The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships Quote
The phrase “the face that launched a thousand ships” is a well-known quote from Christopher Marlowe’s play “Doctor Faustus”. The quote refers to Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world whose abduction by Paris, a Trojan prince, led to the Trojan War. The phrase has become a metaphor for a woman’s beauty and the power it holds over men.
The Myth of Helen of Troy
In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, the wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta. She was renowned for her beauty and many suitors sought her hand in marriage. Eventually, she was won by Menelaus, the king of Mycenae, and they lived together in Sparta.
However, Paris, a prince of Troy, was promised the most beautiful woman in the world by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as a reward for choosing her as the most beautiful goddess in a contest. Paris set sail to Sparta and seduced Helen, taking her back to Troy with him.
The Trojan War
Menelaus was outraged by the abduction of his wife and called upon his brother, Agamemnon, to help him retrieve her. Together with an army of Greek warriors, they sailed to Troy to wage war against the Trojans.
The war lasted for ten years and was filled with heroic battles and tragic deaths. Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks, was killed by Paris with an arrow to his heel. Hector, the prince of Troy, was killed by Achilles in revenge for the death of his friend, Patroclus.
Finally, the Greeks devised a plan to end the war. They built a giant wooden horse and left it outside the gates of Troy as a gift. The Trojans, thinking it was a peace offering, brought the horse inside the city walls. However, it was filled with Greek soldiers who emerged at night and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army to enter. Troy was sacked and burned, and Helen was returned to Menelaus.
The Legacy of Helen of Troy
The story of Helen of Troy has been retold countless times in literature, art, and film. She has become a symbol of beauty, desire, and the power of love. The phrase “the face that launched a thousand ships” has entered the lexicon as a way of describing a woman’s beauty and its effect on men.
However, the myth of Helen of Troy has also been criticized for portraying women as objects of desire and for glorifying war and violence. Some modern retellings of the story have sought to give Helen a more active role and to explore the motivations of the characters beyond their desire for beauty and power.
Conclusion
The face that launched a thousand ships quote may be a famous line from a play, but it has its roots in one of the most enduring myths of Western civilization. Helen of Troy, with her unparalleled beauty and the power it held over men, has captured the imaginations of generations of readers and viewers. Whether we view her as a passive victim or an active participant in her own story, her legacy continues to fascinate and inspire.
