Character Comparison: Esther and Rut/s (however you want to say it)

     Comparing Esther and Rut/s, it's very interesting how they are so similar, and yet so different. Esther starts out as a quiet, passive girl living with her uncle after her parents' deaths. She follows the rules and does everything as she is told. Mordechai being a leader of the Jews, she is also constantly and consistently exposed to Judaism throughout her life (even with the secular influences of the time).
     Rut/s, on the other hand, is completely different. She grows up around her own people in Moav. Even after she marries Naomi's son, they stay in Moav for another decade. She is not around any real Judaism at all, especially as Elimelech and his family had left the Jews in Beit Lechem and specifically come away from them to Moav. Still, from the first time we hear of anyone actually doing anything, she is already taking initiative. She basically forces her mother-in-law to take her along when she returns to Beit Lechem, even when Orpah goes back and Naomi tries as hard as she possibly can to convince her to stay behind. Not only does she not give up on going with Naomi, she even takes on Naomi's religion as her own, knowing that even still, she will be ostracized and and be looked at negatively by everyone else.
     Once she begins to grow on her own and to take initiative, however, Esther is very much like Rut/s. They both figure out what needs to be done and do it. Esther begins to lead and to tell others what needs to be done, even to the point at which Achashverosh himself looks to her for advice and approval (According to Hazony). Rut/s takes it upon herself to go find food and supplies when she and Naomi arrive in Beit Lechem with nothing, and Naomi is just sitting there doing nothing. She doesn't know a single person there other than her mother-in-law, yet she goes out and does what needs to be done.