Os caminhos da honra e do amor ou O corpo de Helena de Paulo José Miranda

Abstract

With O Corpo de Helena, Paulo José Miranda returns, in his first published play, to the myth of the Atridas. By recuperating the famous theme of the Micenas legend, the Portuguese playwright uses both formal and thematic freedom, while still emphasizing vital concepts from the Greek tragedy: the conflict between physis and nomos– nature and social convention–, the purposelessness of war and time as the main cause for the transience of human life. The fundamental innovation is surely the character of Menelaos who now becomes the true protagonist, enveloped in the heroism that derives from the doubt and acceptance of his own frailty: “Menelaos, the one who didn’t go to war and, overthrown in home and thoughts, has challenged the gods.”