2006-11-02 16:06:20 · 6 answers · asked by beth d 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
... Because Odysseus swore an oath that has something to do with Helen of Troy.
Odysseus was one of the suitors for Helen, daughter of Tyndareus. But when Tyndareus, afraid of offending the many famous and powerful suitors, would not choose among them, Odysseus promised to solve the dilemma, in return for Tyndareus' support for Odysseus suit for Penelope, daughter of Icarius. Odysseus proposed that Tyndareus require all the suitors to swear an oath to defend whomever Helen chose as husband from among the oath-takers. The suitors, including Odysseus, swore and Helen chose Menelaus, the most powerful of them.
When Helen was abducted by Paris of Troy (which caused the Trojan War), the suitors were called upon to honor their oaths and help Menelaus retrieve Helen. Because an oracle had prophesied he would not return for a long time, Odysseus didn't want to go to war; he pretended to be insane, ploughing his fields and sowing salt instead of seeds. Agamemnon, Menelaus' brother, sent Palamedes to convince Odysseus to join the expedition. Palamedes was very intelligent, and placed Telemachus, Odysseus' infant son, in front of the plough. Odysseus could not kill his son, thus revealing his sanity, and then left for the Trojan War.
2006-11-02 16:28:52 · answer #1 · answered by Mye 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, he was enlisted by the Greeks to help them against Troy.
Moreover, as the hero (of the story), he must be on the side of righteousness. The trojans kidnapped Helen. Helen was considered the most beautiful woman in the world during that time.
2006-11-03 03:52:08 · answer #2 · answered by dreamofyz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Odysseus had sworn to defend Helen's husband, and he called in that oath.
2006-11-03 00:14:03 · answer #3 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coz he sworn with the rest of the Greeks to accept Helen's chosen husband as their leader (who happens to be Menelaus??) Agaemmon, who was the brother-in-law of Helen, was also a powerful leader in his own right. (Either with or against him)
Anyway, Troy was a rich city and who can resist the temptation of plundering
2006-11-03 00:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Dumbguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something to do with him swearing to bring helen back coz took an oath to protect her or something
2006-11-03 00:42:53 · answer #5 · answered by Jessiefer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause his daddy left his in his wallet
2006-11-03 00:11:33 · answer #6 · answered by jess g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