A review by adaora_ble
Helen by Euripides

challenging emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I try to judge ancient plays on a different scale because I'm A) from a different time, place and culture than the target audience and B) I'm reading a play that I'm supposed to be watching which definitely changes how we interpret it but also there are Greek Tragedies that I really love and find really good and well written. This is not one of them. Sorry to Euripides but not his best work in my opinion although he does a good job of highlighting the danger Helen is in every time she leaves her tomb sanctuary.

Also besides from just the actual play itself, I'm just not a fan of this version of the story where Helen was never in Troy to begin with. Sure it makes the tragedies more tragic and the gods come off quite badly fr to k this side of history making so many people fight and die for a decade because of a name but also I think (kidnapped) Helen being in Troy is also tragic, only this time tragic for just her. And if we're going by the runway Helen version, why let her off scott free from a war she caused or at least partially.
So yeah not a fan of this one, he's done better but this was definitely above Trojan Women which I also don't like.
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