'Women are deceptive and should not be trusted in the Odyssey.' How far do you agree?

Helen, the wife of Menelaus, is one of the most untrustworthy women in the Odyssey because she leaves her husband Menelaus for the Trojan prince Paris. Furthermore, having deserted her husband, she tries to get the Greeks in the Trojan horse (led by Odysseus) to reveal themselves by impersonating the voices of their wives. Another example of Helen's untrustworthiness is when she slips a drug into Menealus', Telemachus' and Peisistratus' drinks to stop them weeping. This is another display of her disloyalty and deception in general.

DM
Answered by Darius M. Classical Civilisation tutor

3075 Views

See similar Classical Civilisation A Level tutors

Related Classical Civilisation A Level answers

All answers ▸

To what extent does the Ara Pacis Augustae convey similar messages to those of the Prima Porta statue of Augustus?


'Rich in narrative'. To which red figure vases you have studied does this best apply?


'Odysseus is only motivated by his desire to return home'. How far do you agree with this view?


• ‘Plutarch’s biography of Alexander shows a greater understanding of the wider issues than Arrian’s more detailed history’. How far do you agree? Refer to both Arrian and Plutarch.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning