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Medea and Penelope
Euripides and Homer are said to be two of the four cornerstones of ancient literary education. The former, Euripides, known as one of the great
tragedians of classical Athens produced approximately ninety–two plays, but was rejected by most of his contemporaries during his lifetime. Euripides
was the п¬Ѓrst of his time to portray a woman as a sympathetic character and a victim of society. Homer is known as the greatest ancient Greek epic
poet. His most famous works being the Iliad and the Odyssey. Both of these ancient authors used strong women in their works. In Euripides Medea, the
main character of the same name is a force to be
reckoned with. The play starts out just after the divorce of Jason and Medea. Jason has left Medea for ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In so far as you helped me, you did well enough. But on this question of saving me, I can prove you have certainly got more from me mor than you
gave." [517–523, pg. 627] Jason does not feel as if he owes anything at all to Medea, thus bringing her eventual breakdown and irrational behavior to
the hilt. Although Medea may have been wronged by Jason, this still does not excuse her
ultimate act of revenge towards Jason. She is so set on getting back at him that she commits the most heinous of acts. She murders her two children.
Jason's acts may have pushed her over the edge of sanity, but one can argue that even an insane person would take their own life over the lives of their
own children. This brings the insanity to a whole new level. Medea is a strong and determined woman. She is determined to exact her
revenge on Jason by any means possible. Euripides voiced the fear of her cunning mind through Kreon when he said "I am afraid of you [...] Afraid
that you may injure my daughter mortally. [...] You are a clever woman, versed in evil arts, and are angry at having lost your husband's love."
(280–284, pg 622) The fact that a male character would say something of this caliber says something about the roles of women during this time. Even
though they are still seen as second class citizens to the men, a smart woman is feared. Ultimately Medea's strength is tested and she becomes crazed
with
jealousy and acts of
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Penelope, By Penelope And Odysseus
Penelope, Son of Laertes
Jose Vasquez
Mostly throughout the Odyssey, Penelope and Odysseus struggle against the idea of possessing an incomplete home or not being at home for a long
time. However, after accepting defeat for a long period of time, the two begin quest out to resolve their problems, and in the process, the two illustrate
similar aspects of how to resolve a situation involving errors within an oikos. In other words, I am claiming that Penelope utilizes the same manner of
defense as Odysseus when she is in unfavorable situation involving the two's oikos. In this paper, I will argue that Penelope is the female version of
Odysseus because Penelope upholds the customs of her time to avoid shame originating from her suitors, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
With shame attached to his name, he loses his honor as hero. As a result, the two immortal creatures allow Odysseus to leave their because they had
realized that winning the heart of the hero with cunning tactics is impossible. This is the exact manner of defense Penelope utilizes to prevent any
marriage to occur with the suitors. She uses the custom of fidelity as a defense mechanism by stating that she will break her fidelity with another
suitor when she finishes weaving her web. With her utilizing the defense mechanism, she is leading the suitors to feel like they have a chance and
resulting them to leave her in peace, and allowing time for Odysseus to come back assuming he is still alive. To continue, Penelope desires to restore
her oikos with her heroic patience. For instance, Penelope desperately desires for her oikos to be complete by having her son, Telemachus, and
husband, Odysseus, back home in Ithaca, "But now my son, my darling boy–the whirlwinds have ripped him out of the halls without a trace! I never
heard he'd gone– not even from you, you hard, heartless ... not one of you even thought to rouse me from my bed, though well you knew when he
boarded that black ship" (4:819–824). With already losing her husband for ten years, she is informed that her son, Telemachus, has left Ithaca and the
suitors plan to ambush
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What Is The Role Of Penelope In The Odyssey
Penelope serves as one of the most crucial characters within the Odyssey. She one of the few driving forces for our main protagonist's journey home
and she is also an exemplar model of female character breaking the mold of the damsel in distress. She actually takes it upon herself to take command,
to some extent, of her own situation while her husband is presumably making his way back home from war. Penelope even matches Odysseus in
craftiness and sly personality. For example, Penelope had told the suitors that she would assume a new husband after she was done weaving a shroud,
but she would secretly unweave her progress every night. This behavior is a reoccurring theme. Penelope sets up other tests, such as having to shoot an
arrow through ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Agamemnon had fought in the Trojan war, just as Odysseus had but when he returned home he was stuck down by his own spouse. When Odysseus
meets Agamemnon in the underworld, Agamemnon recounts about his death when he states, "I lifted my hands and beat the ground as I lay dying
with a sword in my chest, but that bitch, my wife, turned her back on me and would not shut my eyes or close my lips as I was going down to
