helen-of-troy.

rtf 4/2/07 1:45 PM

dylan roscover | ap lang 3rd | 2 mar 2007

Essay on Helen of Troy

It becomes apparent at first glance that these poems look nothing alike.
Though both poets speak of Helen of Troy, Poe begins his first line comparing
her beauty with a "perfumed sea," whilst Doolittle engages his first in Greece's
stunning hatrid toward her. From the beginning to the end of each, between
glory and ill, "Holy-land" and "funeral cypresses," Poe composes an
unexpectedly pleasant point of view, while Doolittle views this beauty, Helen, in
a far more mecobre light.
The most noticeable distinction between these pieces is of course diction.
Poe chooses lengthy, drawn-out natural nouns to describe Helen, comparing her
to exotic shores, flower-like hair, and fresh air. he spares no expense in painting
a picture of pleasantness and tranquility, inviting the reader to come along and
experience this brilliant beauty. just as Helen has "brought (him) home to the
glory (of) Greece and the grandeur (of) Rome." Doolittle, on the other hand,
seemingly presents a warning message to the reader, as if implying "beware of
this mass deception." With words of great subtlty, Doolittle tip-toes across his
language, observing how though Helen may be "God's daughter" with "cool feet"
and "slender" knees," she'd be better off dead.
This builds great suspense and awe in the reader's eyes: unlike Poe, who
just expounds what's on his mind, Doolittle reserves himself till the end to
unleash his full hatred for the beauty. Even Poe begins his piece openly and
directly: "Helen, thy..." Doolittle instead hints at "eyes in the white face," never
once using her name in his poem. Furthermore, Poe is very proper and
considerate of his subject, indenting his pretty lines all neatly and even
addressing the title of his poem, "To Helen," quite unlike Doolittle, who seems
too caught up in contempt to care about any of that petty, insignificant rubbish.

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