THE JUDGEMENT OF PARIS

Narrator: Troy, is a great, rich, and powerful city, second to none on

earth. No city is more famous than it is. But the cause of this long-lasting
fame is one of the greatest wars. The war that started because of the
dispute between the three envious goddesses.

(At the wedding. Servants serving foods. God and goddesses enjoying the
banquet.)

Narrator: An important wedding is happening; it is between the sea

nymph Thetis and mortal King Peleus.

(God and goddesses congratulating the newlyweds)

(Act: Happy celebrating)

Zeus: Common everyone! We're in a celebration, let's all dance and

enjoy, my dear divinities!

(stands up)

(dance performance)

(Act happy)

(back to the table)

Zeus: Cheers to our newlyweds. We’re here to celebrate so don’t ever

stop yourself. Drink until tomorrow.

Narrator: Zeus organized the celebration to which all the gods and
goddesses were invited except for the evil goddess of discord, Eris. Zeus
and the other gods knew that wherever Eris goes, she brings nothing
more but chaos.

(Act: The gods raised their glasses and laughed.)

Narrator: In the banqueting hall, all the gods are celebrating and having
much fun. Eris came uninvited bearing an evil plan. She entered the room
and threw a golden apple in the middle of the banqueting hall. Everyone’s
attention is redirected to the apple. It is addressed as "To the Fairest".

(Opens the door)

Eris: Everyone was invited except me? (sarcastic laugh)

Zeus: Eris?

Eris: Yes, It’s me! So you didn’t invite me in this party? Awwww, it’s okay.
Oh by the way, I bought a gift even if I was not invited. Here! (throws the
apple)

(Hermes standing near the table)

(Goes where the golden apple and picks it up)

Hermes: What is this? A golden... apple?

Athena: Gold?

Aphrodite: It's beautiful. I want it.

Hermes: It says, "To the fairest"...?

Aphrodite: To the fairest? (stands up)... it's talking about me. (tries to
grab the golden apple)

Hera: Not so fast Aphrodite. (stops aphrodite's hand)

Athena: A golden apple for the fairest? It surely was meant for me. I'm
the smartest.

(Aphrodite & Hera rolled their eyes)

Aphrodite: You two should stop, there is no point arguing, since it is

obviously for me, for I am the most beautiful goddess.

(Fights over the golden apple)

Hera: Stop! Let's ask Zeus and he'll decide!

(Zeus slowly goes to the 3 arguing goddesses.)

Athena: It is clearly for me, stop it! (almost in a whisper)

Aphrodite: Stop making fool of yourself Athena.

Zeus: Ladies, ladies calm down! I clearly can’t decide because if I choose
wrong all three of you will tear me apart! So, you guys should go to Mount
Ida and ask the shepherd boy Paris, to decide. Hermes, you should go with
them. Take them to Paris.

Hermes: Alright then, follow me ladies, and don’t be nervous.

Narrator: Paris the shepherd is no ordinary shepherd but was the son of
King Priam of Troy. There was a prophecy told to his parents when he was
born that when he grew up he would bring great destruction to the city of
Troy. So, his parents Priam and Hecabe reluctantly and with great sorrow
asked a servant to kill Paris. The servant took baby Paris out onto the
mountainside but he could not bring himself to kill him so he gave him to
a childless shepherd and his wife to look after. Given that he grew up to a
childless shepherd and his wife, Paris became really good with animals, he
was not only a good shepherd but was excellent with horses, and he was
also extremely handsome.

Narrator: While they were on their way to Mount Ida, Aphrodite

approached Hermes to ask questions.

Aphrodite: Do you know Paris? Is he a bachelor? Does he have a wife?

Hermes: He’s not a bachelor in the strictest sense.

Aphrodite: What does that mean?

Hermes: Well, there’s a wife … and she’s nice enough … but she really
doesn’t deserve him.

Aphrodite: Why not?

Hermes: Well … she’s a “country beauty.” In other words, she’s

downright ugly and he only took her because there was nothing else
available, and a young man must have somewhere to sow his seed. Why
do you ask?

Aphrodite: Just curious.

Athena: What’s all this whispering about? That isn’t fair, Hermes.
Whatever you’re telling Aphrodite, you can tell the rest of us.

Hermes: It’s nothing important. She only asked if Paris was a bachelor.

Hera: None of her business—that’s what you should have said.

Hermes: It’s an innocent enough question.

Athena: Well—is he?

Hermes: A bachelor? No.

Athena: What are his ambitions? Does he care for military glory? Or just
for his goats?
Hermes: Well, I don’t really know, but he’s a young man, so I would
assume he’s dreamed of distinction on the battlefield.

Aphrodite: There, you see—I don't complain when you whisper to her.

Hermes: Listen, ladies, don’t be cross with me; I’m just the messenger.
And besides, Athena asked almost the same question you did. It can’t do
any harm, can it—my answering a simple question?

Hera: How much further?

Hermes: Stop talking, we’re here.

Narrator: They finally reached Mount Ida and Hermes delivered the
message to Paris.