Death" (Book 11, Lines 439–443). This brief tale alludes to Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. In both cases, the male figure's downfall is a
direct causation of their female counterpart. In fact, there exists a blatant dichotomy between the relationship of Odysseus and Penelope the
relationship between Adam and Eve. As seen in the passage above, Eve was purely created to accompany Adam and to serve as his partner. In the
context of the relationship, Eve causes a downward trajectory for the pair. Both Adam and Eve were living in the best conditions, in God's
hand–crafted garden, but this is stripped from them due to her inquisitive nature. In the beginning of the Odyssey, we see that Odysseus and Penelope
are at a low point, but Odysseus utilizes the thought of Penelope to fuel his rise. These two relationships drastically differ from each other, but they
also share some similarity. Both female characters are depicted as subordinate beings. In the Genesis,
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Analysis Of Margaret Atwood 's The Penelopiad
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author and poet. She is the author of more than forty books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays (margareatwood.ca)
and is very popular in the feminist community due to her novels focusing on women's culture and viewpoint. The Penelopiad is a novel written by
Atwood that tells the myth of the famous Greek king Odysseus from his wife Penelope's point of view. The reader–response theory is the best way to
interpret this novel. This theory is a form of literary criticism that depends on the reader's response to the text. Each reader will have a similar but
slightly different experience from the text. This novel contains experiences most can relate to or will relate to in their future and receive a lesson
from it. Perspective is very important in this novel. How it is interpreted is dependent upon who is reading it. There is not a single meaning to this
novel but many. As a child, Penelope's father had attempted to drown her but she was saved by ducks and was ultimately nicknamed Duck by her
family. Afterwards, her father became overly affectionate towards her seemingly out of guilt. Her mother was very absent–minded and not consistently
proactive in her life. Many people have had issues from or in their childhood. Many have also had traumatic experiences as a child and understanding
why these things happened is rare and this often permanently affects lives. Penelope was described as intelligent instead of beautiful while her cousin,
Helen, was
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Use Of Penelope's Voice In The Odyssey
Lingyan Xie
Justice
No Truth in Story–telling
"Margaret Atwood gives voice to Penelope, one of antiquity's most infamous heroines, so that she can tell her story at last and set the record straight
once and for all" (Canongate). The quotation printed at the back of The Penelopiad gives a concise motivation why Margaret Atwood writes the book:
Atwood uses Penelope's voice to tell the readers how she is wronged in Homer's Odyssey. Although the narrator Penelope dominates the book, the
twelve hanged maids also interpose their own opinion in prose and rhymes. However, it is not hard for the readers to find out that the two
perspectives contradict one another, the maids' voice is often used as a counterpoint to Penelope's, when it comes to why the maids are hanged. Since
The Penelopiad is all about Penelope, then why does Atwood employ the maids' voice which causes ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
"In the mornings, our eyes darkened by lack of sleep, we'd exchange smiles of complicity, and here and there a quick squeeze of the hand...neither
they nor I could take their servile behavior seriously" (114 ). From the vivid description of how close Penelope and the maids are, it can be seen that
Penelope does not only treat the maids with superiority, but also Penelope truly treats and loves the maids as if they were sisters. Later, according to
Penelope, when the suitors come, Penelope assigns the maids to be her spies by ingratiating themselves with the suitors. When comes the turning point
that Penelope decides to tell the returning, furious Odysseus all about the plan, she is drugged to sleep. "It was my fault!" (160). Throughout the
whole book, Penelope frequently expresses her sorrow and dismay about the hanging of the maids. It is as if Penelope herself were a victim in the
hanging of the maids, she is helpless and heartbroken when Odysseus kills her sister–like
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Odysseus and Penelope Essay
Odysseus and Penelope
Odysseus and Penelope are the best two example of what it really means to be human because of their great courage to overcome all obstacles for a
greater cause. There is not one true definition on what it means to be human, but the most knowledgeable definition of "human" is to be created in the
image of God. The attributes that really set humans apart from all the other animals on earth are imagination, reason, and will. These three human
faculties make us who we are because we have the ability to counter plate our own mortality. Dr. Davis stated, "You cannot love another person without
imagination" You have to first realize what their desires are and what they want in life. The most critical aspect of... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
In book five Odysseus is presented with a very great and tempting barrier. Calypso confronts him with this statement, "But if you only knew, down
deep, what pains are fated to fill your cup before you reach that shore, you'd stay right here, preside in our house with me and be immortal." She
