Penelope seems to be a female version of Odysseus in many aspects. Upon comparing her to the other female characters in The Odyssey, it is not hard to tell that her beauty and intelligence are surpassed by only Circe and Calypso, if not equal to them. It is also admirable that she is tremendously mournful about Odysseus's "death", and staves off being wedded to one of the many suitors eating her out of house and home. In the opening chapters of The Odyssey Penelope is angry, frustrated, and helpless. She misses her husband, Odysseus. She worries about the safety of her son, Telemachos. Her house is overrun with arrogant men who are making love to her servants and eating her out of house and home, all the while saying that they are courting her. Yet, she stays strong through out the hold situation, and hopes that Odysseus will come home one day and make things right. It is interesting to note that the women who did not believe that Odysseus would ever return to Ithaca were later killed. .
Something else worth noting is that the women Odysseus comes across in his journey are all incredibly gorgeous, and in a position of power, even if you include Penelope. Nausicaa and Arete are royalty in Phaiacia, while Circe and Calypso are goddesses. Another intriguing piece of information is that Odysseus passes up the opportunity to stay with both Circe and Calypso, even when Calypso offers to make him immortal. However, when he says no to their offers, they do not try and force him to stay and actually help him along his voyage. This contrasts rather starkly with Penelope's behavior towards the end of the novel. After Odysseus has finished killing all the suitors, and the nurse brings Penelope down to see him, she acts as if it is not him. To the normal man, this kind of insolence would make him question why he had tried for twenty years to return to his home and this woman. Yet this is not the case with Odysseus.
Soon after, we start to see Penelope act even more peculiar. ... Penelope clearly is suspicious and is up to something. Next, Penelope gets the chance to finally speak to the beggar. ... They embraced each other lovingly and felt great joy for finally they were united again. ... The marriage of Penelope and Ody...
The story is comical parody of the original tale with Penelope narrating in the 'Underworld'. ... He is seen as the archetypal hero, loving husband and father whose only wish is to return home. ... In the Odyssey, Penelope is seen as the typical Ancient Greek dutiful and devoted wife. ... Hence, the negating personalities of Penelope are disclosed in Penelopiad and the Odyssey. ... Furthermore, Penelope also asserts, 'It's a wonder either of us believed what the other said But we did'. ...
Penelope was the paragon of marital devotion and fidelity. Penelope showed us exactly of how women's character was to be played out. ... A quality in which Penelope was blessed with. ... Intelligence is shown to us by Penelope all throughout the books. ... Penelope continues to remain devoted to him and only him. ...
Penelope was the paragon of marital devotion and fidelity. Penelope showed us exactly of how women's character was to be played out. ... A quality in which Penelope was blessed with. ... Intelligence is shown to us by Penelope all throughout the books. ... Penelope continues to remain devoted to him and only him. ...
This concept is shown through the epic's two main characters, Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus is unfaithful to his wife Penelope. ... "(5.250-251) Odysseus tells Calypso , "look at my wise Penelope. ... Odysseus is unfaithful to his wife Penelope. ... "(5.250-251) Odysseus tells Calypso , "look at my wise Penelope. ...
This concept is shown through the epic's two main characters, Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus is unfaithful to his wife Penelope. ... "(5.250-251) Odysseus tells Calypso , "look at my wise Penelope. ... Odysseus is unfaithful to his wife Penelope. ... "(5.250-251) Odysseus tells Calypso , "look at my wise Penelope. ...
One of the differences is the scenes in which the suitors compete for Penelope. ... Penelope came up with the archery contest on her own. ... In The Dream Weaver Penelope is awake during the battle. ... She also directs him to kill all of the suitors: "Penelope [as though in a trance]. ... Penelope [violently], Yes, yes!...
Penelope, Odysseus" wife, embodies the virtue of loyalty best. ... Penelope resists the favorable advances of the rich and powerful suitors with her cunning tactics. ... Penelope weaves a shroud for her father in law, King Laertes. ... They think that this will not take Penelope a long time but what they do not know is that Penelope does not want to give up hope that her husband Odysseus is still alive. ... Penelope and Odysseus exemplify this in the beginning of The Odyssey. ...
Penelope waits, patiently, desperately, anxiously. ... On Ithaca, Penelope receives opportunities to forget Odysseus and to move on. ... Penelope may love Odysseus but he portrays actions that side against the mutual feeling. ... Do you think he loves Penelope in the right ways? ... At least Penelope was faithful to her spouse, unlike Odysseus. ...
