Act 3 Summary

Scene 1 Before the Palace of Menelaus in Sparta

This scene begins in Sparta, directly after the Trojan War. Helen and Menelaus have finally returned and the Trojans have been defeated. The scene proceeds in the form of an ancient tragedy, specifically in the style of Euripides. Helen begins by singing the praises of her husband and recounting the tale of their return from Troy. The chorus echoes this and describes Menelaus as a hero.

The chorus's description of her husband is a little too much for Helen and she begins to disclose some of her doubts and fears about Meneleus's intentions. She is not entirely sure what he intends to do with her and she vaguely fears him. Before he left her, he ordered her to prepare the sacrificial hearth for a sacrifice to come once he returns, but he did not tell...