# Menelaus and Helen explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

The chapter recounts the fate of Helen after the fall of Troy, her reconciliation with Menelaus, their stormy journey through the Mediterranean, their kind reception in Egypt, and their eventual return to Sparta where they reign in splendor and celebrate their daughter's marriage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Transformation

Helen's love for Menelaus endures despite her desertion, leading to reconciliation and restoration.

### Hospitality and Its Violation

Menelaus and Helen are kindly treated in Egypt, receiving rich gifts, contrasting with earlier violations of hospitality during the war.

## Character check-ins

### Menelaus

Recovers possession of Helen after the fall of Troy and returns with her to Sparta.

### Helen

The fair but guilty cause of the Trojan War; reconciles with Menelaus and aids the Greeks secretly.

### Ulysses

Entered Troy in disguise to carry off the Palladium; recognized by Helen who kept his secret.

### Achilles

Mentioned as father of Neoptolemus, who marries Hermione.

### Telemachus

Son of Ulysses who visits Sparta in search of his father and finds Menelaus and Helen celebrating a marriage.

## Key lines

> On the fall of Troy Menelaus recovered possession of his wife, who had not ceased to love him, though she had yielded to the might of Venus and deserted him for another.

After Troy fell, Menelaus got his wife back; she still loved him despite having left him for Paris under Venus's influence.

_Summarizes Helen's enduring love and the reconciliation._

> In Egypt they were kindly treated and presented with rich gifts, of which Helen’s share was a golden spindle and a basket on wheels.

The Egyptians welcomed them and gave them valuable presents, including a golden spindle and a wheeled basket for Helen.

_Highlights the hospitality and gifts received in Egypt._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/menelaus-and-helen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters