Oenone : Characters

Characters

Major Characters

• Oenone/Œnone: Protagonist and narrator of the poem. A mountain nymph from Greek mythology who deeply loves Paris. She is heartbroken because Paris abandons her for Helen. 
• Paris: Prince of Troy and Oenone’s former lover. He does not appear or speak in the poem but is central to the plot. Paris betrays Oenone by leaving her for Helen, which leads to the Trojan War. 

Minor / Referenced Characters

• Helen: The wife of Menelaus and the woman Paris abducts, leading to the Trojan War. Though never appearing in the poem, she is the cause of Oenone’s heartbreak and Paris’s betrayal.
• Aphrodite: The Greek goddess of love and beauty. She promises Paris the love of Helen if he awards her the golden apple in the Judgement of Paris. Her promise causes the conflict between Paris and Oenone.
• Hera: Greek goddess of marriage and queen of the gods. She is also a contestant for the golden apple in the Judgement of Paris. She is indirectly referenced in the mythological background.
• Athena: Greek goddess of wisdom and war, another contestant in the Judgement of Paris. Like Hera, she is mentioned in the mythological context.
• Eris: He is a goddess of Chaos who creates chaos at the wedding function of Paleus and Thetis.
• Hermes: He is the messenger of Zeus.
• Peleus & Thetis: “Achilles’ father’s name is Peleus and his mother’s name is Thetis, who is a Goddess or sea nymph.”

Couples and Relationships

• Oenone and Paris: Former lovers, their broken relationship forms the soul of the poem’s conflict.
• Paris and Helen: Their union triggers Paris’s betrayal of Oenone and the Trojan War.