promised him that he would possess a trait that no other human in the odyssey has, immortality. Even though her offers are very tempting and would
be self fulfilling, he promptly rejects because all he wants is to go home and the love of his life, Penelope. This act alone shows that he was willing to
give himself and up for a greater cause. He showed great discipline and faithfulness to reject Calypso's offer and to continue on his journey home. At
the beginning of the epic, Odysseus did have one flaw that could have been detrimental to his homecoming journey and that was self–glorification. By
the end of the Odyssey, Odysseus overcame his pride and tempered it with patience because at the end of the day he didn't really know that Penelope
would be waiting on him, but he was willing to put in the effort to find out what was at the end of the road. Penelope, just as Odysseus, portrayed the
great human trait of patience. She did what it took to fend off the suitors with hope that her husband would come back for her. Penelope didn't give up
hope because she felt in heart that Odysseus would come
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Telemachus Treatment Of Women In The Odyssey
In Homer's The Odyssey Penelope is shown to uphold the patriarchal Greek societal values. Penelope, Odysseus' wife and the queen of Ithaca, is
often overshadowed and ruled by people that have less authority. In the beginning, there is a gathering at the palace. A bard begins to sing and
Penelope starts to sob after being reminded of Troy. Telemachus immediately steps in and orders his mother to go up to her room and tells her that
he is the man of the house now, saying, "So mother, go back to your quarters, tend to your own tasks...I hold the reigns of power in this house"
(Homer 89). When Telemachus says "I hold the reins of power in this house" Homer is revealing that Telemachus has the power in the house, over his
mother, and over all of... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Telemachus exclaims that he has the power, he further illustrates how he has power over his mother because he is a male in a male–dominated society.
Additionally, he has direct control over his mother despite the fact that she is older.Penelope is cast aside and dominated by her son and conforms to
the patriarchal values, despite plotting schemes against some of the men. She upholds the Greek values, as her role as a woman is clearly defined, as
shown through how she does what Telemachus tells her to do and does not come between the males' problems and affairs. Another instance in which
Penelope upholds the patriarchal Greek values is in The Penelopiad, an account of The Odyssey, which shows the events of The Odyssey in the eyes of
Penelope. In the beginning, Odysseus and Telemachus kill the maids, Penelope was mentioned to had "slept through the mayhem" because she had
been given a drug by Eurycleia to keep her out of the action and stop her from interfering. To further ensure that Penelope does not get in the way of
the killing of the maids, "Odysseus made sure that all the women were locked securely into the women's quarter", including Penelope.
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What Role Does Penelope Play In The Odyssey
In book 2 of the Odyssey, Odysseys' family is being drained of its wealth by a crowd of suitors wishing to marry Penelope. While nobody is without
fault in this situation I believe that Penelope plays a large role in causing the unfavorable situation the family is in by her being deceptive towards the
suitors.
While suitors were being held in the company of Odysseys' family Penelope decides to deceive the suitors by saying she will announce who she
would marry by the time she finishes he weaving. Penelope would weave and unweave for years putting a burden on the family as they were caring
for the suitors for all that time. This stalling no doubt put a burden on the family as they would have to provide for the suitors as they were waiting for
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Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
Telemachia frames the character of Penelope, wife of protagonist Odysseus, through her loyalty her husband. Telemachia presents Penelope as the
epitome of faithfulness by giving her a storyline that consistently tests it. In the books, Penelope's home has been flooded by suitors seeking her hand
in marriage for years after Odysseus' disappearance, as her son, Telemakhos tells Athena they "are here courting my mother... Spurn them she dare not,
though she hates that marriage, nor can she bring herself to choose among them." (1.293, 1.295–296.) Through the initial exposition of Penelope's
resistance to the suitors, her unfailing loyalty to Odysseus is established early in the poem. Penelope's other important character traits are also revealed
through
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Penelope In The Penelopiad
Atwood's take on the character of Penelope in The Penelopiad first describes her as an average and modest woman with a single defining trait of
intelligence, whereas Odysseus is introduced to the story as a cheat and a thief. In due time, Odysseus leaves to fight in the war against Troy, and
then starts his ten year voyage back to Ithaca. However, in the twenty years he was gone, Penelope has learned to independently manage the land, and
use her wits to trick the Suitors and learn of their plans. When Odysseus finally returns home, Penelope knows to not reveal his true identity and
doesn't tell him of her deceptive ways. The two characters have flipped traits in this way, as now Penelope is the master of tricks and Odysseus
follows her lead.
