anonymous said...

I agree because if she went back to her people they would stop fighting.Aphrodite might feel foolish, but people would stop fighting and dieing. Also Paris was being stupid when he went to Sparta and took Helen. He should have known that the Spartans would have felt insulted and come after her.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you completely Anna. Helen should never have left Menalaus.

Anonymous said...

Question.2

I think that Achilles is both strong and weak, he is very strong wile out in battle, like when he was fighting Hector he was using everything and all the strength he had, and he won. He is also sometimes not as strong as he could be, and is weak. Achilles is weak when he realizes that Patroclus is dead, he feels weak and frail after knowing that someone who was like a brother to him died. you can tell this, because when Achilles is told of Patroclus' death he "flung himself facedown beside the hearth-fire, and threw ashes and dust over the brightness of his hair." If Achilles is going to survive this battle he will have to become stronger than he is.

Nolan Sankey

Anonymous said...

I think that it would have been for the better for everybody for Helen to return to her original people. The biggest reason would be that there would never have been the war in the first place. It could all have been stopped before Paris even met Helen. He could have just said it was a toe between the three goddesses.
MAX

Anonymous said...

Jack Craig- I think that you should have answered the question more directly. I do agree on what you said and you made some very good points.
Max Gambino

Lindy Pittman said...

I believe it would not have been better for Helen to go back because Menelaus would have killed and then Paris would have gotten angry again and attacked the Greeks. Also there would have been a lot of resentment between the two nations for many years since so many people had already died in the war.

Lindy Pittman said...

Gillian,
I do not agree with you since Oenone probably wouldn't accept Paris after he left her. Also Menelaus would most likely either abuse or kill Helen which would make the Trojans mad.

Lindy Pittman said...

Gillian,
I do not agree with you since Oenone probably wouldn't accept Paris after he left her. Also Menelaus would most likely either abuse or kill Helen which would make the Trojans mad.

Raleigh Darcy said...

Yes and no because Helen liked Paris but it wasn't worth causing a war in which thousands of people would die. The only options that Helen has to help the situation are to talk it out with Sparta and try to stop the war or to end by going back to Sparta. Although Paris was very stupid her husband could have found another woman in Sparta. The fight for the golden apple was stupid the goddesses should have noticed that they had strengths.

Raleigh Darcy said...

I agree with JV Helen should have gone back to her people and she would if she could. That would have ended the war, made both sides happy and saved thousands of lives.

Anonymous said...

I copy and pasted these from before because you couldn't see them. they are down there on time.

Helen should go back to Menelaus. They would obviously welcome her back , they are fighting over her! If that guy just chose one of the other goddesses, none of this would have happened.I agree with Jack when he says the fight over the golden apple was cheesy. However, Helen should defiantly go home.
Scotty B.

And

Jack C,
your comment is very good only you don't address the question. I can see you worked hard on your response because it is long and good, but I would recomend writing another refuring to the question.
Scott.

Anonymous said...

*up there on time