The Strong Character of Penelope in Homers Odyssey Essay

The Strong Character of Penelope in Homers Odyssey Homers Odyssey is a story of the homecoming of Odysseus after the Trojan War. Odysseus left his wife, Penelope, and their young son, Telemachos, almost twenty years before the telling of this story to fight in the Trojan War. His absence places Penelope in a rather precarious position. Faced with many different circumstances, both good and bad, Penelope is on her own to decide the path she wishes to take. Depending on her decisions, the situations could either be filled with wonderful opportunities or perilous dangers. The strong character of Penelope is revealed by her decisions. While Odysseus is away from home, Penelope finds herself playing the role of dutiful wife†¦show more content†¦For my mother, against her will, is beset by suitors... (Odyssey 2.50). Assuming that Odysseus had died in the course of the war, they wish to marry her, although no news has yet been delivered as to Odysseus true fate. Meanwhile, the suitors are eating all her food, killing off all her livestock, and generally using up all the resources of the household (Odyssey 1.248-251). Elders of the town suggest Penelope forget her pride and go home to her father and for him to arrange a new wedding for her. Let him urge his mother to go back to her fathers, / and they shall appoint the marriage and arrange for the wedding presents... (Odyssey 2.195-196) Thus, the suitors pose multiple dangers for Penelope. If the suitors ruin all the households resources, or if one were to successfully persuade her to marry him, she would lose her power position. Likewise, if the resou rces run out and she is forced to move back in with her father, she would lose both her power position and her autonomy. Along with the suitors, Penelope also faces possible dangers from her own son. Even though Telemachos is not in support of sending Penelope back to her father, he does not fail to underestimate and otherwise disregard her. Following with the typical Greek mindset, Telemachos views women as inherently inferior to men. This view includes how he sees his mother. He automatically assumes that she cannot run aShow MoreRelated The Role of Women in the Odyssey Essay1212 Words   |  5 PagesWomen in The Odyssey Homer wrote the classic epic The Odyssey more than 2,500 years ago. At that time in ancient Greek society, as well as in the whole of the ancient world, the dominant role was played by men. Society was organized, directed, and controlled by men, and it was accepted that women occupied a subservient and inferior position. Women, of course, were valued, but were expected to possess certain traits and perform certain tasks that men demanded of them. Does Homers writing in TheRead MoreThe Odyssey, by Homer Essay1150 Words   |  5 PagesHomer’s Odyssey was written around 700 BC. 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