Show Notes
THE STORY: (37 minutes) This episode has it all! A kinky story about an amorous swan, a disturbing story about a butchered horse, a cautionary story about a foolish husband, and a too-familiar story about a corrupt politician. And in the midst of all the stories, well, Helen of Sparta moves to Troy.
THE COMMENTARY: HELEN OF TROY - DAMSEL IN DISTRESS or FEMME FATALE? (26 minutes; begins at 37:00) Helen of Troy is one of the most complex and enigmatic characters in all of fiction (or in all of fact - which just adds to the complexity!). As you know, Helen left her life in Sparta to travel to the city of Troy with Paris. But what caused Helen to leave? Well, that continues to be the subject of considerable debate. In this episode of post-story commentary I review five conflicting “takes” on Helen’s motivations. I note that each culture down through the ages has ascribed to Helen motivations which are deeply reflective of that particular culture’s attitudes towards women, the family, and sexuality. And I caution that each culture tends to create an explanation for Helen's actions that the culture "needs to hear". The five “takes” on Helen that I discuss include: Helen the Homewrecker; Helen the Damsel in Distress; Helen the Femme Fatale; Helen the Survivor; and Helen: Pawn of the Gods. I make a case for each, then share with you the version of Helen I personally find most compelling. And I invite you to disagree with me! Have fun! Jeff
RELATED IMAGES
RELATED POEMS
LEDA AND THE SWAN, WB Yeats (best 14 sentence sonnet summary of the Trojan War Epic EVER!!!)PDF
HELEN OF TROY DOES COUNTERTOP DANCING, Margaret Atwood (one of my favourite poetic "takes" on Helen) PDF
RELATED SONGS
More from TROJAN WAR: THE PODCAST
Odyssey: The Podcast picks up right where Trojan War: The Podcast leaves off: with the city of Troy a smoldering ruin, and Odysseus staring out across the wine-dark sea, readying to guide his surviving 600 soldiers back home to Ithaka. The fourteen episodes of Odyssey: The Podcast follow the identical format of Trojan War: The Podcast--an entertaining story (this time grounded in Homer's Odyssey) followed by Post Chapter Commentaries. Your storyteller and traveling companion, Jeff Wright, remains the same!
ODYSSEY: THE PODCAST - my 14 episode, 24 hour sequel to Trojan War: The Podcast - is now recorded and waiting for you. Subscribe through your usual podcast provider, or go to odysseythepodcast.com! THE STORY: (40 minutes) Zeus, King of the Gods, hosts a wedding. An uninvited guest crashes, bringing an unwelcome gift. In mere moments, all Hades breaks loose. And the wheels of Western culture’s most awesome epic - the Trojan War - are set in motion.
THE STORY: (54 minutes) A queen is visited by a terrifying nightmare. Priests discern what the nightmare means. And a king is faced with a soul-wrenching dilemma: “do I kill my child, or allow my city to burn?” And the king’s decision …? Well, you’ll have to listen in to see how that turns out.
THE STORY: (38 minutes) A miraculous child survives not only the homicidal raging of an angry demi-god, but also an icy immersion in a magic river and the venomous bite of a deadly snake. Then the child turns two, and his real adventures begin.
THE STORY: (30 minutes) Hermes, the messenger god, locates a “highly qualified” judge for a beauty contest between three powerful, vain and vindictive goddesses. One of the goddesses is cruising to what appears to be certain victory, until her competitors propose a “twist” on the contest rules. And our judge – a boy you already know – is suddenly confronted with a choice: political power, military glory, or some smokin' hot … But you'll have to tune in, if you want to find out exactly what happens.