Helen

Helen is the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. Promised by Aphrodite to Paris for his judgment, she was rescued by Hermes and supernaturally transported to Egypt, while a phantom-image was given to Paris. Helen was assured she would return to Sparta and that Menelaus should know she did not elope to Troy. Protected in Egypt by King Proteus, Helen has taken refuge at his tomb after his death, as his son Theoclymenus now wishes to marry her. At the play's outset, she laments her misfortunes. When the Greek Teucer brings news that Menelaus is reported dead, Helen initially believes it. However, after consulting Theonoe, a prophetess and sister to Theoclymenus, she learns Menelaus is alive and will arrive in Egypt. Upon her return, she finds Menelaus, who cannot initially believe she is really in Egypt, having wandered with her phantom-image for seven years. Once a servant confirms the phantom-image has vanished into the skies, Helen and Menelaus share their separate stories and convince Theonoe to keep their presence a secret from Theoclymenus. Together, they devise a plan to escape by having Menelaus report his own death to Theoclymenus. Helen, agreeing to marry the young king, requests to perform burial rites at sea for the "deceased" Menelaus, allowing their escape. Helen is a romantic figure who embodies charm, wit, self-importance, and self-pity, all mingled with loveliness and virtue.

Menelaus

Menelaus, the king of Sparta, finds himself shipwrecked on the Egyptian coast. He conceals his men and the phantom-image of Helen, venturing forth in search of assistance. Appearing in shabby attire, he encounters mistreatment as a beggar by the portress at Theoclymenus's house. She informs him of Helen's presence and her master's enmity towards Greeks. Upon meeting Helen, Menelaus learns the truth of her phantom replacement by the gods, and the couple reconciles, seeking Theonoe's aid. In his plea, Menelaus adopts the "miles gloriosus" role, showcasing bravado, rhetoric, and self-congratulation. Despite making several futile escape suggestions, he ultimately adopts Helen's plan and executes his part with courage. His character reveals a mix of bravado and resourcefulness emerging from the trials he faces.

Theoclymenus

Theoclymenus, the king of Egypt, is depicted as a pious and kind-hearted man, whose love for Helen compels him to seek her as his wife, despite his father's oath to protect her. Driven by a distrust of Greeks, fearing they might steal Helen, he eagerly accepts reports of Menelaus's death and is overjoyed by Helen's apparent readiness to marry him. Deceived by Helen and Menelaus’s ruse, he permits Helen to conduct burial rites for Menelaus at sea, unknowingly facilitating their escape. His character illustrates the vulnerability of a man torn between duty and desire, ultimately swayed by divine intervention.

Theonoe

Theonoe, a prophetess and sister to Theoclymenus, holds the fate of Menelaus in balance. Helen consults her offstage and discovers that Menelaus is indeed alive. Theonoe's dramatic entrance reveals her as a figure of authority and decisive power. Listening to Helen and Menelaus, she resolves to favor Menelaus, driven by her sense of piety and self-respect. Her decision underscores her role as a wise and morally upright figure, pivotal in shaping the narrative's outcome.

Castor

Castor, alongside his twin brother Polydeuces, appears at the play's conclusion. The twin brothers intervene to prevent Theoclymenus from pursuing Helen and to shield Theonoe from his wrath. Their presence affirms their role as protectors, maintaining justice and familial loyalty.

Polydeuces

Polydeuces, with his twin brother Castor, helps to ensure Helen's safety and Theonoe's protection from Theoclymenus's potential retribution. Their intervention signifies divine protection and the reinforcement of familial bonds at the...