Final answer:
Menelaus is portrayed as a sympathetic warrior king in the Iliad, with a personal motive for war. In contrast, his brother Agamemnon is a more commanding figure with a more complex and sometimes cruel character.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Homer's Iliad, Menelaus is depicted as a capable warrior and king but lacks the imposing presence and authority of his brother, Agamemnon. Menelaus' character is often seen as more sympathetic compared to Agamemnon. While Agamemnon is a more formidable leader, often assertive and forceful, his character is also marked by his arrogance and occasional cruelty, particularly towards Achilles, which ultimately leads to significant conflict. In contrast, Menelaus' role in the Iliad is driven by the personal stake of reclaiming his wife, Helen, from Troy, which sets the war in motion.
Though less dominant than Agamemnon, Menelaus still exhibits strong leadership and loyalty to the Greek cause. However, unlike Agamemnon, Menelaus does not have the narrative weight or the depth of character complexity that his brother does, and this is evident in their respective interactions and decisions within the epic.