Are you looking for a poetic way to talk about a stunning woman — so beautiful, perhaps, that some might consider it dangerous? You could use the expression "a face that launched a thousand ships". Before you do, learn about its meaning and origin by exploring this post.
Meaning
The expression "the face that launched a thousand ships" is a direct reference to Helen of Troy, a prominent figure from Greek Mythology. Her beauty was said to be utterly captivating and unparalleled, to the point where a war was fought over it.
When used in the form "a face that launched a thousand ships", however, this expression can refer to anyone who is deemed to be similarly beautiful. Use this expression to describe incredible beauty, or beauty that could inspire conflict.
Example Usage
How might you use the phrase "a face that launched a thousand ships" in practice? Use these examples, which take plenty of creative liberty, to give you a better idea:
- "Helen of Troy, daughter of Zeus and the face that launched a thousand ships, we often forget, was not a historical figure at all but a myth."
- "Humanity had been in awe of her since time immemorial, but when water was finally discovered on the moon, she became a new face to launch a thousand ships, with each nation rushing to send its own colony." (If you were writing a sci fi.)
- "I fell in love with Helen in the eight grade. Like her mythological name sake, she was a face that launched a thousand ships. The competition was steep and she chose Steve over me."
Origin
The rather poetic lines that gave birth to the expression "the face that launched a thousand ships" came from the famous 1590s play The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
The play features a line in which Doctor Faustus says:
"Was this the face that launched a thousand ships
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss."
The Helen in question is Helen of Troy, a prominent figure in Greek mythology. She, the most beautiful woman on Earth, was married to King Menelaus of Sparta, but goddess of love Aphrodite promised Helen to Paris or Troy.
These events led to the famed Trojan War, which also featured the Trojan horse, fought to get Helen back. The locations in question being Greek city states, ships would have played a great role in such a war. Hence "the face that launched a thousand ships".
The expression "a face that launched a thousand ships" has come to refer to any woman with amazing beauty over time, though the saying is now fairly obscure outside of literary circles.
Phrases Similar to the Face That Launched a Thousand Ships
Other idioms and phrases you could use to describe amazing beauty include:
- Drop-dead gorgeous
- You look like a million dollars
- As pretty as a picture
- A thing of beauty is a joy forever — from a Keats poem.
Phrases Opposite to the Face That Launched a Thousand Ships
Should you instead want to convey that beauty is not so important, you could choose one of these sayings:
- Beauty is skin deep — meaning that personality is more important.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder — meaning that beauty is subjective.
What Is the Correct Saying?
"The face that launched a thousand ships" refers to the mythological figure Helen of Troy, said to be the most beautiful woman in the world. You can say "a face that launched a thousand ships" to talk about anyone who is especially stunning.
Ways People May Say the Face That Launched a Thousand Ships Incorrectly
Should you want to tell a girl that she is beautiful, calling her "a face that launched a thousand ships" might be misunderstood. It may be better to use more commonly used sayings in this case.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships
You can use the expression "the face that launched a thousand ships" to talk about Helen of Troy.
This line can also be adapted to describe any beautiful woman, in which case you would say that she is "a face that launched a thousand ships".
It is best to use this saying in a literary context, such as when writing a history paper.