'Helen' by H.D.
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All Greece hates
the still eyes in the white face,
the lustre of the olives
where she stands,
and the white hands.
All Greece reviles
the wan face when she smiles,
hating it deeper still
when it grows wan and white,
remembering past enchantments
and past ills.
Greece sees unmoved,
God's daughter, born of love,
the beauty of cool feet
and slenderest knees,
could love indeed the maid,
only if she were laid,
white ash amid funeral cypresses.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigma of Helen by H.D.
When one thinks of the Trojan War, the first name that comes to mind is not Menelaus but Helen. The face that launched a thousand ships. The woman who left her husband and caused a decade-long war. But who was Helen? What were her motivations? Why did she leave her husband and children to be with Paris? These are questions that have fascinated writers and poets for centuries. One of the most intriguing interpretations of Helen comes from the modernist poet H.D. in her poem simply titled "Helen". In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the enigma of Helen as presented in H.D.'s poem.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let us first read the poem in its entirety:
All Greece hates
the still eyes in the white face,
the lustre as of olives
where she stands,
and the white hands.
All Greece reviles
the wan face when she smiles,
hating it deeper still
when it grows wan and white,
remembering past enchantments
and past ills.
Greece sees, unmoved,
God's daughter, born of love,
the beauty of cool feet
and slenderest knees,
bathed in the odorous blue;
and Greece her name,
flower-like, sly footed,
drawn darkly through a still,
aching, age-long feud,
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a specific focus. In the first stanza, H.D. describes Helen's physical appearance in detail. In the second stanza, she describes how Greece, as a whole, views Helen. In the third stanza, H.D. shifts to a more personal perspective, describing how Helen is viewed by the gods. Finally, in the fourth stanza, H.D. gives us a glimpse into the mythological history of Helen and the Trojan War.
The Physical Appearance of Helen
Let us start with the first stanza. H.D.'s description of Helen's physical appearance is both vivid and haunting. The still eyes in the white face, the lustre as of olives, the white hands - these are all details that create a portrait of a woman who is both beautiful and eerie. The use of olives to describe the lustre in her face is particularly striking. Olives are a common symbol of peace, but here they are used to describe a woman who is the cause of war. The white hands are a symbol of purity, but they also suggest an emptiness, a lack of emotion. Helen is not just a woman, she is a symbol, a mystery to be deciphered.
The View of Greece
In the second stanza, H.D. shifts to the perspective of Greece as a whole. Greece hates Helen, but not just because she caused the Trojan War. They hate her smile, her past enchantments, and past ills. The implication here is that Helen has a history, a past that is shrouded in mystery. What were these past enchantments and past ills? We are not told, but we can imagine that they were not pleasant. Helen is seen as a woman who causes pain and misery, not just for her husband Menelaus but for all of Greece.
The View of the Gods
In the third stanza, H.D. shifts to the perspective of the gods. We are told that Helen is "God's daughter, born of love". This is a reference to the mythological story of Helen's birth. According to some versions of the myth, Helen is not the daughter of Zeus but the daughter of Nemesis, the goddess of revenge. This would suggest that Helen was born not out of love but out of a desire for vengeance. However, H.D. chooses to emphasize the love aspect. Perhaps she is suggesting that even a woman born out of revenge can be loved.
The Mythological History
Finally, in the fourth stanza, H.D. gives us a glimpse into the mythological history of Helen and the Trojan War. We are told that Helen is "flower-like, sly footed, drawn darkly through a still, aching, age-long feud". The phrase "flower-like" suggests fragility and beauty, while "sly footed" suggests cunning and deceit. Helen is a paradox, a woman who is both beautiful and dangerous. The phrase "drawn darkly through a still, aching, age-long feud" suggests that Helen is not just a participant in the Trojan War but a victim of it. She is drawn into a conflict that has been raging for generations, a conflict that she has no control over.
Interpretation
So what does H.D.'s poem tell us about Helen? Firstly, it tells us that Helen is a woman who is both beautiful and mysterious. Her physical appearance is haunting, and her past is shrouded in mystery. Secondly, it tells us that Helen is a woman who causes pain and misery. Greece hates her, and she is seen as the cause of the Trojan War. Thirdly, it tells us that Helen is a woman who is loved by the gods. She is born out of love, not vengeance. Finally, it tells us that Helen is a victim of the Trojan War. She is drawn into a conflict that she has no control over.
Conclusion
H.D.'s poem "Helen" is a powerful interpretation of one of the most enigmatic figures in Greek mythology. Through her use of vivid imagery and haunting language, H.D. creates a portrait of a woman who is both beautiful and dangerous, loved and hated, victim and cause. The poem raises more questions than it answers, but this is part of its power. Helen remains an enigma, a mystery that continues to fascinate us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Helen by H.D.: An Analysis of the Classic Poem
Helen, the classic poem by H.D., is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the mythological figure of Helen of Troy. In this poem, H.D. presents a unique perspective on Helen, portraying her as a complex and multifaceted character rather than a one-dimensional symbol of beauty and desire. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and evocative language, H.D. creates a powerful and thought-provoking portrait of one of the most iconic figures in Western literature.
The poem begins with a description of Helen's beauty, which is presented as both a blessing and a curse. H.D. writes, "All Greece hates / the still eyes in the white face, / the lustre as of olives / where she stands, / and the white hands." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing Helen as a figure of both admiration and envy. Her beauty is both a source of fascination and a cause for resentment, as those around her are unable to resist her charms.
As the poem progresses, H.D. delves deeper into Helen's character, exploring the various facets of her personality. She portrays Helen as a woman who is both powerful and vulnerable, capable of inspiring both love and hatred in those around her. She writes, "She has seen this city / in its own ashes, / she has seen men kill / each other, / she knows / their minds." This passage highlights Helen's knowledge and understanding of the world around her, as well as her ability to empathize with others.
H.D. also uses powerful symbolism throughout the poem to convey deeper meanings and themes. For example, she compares Helen to a ship, writing, "She has sailed away / in ships as frail as a cobweb, / she has left behind / the walls of her father's house." This metaphorical comparison highlights Helen's journey through life, as well as her vulnerability and fragility in the face of the world's dangers.
Another powerful symbol used in the poem is the image of fire. H.D. writes, "She has seen the smoke / and the flames / of burning Troy." This image of destruction and chaos serves as a reminder of the consequences of Helen's actions, as well as the destructive power of desire and passion.
Throughout the poem, H.D. also uses evocative language to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. She writes, "She has seen the strong men / die and the women and children / taken by the victors." This passage is particularly powerful, as it conveys the horror and tragedy of war in a few short lines. H.D.'s use of language is both poetic and precise, creating a sense of urgency and immediacy that draws the reader in.
In conclusion, Helen by H.D. is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the mythological figure of Helen of Troy in a unique and compelling way. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and evocative language, H.D. creates a portrait of Helen that is both complex and multifaceted. She portrays Helen as a woman who is both powerful and vulnerable, capable of inspiring both love and hatred in those around her. Overall, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of myth and the human experience, and it continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.
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