Helen of Troy

The entrance of Helen of Troy was quite interesting in the play. She is a beautiful woman and represents sexual desire for Faustus. She is symbolic of Faustus' pact with the devil -- alluring, tempting, and exciting. It is known that when Faustus kisses Helen, he renounces any hope for salvation and is doomed to burn in hell eternally. So why Helen of Troy, the "face that launched a thousand ships"? She is the most beautiful woman in the world, it was Helen and the Trojan prince Paris's love that caused the city of Troy to burn (but of course it was mostly Helen, the temptress, who seduced Paris because men can do no wrong.) I found it interesting that Helen caused Troy to burn and her kiss will cause Faustus to burn. Of course we poor females are always responsible for the downfall of men; maybe if we weren't so sinful, beautiful, and tempting, the world would be a better place.