Myths Made New
By: Magnolia Schulman
My name is Helen. Not “Wife of Menalus”, and certainly not “Helen of Troy”. Helen.
My entire life is told based on men. Men who are nothing but the villain of my story. Though they are viewed as heroes and saviors by others, they are nothing more than pigs (Shoutout to Circe!). Even my name, known as a symbol of beauty, includes “Troy”, the city of my captors. I am my own person, with thoughts, feelings, talents, and should not be remembered solely for the unfair blame heaped on my shoulders for the faults of idiotic men. I am more than a pretty face, and I am more than the imbeciles who have wronged me.
My fate was decided by a contest held for my hand. As if I was such a prize to be won! I sat and watched from above, a 15 year old girl who should have been in school or starting her first job. Instead, I was awaiting my predestined fate with fear and anxiety. They made a promise to each other that they wouldn’t grudge the winner for having me. They treated me like an object. Eventually, Menelaus won. He was the lesser of the evils, certainly, but he tried to “win” me nonetheless, and thus proved his lack of respect for me.
Years later, after I had settled into Sparta, my bedroom window opened one night. I woke, for I had slept lightly since I was kidnapped the first time, and saw a man hovering above my bed. This was, of course, Paris. I tried to scream, but his hand covered my mouth, and he dragged me out of the palace. I was dumped into a boat and felt it as we sailed off.
Now, Paris will tell you I begged and pleaded. I did nothing of the sort. I schemed and planned. I knew there would be war - that was part of the contract created to sustain peace during the competition for my marriage. I wanted the Greeks to win - regardless of my mistreatment, I was still a Greek at heart. I knew the best thing for me to do was to let this happen, so I could be on the inside.
For the ten years of the Trojan War, I was a spy on the inside, bringing plans to the Amazons, who fought alongside the Greeks. They actually respected me. Finally, when I couldn’t take anymore lives lost, Athena came to me with the idea of the Trojan Horse. It was I who shared it with Odyesseus, regardless of what he tells you. I decided my own destiny when it came down to it. Not a man.
I am not “Helen of Troy”. I am Helen.
About the Author
Magnolia is from North Jersey, she loves softball and volleyball, and her favorite color is purple. Magnolia’s writing is inspired by her beliefs and the people around her.
