Zeus and Leda
Leda, wife of Tyndareos, gave birth to some of the most illustrious, important, and influential people of ancient Greece. The first lady of Sparta gave birth to Castor, Clytmnestra (who would eventually control Greece), Phoebe, Phylonoe, Polydueces (Pollux), and the beautiful woman who eventually caused the downfall of the City of Troy, Helen. Although some of her children were conceived by King Tyndareos others weren't. Castor, Helen of Troy, Pollux and some say Clytmnestra, were conceived by the Greek god Zeus while posing as a swan. Swans as we think of them today are no more than a beautiful, majestic bird that flies elegantly through the sky. Many see them as a symbol of beauty and love. But beauty can camouflage evil. Swans are unlike most birds in that they have external sex organs, possibly why Zeus chose a swan. In the poem "Leda and The Swan" by William Butler Yates the beauty of the swan is used to intrigue and entice the beautiful woman. The greatest of all the Greek Gods, Zeus, disguises himself as a swan to lure her close so that he may rape her. She was helpless and terrified as the swan attacked and ravaged her. "A sudden blow: the great wings beatin
Legend says that she and Zeus married and had two children and that all four of them fought on Mt. War had been brewing with theses two world powers for several years and this was a reason to go to war with the mighty Trojans. Aegisthus became king but was a puppet for Clytemnestra's rule. While Agamemnon was away defending the honor of his brother "Clytemnestra starts her torrid affair with Aegisthus. Acting on the advice of Odysseus, he got all the suitors to swear that they would support the marriage rights of the successful candidate. The beauty of Helen caused much jealousy between men and between nations. There she was found later drenched in blood standing over the bodies of her husband and his new wife. g still Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill, He holds her helpless breast upon breast" (Yeats lines 1-4 Kirszner 916)After this incident Leda "bore two eggs from one issued Castor and Pollux, from the other Helen (and, in some myths Clytemnestra). He then settled on Menelaus to be the husband of Helen. A fleet was sent to destroy the city. Zeus's appalling actions ultimately led to a collapse of his power.
Common topics in this essay:
Iphignea Agamemnon,
Gods Zeus,
Tyndareos Lacedaemon,
Helen Troy,
Pollux Clytmnestra,
Troy Agamemnon,
Trojan Achilles,
Pollux Helen,
Empire Leda,
Daughter King,
power corrupts,
helen troy,
return agamemnon,
city troy,
king tyndareos,
beautiful woman,
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Acceptance Essays
