Original poem reprinted online here: "The Face That Launch'd a Thousand Ships" by Christopher Marlowe Originally read: August 26, 2013 More information about the Poet: Christopher Marlowe The poem is not secretive about the allusion, Helen. Not from the title, but also the mention of her name constantly within the title. So why have an appositive in the title rather than the name? This is where the speaker admits that he's looking at the concept rather than the actual person. The actual person is the ruse, he power behind beauty is all that matters, "Was this face that launch'd a thousand ships, / And burnt the topless towers of Illium?" The speaker continues with the talk of beauty, but how it would affect the speaker, "Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss / Her lips suck forth my soul: see where it flies!" Kind of succubus, but note the over-the-top nature the action is which is parallel to the idea of a face launching a thousan...
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