The Real Hero: Penelope or Helen?

Posted by keeara
(source:google photos)
        Beautiful. Respectable. Loving. Faithful. What more could a husband ask for? Odysseus was fortunate enough that amongst all Penelope's suitors, she chose him to be her husband and be the king of her kingdom. Penelope on the other hand, gave back the love Odysseus gave by being loving and faithful to him. She was patient and always ready to fight for what she believes is right. Even kings from richer kingdoms came to court her, her faith in the return of her never faded. She kept holding on to the promise of her husband no matter how hard it is to wait for someone you do not know when will return. Though faced with a lot of hardships during the 20 years of waiting for her husband, she did not lose strength to still carry on living and caring for her son, Telemachus and her kingdom, Ithaca. 


(source:google photos)
  Being the daughter of a god does have it pros and cons. Helen was a proof of that. She has ethereal beauty beyond compare and which no man could resist. At first, it was worth bragging about, but later, it became a dilemma as men fought over the right to have her hand in marriage. But no matter how many men court her, she had eyes only for Paris - her one true love. They defied the gods and their own fate by eloping to Troy. And that later caused a great grief for a lot of people as many lives were put to an end for a selfish purpose.


   These two women can be compared in numerous ways. Their beauty, their simplicity, their royal bloods and most significantly, their deep love for the one man fate destined for them to love. They had no second thoughts about who they should love among their many suitors. However, it was Penelope who was more perceptive about life and the consequences one can suffer from their choices. Helen was the one who always gets what she wants. She was spoiled and was child-like when she was young. Her family loves her; but the death of her soon-to-be king brother, Pollux, brought about the anger of her father, Tyndareus to her. This leap of fate made her more mature; however, not changing her perspective in life that things are not done rashly. It should be weighed first and then thought about a million times before finally doing it.

    Helen was the exact opposite of Penelope in a way. Penelope was more open-minded, or should we say, more experienced in life than Helen. And Penelope was not the one who made a rush decision and regretted it later on. 


   For me, Penelope was more of a protagonist than Helen. Penelope knew what the most important things were and she knew how to handle these things correctly. Unlike Helen, who was always driven by her passion and love for the wrong person at a very wrong time. Helen was even the cause of a great war and the death of millions of innocent people. If I were Helen, I would not cause such a devastation to Troy and the other involved kingdoms even if it is because of love.
   
    Another reason why Penelope, for me, is the protagonist, is her loyalty to her husband. She loved him very much and made him feel happy to have her as a wife. As for Helen, I could not say so, she left her husband Menelaus for Paris (the son of an enemy). Helen did not stay faithful to her husband. But, even if she does not love her husband, it is not reason enough to leave someone who has put so much trust into you. For betraying someone just for the sake of never having to lose the one you love, is the most selfish thing a person could do. 


   Remember, do what your mind tells you is the right thing and never ever base your decisions solely on your heart. For the heart decides what will give it pleasure, and the mind decides on what will make you wiser and stronger.
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