Oenone is a melancholic heroine

“Oenone” is a very melancholic and sad poem. Oenone is the central character or heroine, and she is also a melancholic person. She suffers devastation because she was abandoned by Paris. Paris left her and decided to go after Helen, the most beautiful woman. As a result, Oenone became very depressed, and she complained to her mother; this poem is like a lament. Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote this poem before 1833, and it was one of his earliest poems where he dealt with a Greek mythological character. Later, he also wrote “The Lotos-Eaters,” “Ulysses,” and “Tithonus,” all of which are based on Greek mythology.

In the poem “Oenone,” we find that Oenone is complaining to her mother about her suffering in life. She is a very sad character, and she narrates the entire story. The god Ares gave an apple to Paris, stating that he would be the judge. Three goddesses desired the apple, and it was up to Paris to decide who would receive it. Hera, the wife of Zeus, promised that if Paris gave her the apple, she would grant him power, making him ruler of the world. Aphrodite promised that she would give Paris the most beautiful woman in the world. Pallas was the third goddess who promised to give Paris knowledge and wisdom. However, Oenone wanted Paris to accept the offer of the goddess Pallas because knowledge and wisdom can make life beautiful. However, Paris was not interested, and he chose Aphrodite’s offer, which ultimately led to Oenone's suffering and destruction.

Tennyson used Greek mythology in a modern way and made “Oenone” a deeply melancholic poem. He portrayed Oenone as a sad woman who suffered injustice, and the poet wanted to draw the reader's attention to the sufferings of this beautiful character.

Life was not fair to Oenone, as she loved Paris deeply and was always faithful to him. In contrast, Paris was neither a good man nor a devoted lover. He easily abandoned Oenone for the promise of getting a beautiful wife. This betrayal was even more painful for Oenone because she was pregnant with Paris’ child, and he left her at the time she would give birth to their baby.

“Oenone” is a sad and painful poem that also conveys moral lessons. It portrays the injustice men have done to women throughout generations. What Aphrodite offered Paris was not love but a destructive temptation.