The Penelopiad
by Margaret Atwood
Beauty versus Brains: The Antithetical Characterizations of Penelope and Helen
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood is a contemporary work seen
through the eyes of one of the most overlooked characters in The Odyssey – Penelope. In the novella,
we get a clear glimpse of the events before, during, and after the Trojan War
which may seem insignificant in the epic narrative, but are actually important
to the characterization of Penelope. And in the story, we slowly come into
terms with the fact that tension exists between Penelope and her cousin: Helen.
It seems logical for Penelope to have a grudge on her cousin because, after
all, it was Helen’s fault that Odysseus, Penelope’s husband, went away for
20-long years (79). The tension, as the text suggests, alludes to their
antithetical natures. And while the antithetical characterization is only
limited to the two characters’ means of getting what they want, it still
warrants further analysis because it greatly affected the way the two women had
coped when they were still alive. One appeals greatly to the use of the human
mind, wit, and intellect; while the other one, drawing on the power of beauty,
relies heavily on the allure, appeal, and charm of the human body.
During
their lifetimes, Penelope and Helen disliked each other. It may not be explicit
but the snide remarks they often exchange with one another is indicative of a
passive-aggressive relationship. Even in Ashpodel, Penelope manages to comment
– harshly – on Helen’s carnal instincts and predilections while simultaneously
humbling herself as a normal-looking-yet-smart individual (21). Viewed differently,
the entire novella seems like Penelope’s justification that brains is the new
beauty, immensely comparing her own wit and intelligence to Helen’s beauty. Even
during Penelope’s wedding, Helen had managed to offer snide remarks to
Penelope. One of the best examples of Helen’s cruel remarks is how it was good
for Penelope to marry a “clever man like Odysseus” (implying that Penelope is
smart as well); while subsequently implying that she (Helen) is not so
intelligent herself – “They say [Odysseus] is very clever […] so you’ll be able
to understand what he says. I certainly
never could!” (34). One could even assert that their relationship is
similar to that of contemporary tropes like the
frumpy nerd and the popular girl with a nemetic undertone. Going back, it is clear
in the text that Penelope had used her intelligence to great extent like: (1)
prolonging her decision to marry one of the suitors by weaving a shroud during
the day and then unfurling it during the night (109-119), (2) realizing that
the Beggar was actually Odysseus in disguise and joining in on the plan without
letting Odysseus and Telemachus know that she is aware of the ruse, (3)
ordering Eurycleia, Odysseus’ old maidservant, to wash the Beggar-King, and (4)
setting-up the shoot-an-arrow-through-the-axe-heads-using-Odysseus’-longbow
contest. On the other hand, Helen’s
sublime beauty still transcends even in the afterlife. For this instance, Helen
prides her beauty in ways like: (1) dressing herself in full Trojan regalia
because men keep on conjuring her up in the present (20), (2) bathing in front
of an audience (154) and teasing them ever so slightly with a peek of her
breasts (21), and (3) taking pride on how many men shed blood for her beauty
(155-6).
While
it is important to note that the two characters have their own ways of showing
their unique and strongest traits, it is noteworthy to pinpoint that both of
their means ultimately led to one thing – death. In Helen’s case, her beauty
literally sparked the beginning of the Trojan War and the subsequent deaths of
tens of thousands of people. On the other hand, Penelope’s intelligence caused
the demise of 12 loyal maidservants. Although 12 seems insignificant to
thousands of people, the 12 maidservants were quite near and dear to Penelope.
In other words, Penelope and Helen’s propensity to use their ‘special gifts’
had a deadly effect on other people. This just goes to show that both are
essentially destructive in excessive amounts. Despite all of this, Penelope and
Helen continue to passive-aggressively fight, again, regarding this matter
(153-156). Ultimately, their antithetical characterizations, burdensome during
their life, had remained so even in the afterlife.