“Helen”, a poem by 20th century American poet H. D. who moved to England in the early 1900s, is a dramatic interpretation of Greece’s hatred towards Helen. Experiencing both world wars during her lifetime it is safe to say H. D. did not like the idea of war and she reflects this in her poem. Helen was the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology. Originally Helen was Queen of Sparta and married to King Menelaus. She was later taken by, or fled with (which happened is still a subject of debate) Paris, King of Troy, and the two eloped. Helen’s betrayal towards her husband and the Greeks led to anger and animosity between the Spartans and Trojans, which led to the Trojan War. By abandoning King Menelaus for Paris, Helen is deemed responsible for the entire Trojan War which in turn meant the death of her husband Paris, Paris’ first wife Oenone, and many other Greeks and Trojans. H. D.’s poem begins with “All Greece hates”, immediately portraying to the reader that Helen is the most hated woman by the ancient Greeks because, not just a lot of Greeks hate her but all Greeks. The poem describes Greece’s hatred and revulsion for Helen and her still, pale, beautiful features making it apparent this hatred is very strong. H. D. ends her poem claiming that the Greek people would only love Helen “if she were laid, / white ash amid funereal cypresses” meaning only if she were dead.

Helen
By H. D. (Hilda Doolittle)

All Greece hates
the still eyes in the white face,

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 funereal cypresses.