Paris: I have no idea why I was chosen to decide but since it is from the
god Zeus, I will. But I don't know where to start, you all are lovely
goddesses.

Narrator: Paris is frightened. He knew that when he had made his

judgement he would offend the other two goddesses, and that might
cause him a lot of trouble.

(Paris looks at the three goddesses in front of him that left him to gulp out
of nervousness)

Hera: I'll make it easy for you... If you chose me, I will give you the power
to rule Asia and Europe. Above that, I will make you the riches and give
you many victories.

Athena: Hmmmm... tempting (looks at Hera with a smirk). Paris, if you

chose me, I will give you the almost same amount of wisdom I have. And
of course, this includes the great mind for war strategies, that'll give you
victories in almost all of your battles.

Aphrodite: Uh-uh silly Hera and Athena... you both are making it hard for
our dear Paris(teasingly said). So, let's make it easy for everyone (laughs).
Paris I will give you the choice that I know you can't refuse. If you picked
me, I will give you Helen of Sparta, the most beautiful girl in the world.

(Paris has a shifting look between the three goddesses.)

Narrator: The goddess gave their best offers to make Paris choose them.
It may seem hard but Paris already knows what he wants and
wholeheartedly answered...

Paris: I'm sorry ladies (look at Athena and Hera) I don't need power or
wisdom.
(Walk towards Aphrodite)

Paris: I am choosing Aphrodite. Aphrodite is the fairest... I may be

married but I still want the most beautiful girl in the world Helen of Sparta.

Narrator: Now, Paris chose Aphrodite to get Helen of Sparta, but

unfortunately, Helen is already married to Menelaus, King of Sparta. But
that doesn't stop Paris, after finding out that he was the son of the King of
Sparta. But that doesn't stop Paris, after finding out that he
was the son of the King of Troy he immediately went to see his parents.

Paris: I am a prince of Troy...?

Hecabe (Queen of Troy): My son is alive?!... Oh, my son Paris! You must
have been through a lot! I'm glad you're alive. Forgive us my son!

Priam(King of Troy): My son. We are truly sorry for abandoning you

because of such a prophecy. Forgive us.

Narrator: Queen Hecabe and King Priam of Troy were delighted that Paris
was alive. Although, his brothers and sisters were not too happy as they
remembered the prophecy told about him.

Sister 1: But what about the prophecy?! He'll bring destruction to the city
of Troy, father!

Sister 2: I agree.

(Sisters & Brothers agree)

Priam: You guys should stop. Paris is your sibling. I no longer care for
such a baseless prophecy. Paris is my son. (looking at the other kids)

Sister 1: But father!!! (shout)

Priam: Enough!!! (lumapit kay Paris) Tell me if you need anything, and I'll
willingly give it to you, for you are my son, Paris, the prince of Troy.
(looking at Paris)

Paris: Father, I want a ship that'll bring me to Sparta.

Priam: Is that all you need?

Paris: Yes.

Narrator: King Priam gladly gave Paris his request. Right after that, Paris
went to Sparta and King Menelaus welcomed him to the palace.
King Menelaus: Prince Paris Welcome to Sparta! What brings you here?

Paris: I just want to visit this lovely city of yours, King Menelaus.

King Menelaus: (laughs) well I hope you'll enjoy your visit prince Paris!

Narrator: A day after welcoming Paris, King Menelaus needed to leave

Sparta for he received a news of his father dying due to illness.

King Menelaus: As much as I want to roam you around, I received the

news of my father dying so I needed to go now. I hope you enjoy your
visit.

Paris: I'm so sorry for that. Yeah, I will.

King Menelaus: My queen Helen will stay in the palace, you can ask her
if you need anything while I'm away. I'll go now.

Narrator: King Menelaus leave without knowing, Helen is already in love

with Paris, because Aphrodite meddles in this by putting a spell on Helen.

Paris: Let's now leave, Helen. I want you by my side in Troy.

Helen: I love you Paris but I'm afraid of how things might happen to you
and the city of Troy after we leave Sparta.

Paris: You don't have to worry about that my love. As long as I'm with
you, you are safe. Troy is a rich and powerful city, no one, not even King
Menelaus will attempt to go against Troy.

(leaving Sparta)

Narrator: King Menelaus arrived in Sparta after a week and found out
that Paris took his wife.

King Menelaus: Where is Helen?! Why did you allow Prince Paris to take
my queen Helen!!! I will never allow this even if this means going against
the kingdom of Troy!

Narrator: King Menelaus rashly ask for help from his brother, King of
Mycenae to get Helen back. They saw this as a huge insult to the men of
Greece and asked the other kings and princes of Greece to help get Helen
back and teach the Trojans a lesson. They assembled a huge fleet of
ships.

(Ships arriving Troy with soldiers)

King Menelaus: Where is Paris?! I will kill Paris! Everyone, let’s destroy
Troy and bring back my wife. Attack!!!
Narrator: The choice of Paris led to the Trojan War and his own death.