# Helen — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Helen in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Sweet Helen, Helen Ay

**First appearance:** 0011-act-iii-scene-i

## Who they are

Wife of Menelaus, living in Troy with Paris; her beauty is the war's cause.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Referenced by Troilus as the cause of the war, whose beauty is maintained by bloodshed.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Engages in witty exchange with Pandarus, requests a love song, and praises Pandarus's forehead.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/helen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters