Helen – Mirror of Desires, Projection Fire

Helen, for her part, does not resist; she attracts. Recognized as “the most beautiful woman in the world,” she is abducted by Paris, prince of Troy—or follows him, depending on the version. Her departure triggers the war. But she is neither guilty, nor entirely free. She is, above all, the pretext. It is upon her that blame, fantasy, and conflict are projected. She is the mirror of the tensions accumulated between kings, cities, and interests. Helen does not say much in the Iliad. But she embodies everything that men do not want to confront directly.