Two Different Worlds: Helen and Penelope

   The Iliad and Odyssey, two great epics presented by the blind poet Homer. These famous epics had famous protagonists. These were Helen and Penelope, both of these women hold their true essence of beauty and personality. However, they do not seem to look alike. Each of them has their own traits and characteristics. Beautiful as they may be, yet, this can always be an illusion to their real side.

Let us start off with Helen. She is considered as the daughter of Zeus, the god who reigns on Mt. Olympus. Throughout her life in Sparta, she lived her life in the house of King Tyndareus' family. From her childish attitude, I can see her acting like a spoiled brat and wanted to live a rebellious life. Helen first fell in love with Pollux, but as soon as she was kidnapped by Theseus, she had a change of heart.

Penelope, proclaimed as the wife of King Odysseus from the land of Ithaca. She was a humble and faithful wife to King Odysseus. During the Trojan War, the king had left for battle and went to Troy. Unfortunately, during King Odysseus' return, the gods played him. This made Penelope wait for her husband to return home for more than twenty years. While waiting for her husband's triumphant return, several suitors came upon her door. Having been faithful to his king, Penelope devised a way to trick her suitors by luring them to King Odysseus in his throne.

There are several comparisons between these two ladies. Based on my opinion, I can say that Penelope has a better personality than Helen. This is because she proved to be loyal to his loved one. True love is for the right time, the right place and the right person. She proved it by enduring all the pain of missing her husband and forever remained loyal to King Odysseus. Helen, on the other hand, does not think thoroughly. She always makes rash decisions and she can be an ignorant person. If she made the right decision and had let go of Paris, then the Trojan War would have never happened. However, she made the wrong move and ended up losing Paris and the kingdom of Troy in ruins.

I would like to conclude that Penelope is far more better than Helen. She has a better example of good manners and right conduct than the other. Even though both of them are beautiful, Penelope holds the true gift in her personality and the way she lived her life.