The sea in the euripidean tragedy Helen is a recurring topos from the beginning of the play. The heroine has arrived in Egypt, kidnapped by Hermes due to Hera’s request, while her image has reached Troy by sea and has become the main cause of the Trojan War. Menelaus, on the other hand, breaks into the dramatic action as a shipwrecked man after seven years drifting and his intention is to come back together with his wife through the sea once the reconnaissance is made. The Greek captives also bring to light a variety of nautical imagery, mainly in the third στάσιμον where they urge the spouses for a pleasant and successful trip back to Greece (προπεμπτικόν). Hence, it may clarify how in this tragedy the sea, both as a dangerous place and as the unique way of salvation for the heroes, is established as the main element in the geographical context of the dramatic action
The registered version of this article, first published in "Euphrosyne, 50 (2022), pp. 21-41", is available online at the publisher's website: https://doi.org/10.1484/J.EUPHR.5.132011
Notas adicionales
La versión registrada de este artículo, publicado por primera vez en "Euphrosyne, 50 (2022), pp. 21-41", está disponible en línea en el sitio web del editor: https://doi.org/10.1484/J.EUPHR.5.132011
