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   akannan Teacher
   Middle School

   eNotes Editor

   The root of the challenges between the Greeks and the Trojans involves the actions of Paris, a Trojan, and Helen, wife of the Greek Menelaus and sister in law of the aggressive Greek king Agamemnon.  After dining and enjoying the hospitality of Menelaus, Paris romances and abducts his wife and some of the Greek king's money in the still of morning, with no one noticing.  The conflict between desire and duty leads Paris to embrace desire in his action.  This is considered to be a very serious breach of hospitality and a direct attack to the honor of Menelaus.  The collision of values between upholding one's honor and avoiding conflict leads Menelaus to place his honor above all.  An insulted Menelaus joins with Agamemnon, who is skilled at stoking his brother's sense of insult, in the waging of war against the Greeks.  While Menelaus fights for his his honor, Agamemnon sees the opportunity to expand Greek interests into the highly prized and protected world of Troy.  Using his brother's predicament, Agamemnon assembles an army to start the war of the Greeks against the Trojans.

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   Posted by akannan on Saturday August 15, 2009 at 11:27 AM