comparison essay (trojan war ; helen)
... wrong place at the wrong time. The poems “To Helen” and “Helen” describe Helen from two opposing view. The tone of both poems conveys these viewpoints. The poets use other literary elements, such as diction, imagery, speaker, and form to emphasize the tone. The first poem honors Helen. Poe writes favorably of Helen. The underlying tone of this poem is longing, and even sadness. Diction plays a major role in emphasizing the tone of this poem. Most words in this poem are euphonious. The title is significant because it too is euphonious. The verses of this poem are enjambment. Poe uses archaic diction to help the words sound euphonious, such as “thy” and “thee.” Examples of alliteration, such as “the weary, way-worn wanderer bore,” are abundant in this poem. The second poem speaks very negatively of Helen. The words of this poem are mostly cacophonous, especially the words at the end of a verse. “All Greece” is incrementally repeated. The tone of this poem is loathing. “To Helen” is written in first person, observer. It is also in recent perspective and reminiscent. When the speaker speaks of Helen’s beauty, the poem is written in recent perspective, and when he speaks of the glory and grandeur of the past empires, the poem is reminiscent. “Helen” is written in third person, recent perspective. Words such as “stands,” “smiles,” and “remembering” indicate this. This poem is more subjective than the first poem. Imagery also plays a key rol...