Penelope and Odysseus

             Within the safe boundaries that encage women during the time period of ancient Greece, Penelope's cunningness rivals that of Odysseus. Penelope, although a women, shows many traits that are believed to be not possible for women. In book 19, the clever side of Penelope is revealed when she tells all the suitors she is weaving a shroud for Laertes, Odysseus's father, and once it is finished she will pick a suitor to marry. Working on the shroud during the day, and then unweaving it at night by candlelight to further prolong the time, Penelope keeps the suitors at bay while buying time in hopes that Odysseus would return to her clever plan is revealed. This shows not only her ability to fool the suitors, but also validates how far Penelope is willing to go in order to remain loyal to Odysseus.
             The first moment where Penelope suspects Odysseus will be coming home is in book 17. Upon the return of Telemachus, who is now tougher and braver than ever, she is told that Odysseus is alive and will be home any day. She comments that if he does perhaps return that he will avenge the outrage that has become her home. Upon this statement, she hears Telemachus' loud sneeze, almost as if it were an acclamation. It is plausible that Penelope takes these odd occurrences as signs from the Gods, leading her to start considering the actual possibility of Odysseus coming home.
             Upon experiencing such signs, Penelope starts to be very attentive to what goes on within and around her house. She requests to speak to the beggar who supposedly knows information about her sweet husband. However, the beggar delays the conversation until sundown and Penelope remarks how "he is no fool" and is very cautious of his actions. At this moment she realizes his vigilance, a trait similar to Odysseus. Next, she begins to question her son, wondering why he his manners have gone astray and why he is permitting the stranger to be so abused by the suitors.