Here's why:
* She is a symbol of beauty and its destructive power: Her beauty is legendary, captivating both gods and mortals. This beauty, however, fuels conflict and war, ultimately causing immense suffering. She is a tragic figure, caught between her own desire and the destructive forces she unleashes.
* She represents the power of choice and agency: Despite being depicted as a pawn in the hands of fate and powerful men, Helen consistently makes her own choices, whether it's choosing to leave Sparta or ultimately choosing Paris. This makes her a complex character, representing the conflicting forces of fate and free will.
* She symbolizes the duality of love and war: Helen is both the object of passionate love and the catalyst for brutal warfare. Her story is an exploration of how love, when unchecked and fueled by passion, can lead to destruction and suffering.
* She is a symbol of the feminine and its representation in patriarchal societies: Helen's narrative is heavily influenced by the male gaze and patriarchal power structures. She is objectified, her agency often undermined, and her story told from a male perspective. This makes her a powerful symbol of the challenges women faced and continue to face in patriarchal societies.
While other symbols exist within the text, such as the Trojan Horse, the city of Troy itself, and the various gods, Helen is the most significant and complex symbol, encapsulating multiple themes and layers of meaning.