Oenone Characters
O
Oenone
Protagonist
Also known as: Œnone
Deeply loving
Heartbroken
Devoted
Emotionally vulnerable
A mountain nymph from Greek mythology who serves as both the protagonist and narrator of the poem. She deeply loves Paris but is abandoned by him in favour of Helen. Her heartbreak and sense of betrayal form the emotional core of the poem.
loves unrequitedly:
Paris
rival of:
Helen
P
Paris
Antagonist
Unfaithful
Central to the plot
Absent yet influential
Betraying
Prince of Troy and Oenone's former lover. He does not appear or speak directly in the poem yet remains central to its plot. His decision to abandon Oenone for Helen constitutes an act of betrayal that ultimately triggers the Trojan War.
abandoned:
Oenone
abducted:
Helen
awarded golden apple to:
Aphrodite
H
Helen
Minor
Alluring
Absent
Destructive
Coveted
The wife of Menelaus and the woman Paris abducts, setting off the Trojan War. She never appears directly in the poem but serves as the cause of Oenone's heartbreak and Paris's betrayal.
taken by:
Paris
A
Aphrodite
Minor
Manipulative
Persuasive
Self-interested
Powerful
The Greek goddess of love and beauty. She promises Paris the love of Helen in exchange for being awarded the golden apple in the Judgement of Paris. Her promise is the catalyst for the central conflict between Paris and Oenone.
promised Helen to:
Paris
rival of:
Hera
rival of:
Athena
H
Hera
Minor
Authoritative
Ambitious
Competitive
Greek goddess of marriage and queen of the gods. She is a contestant for the golden apple in the Judgement of Paris and is indirectly referenced within the mythological background of the poem.
judged by:
Paris
rival of:
Athena
rival of:
Aphrodite
A
Athena
Minor
Wise
Competitive
Strategic
Greek goddess of wisdom and war. She is another contestant in the Judgement of Paris and is mentioned within the mythological context of the poem.
judged by:
Paris
rival of:
Aphrodite
rival of:
Hera
E
Eris
Minor
Chaotic
Disruptive
Provocative
The goddess of chaos who instigates disorder at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Her actions set in motion the chain of events leading to the Judgement of Paris.
instigated conflict involving:
Hera
instigated conflict involving:
Aphrodite
instigated conflict involving:
Athena
disrupted wedding of:
Peleus
+1 more
H
Hermes
Minor
Dutiful
Messenger
Obedient
The messenger of Zeus. He is referenced in the mythological background of the poem in connection with the events surrounding the Judgement of Paris.
guided judgment of:
Paris
P
Peleus
Minor
Noble
Mortal
Peripheral
Father of Achilles and husband of Thetis. He is referenced as part of the mythological background, notably in connection with the wedding at which Eris causes chaos.
married to:
Thetis
T
Thetis
Minor
Divine
Maternal
Peripheral
A goddess and sea nymph, mother of Achilles and wife of Peleus. She is referenced in the mythological background of the poem, particularly in relation to the wedding disrupted by Eris.
married to:
Peleus