Page 28 - GALIET ABSENCE AND Presence's Loom: Helen and Penelope IV

are fruitful, flocks are always fertile, seas bring fish as bounty – such prosperity blesses his people, since he governs well.”44
Fame which Agamemnon’s shade, too, commemorates for “her mind,” having “understanding,45 eclipses Helen’s. Penelope’s stellar excellence, exceeding ignobleness or treachery,46 shall gloriously endure immortalized in song “for the daughter of Icarius,” says Agamemnon, “will never lose the fame that she has won” since “for your (Odysseus’) Penelope the, deathless ones/will shape a song to bring delight among/all men on earth.”47 Immortal song as delight, not as curse divine; immortal song as understanding’s praise, not as Helen’s craze’s malaise:
44 Ody.,19.88-116. 382. This is Odysseus’ lovely encomium to Penelope. Indeed, no mortal could find flaw with her, he says, for she is like a just King. It is true that Penelope stalls things, and seems inefficient at handling affairs, but she does the best she can within her limited powers. Though her stratagem has paradoxical potentials for Telemachus’ inheritance: it shall prosper if and only if she finishes Laertes’ robe, and remarries, and it shall go to waste if she continues with her scheme to unweave, she does denounce Antinous for scheming Telemachus’ death, ignoring right of hosts, neglecting Odysseus’ kindness to his father, preying on his house, refusing to pay, and courting his wife. Ody.,15.418-443.
45 Ody., 24.178-206. 479.
46 Though Athena tries to cast suspicion on Penelope by telling Telemachus that Penelope “is flawless...yet she may try to carry off some treasures...forget her husband...and children...and enrich house of new Lord,” as if she were Helen, in true action and deed, Penelope is seen, in these eulogies as the ideal, flawless, and faithful, mourning wife, who longs for the safe return of her beloved Odysseus. Ody., 15.1-29. Helen, on the other hand, eulogizes Hektor rather than Paris. Helen, too, mourns for Hektor and for herself. After Hektor’s death, she feels she is left alone, without any kind friends, surrounded by Trojans who cringe and loathe her. Il., 24.888-912.
47 Ody., 24.178-206. 479.
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