The Evolution of Image of Helen of Troy in European and American Literature

Abstract

The article attempts to analyse the evolution of the interpretation of Helen of Troy in European (in particular, English) literature, as well as in the literature of the North American continent (USA, Canada). Many works based on the Trojan War motif were considered. The author marks out the features characteristic of the given literary epoch and the tendencies of portraying the ideal of beauty, identifies the distinctive features, discloses their significance and influence on the conception of the work. Our work examines the trends in the depiction of the ancient beauty depending on the requirements of the era. Keywords: Trojan War, historical novel, Helen of Troy, Margaret George, Olivia Coolidge, Edgar Poe, English literature, foreign literature.