THE SHADE OF HELEN.

In “Grass of Parnassus”, the text weaves a contemplative narrative, exploring the theme of return and transformation. It begins with a poetic meditation on the soul’s journey through life and its desire to merge once again with the eternal essence from which it originated. This eternal flame represents a form of pure being and consciousness that stands in stark contrast to the transient joys and sorrows that mark human existence. The passage suggests that while there is a yearning to return to this state of unity and to relive one’s former existence, such a possibility remains beyond our grasp. Instead, human beings are left with sleep as their only refuge—a state that, instead of providing solace, often brings with it reminders of lost pleasures and loved ones, making awakening to reality all the more difficult.

The narrative then shifts to an intriguing mythological tale regarding Helen of Troy. Contrary to the widely held belief that Helen was taken to Troy, igniting the Trojan War, the text proposes an alternative myth: Helen never went to Troy but stayed in Egypt. Instead, the gods created a replica of Helen from clouds and shadows, sending this ethereal double to be Paris’s bride. This narrative thread raises themes of identity, illusion, and the futility of war, as both Greeks and Trojans are depicted as fighting fervently over an illusion.

This segues into a first-person lamentation from Helen (or her shade) herself, questioning why she was taken from the serene hills—her place of true belonging, characterized by gentle rains and the interplay of light and shadow—into the tumultuous world of human affairs, characterized by war and unrequited love. Helen’s reflections emphasize a sense of alienation and dissonance with the mortal world, where her existence seems to cause chaos and passion, much against her nature. Her form, though desired and fought over, brings her no solace, as the love offered to her is based on a misconception of her true essence.

Through these reflections, the chapter moves past the external narrative of war and love to probe deeper philosophical questions about existence, the craving for a return to a purer state of being, and the tragic pursuit of illusions.