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Ali234 Posted 20 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

was Helen responsible for Torjan War

Hi, All,

I will be glad if someone help me to analyze this excerpt:

"I cannot see how one can say of Helen not only that hers was the face that launched a thousand ships but, in addition, that she was responsible for (and did not merely cause ) the Torjan War, if the war was soley to something that was the result not of a free choice to elope with Paris which Helen need not have made, but only of her irresistable beauty." (Isaia Berlin, Four Essays on Liberty: p.xiv)

cheers,

Ali
  

Top answer

You need to look at this phrase in its entirety: 'hers was the face that launched a thousand ships'. This is a famous quote about Helen - her face was so beautiful that Paris stole her away, and a thousand ships were launched to get her back/get revenge. It blames her beauty as the cause of the war.

— Nona the brit

  • You need to look at this phrase in its entirety: 'hers was the face that launched a thousand ships'.
  • This is a famous quote about Helen - her face was so beautiful that Paris stole her away, and a thousand ships were launched to get her back/get revenge.
  • It blames her beauty as the cause of the war.
  • e.
  • Trojan) and I suspect a word is missing here: the war was soley (spelling mistake) to something'.
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6 Answers
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You need to look at this phrase in its entirety: 'hers was the face that launched a thousand ships'. This is a famous quote about Helen - her face was so beautiful that Paris stole her away, and a thousand ships were launched to get her back/get revenge. It blames her beauty as the cause of the war.

For future reference, you haven't copied out the quote correctly, t
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Dear Nona,

I apologize for the spelling mistakes. I rewite it again:

I cannot see how one can say of Helen not only that hers was the face that launched a thousand ships but, in addition, that she was responsible for (and did not merely cause ) the Trojan War, if the war was due solely to somet
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not only that hers was the face that launched a thousand ships but, in addition, that she was responsible for (and did not merely cause ) the Trojan War, if the war was due solely to something that was the result not of a free choice to elope with Paris which Helen need not have made, but only of her
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How about this alternative:

" ... not only that it was her face that launched a thousand ships but, in addition, ..."

My problem is the phrase " hers was the face" I have hardly seen it. it is a little greek for me. I want to know what is the exact meaning of it and learn how to use this complex form of wording. So I would be very appreciated if you
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no your re-write does not work.

'hers was the face' just means the face belonging to her. It is being expressed in a poetic way so I wouldn't worry about trying to learn this sort of phrase at the moment.
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Dear Nona,

thanks for your return for yet another help! in the same excerpt:

I cannot see how one can say of Helen not only that hers was the face that launched a thousand ships but, in addition, that she was respo
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