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Penelope In The Odyssey Essay
The Strong Character of Penelope in Homer's Odyssey
Homer's 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 on Helpwriting.net ...
"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 father's, / 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 household's
resources, or if one were to successfully persuade her to marry him, she would lose her power position. Likewise, if the resources 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 a
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Strengths And Weaknesses Of Odysseus
Characters respond to their challenges differently based upon their strengths, weaknesses, and motives. Penelope had a lot in her hands with the
suitors wanting to take her hand in marriage. she handled her situation using her cleverness and tricking the suitors into waiting seven years. In the
other hand, Cyplso wanted to keep Odyssues in her island forever because she wanted him all to herself. She had to use her powers and and her
position as goddess and tell Odysseus if he stays he can have whatever he wants and grant him king of the island. They both had their advantages that
worked out for Penelope and worked out for Cylpso with odysseus for quite some time. Below are the differences and strengths that Penelope as human
and Cylpso as ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
For Penlope it was her cleverness that tricked the suitors to wait ten years for her hand in marriage with her little white lie that she had made up. For
Cylpso she had used her goddess's like powers and told Odyssues that she will make him king of the island and grant him whatever he wants.
Penelope not having powers had helped her go through hundreds of suitors to stall so Odyssues can return to her and the suitors will wait. As for
Cylpso she responded that giving Odyssues whatever he wants is a good idea to make him stay and she will make him king, so she told him that.
Meaning that. Penelope handled her challenge by tricking the suitors to wait, meanwhile Cylpso was trying to trick Odyssues into staying that only
lasted her seven years when Odysseus realized it was time to go
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Odysseus Compare And Contrast Penelope And The Suitors
The stories found in Greek mythology are often the subjects of both visual and literary works. The myth of Penelope and Odysseus and their
eventful marriage is one such story. Penelope is the daughter of Icarius and Periboea and the wife of Odysseus. Odysseus was sent to fight in the
Trojan War the day his son was born. After the war, he angered the gods by not thanking them, so he was lost at sea for ten years after the war while
trying to get back to Ithaca. Their son, Telemachus, helps her protect their house from the suitors who are trying to takeOdysseus's throne. In the
painting Penelope and the Suitors, John Williams Waterhouse uses the scene where Penelope is being harassed by the suitors to show that she is
irritated with the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He started studying at the Royal Academy in London and married Esther Kenworthy in 1883 then moved to St. John's Wood. They lived in a purpose
built artistic colony ."Early in his career his works appeared similar to the the works of Sir Lawrence Alma–Tadema" and he painted many distinctive
painting and was influenced by many talented artist before him. He produced over 200 paintings during his lifetime including "The Lady of
Shalott," "Boreas," and,"The Crystal Ball." " He painted many excellent portraits of women". His paintings were rich for their color, and was
neglected through most of the 20th century. He produced works of mythological and literary themes through the 1890s and 1900s. He taught at
St. John's Wood art school between 1892 and 1913. He left no diaries or journals, and died of cancer in 1917. In the poem "Penelope", Dorothy
Parker lines 1 through 5 explain how Odysseus is on his voyage home which is shown when it states "he shall ride the silver seas." In lines 5
through 10 of the poem Parker tells of Penelope doing daily things as if everything is normal, this is revealed when the poem says "Brew my tea, and
snip my thread". The mood of the poem is confident because Penelope still does everything as if Odysseus was there because she wanted nothing out
of place in case he
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Penelope Odysseus Quotes
Have you ever felt lost or alone? Penelope has. In the story The Odyssey written by Homer, Odysseus is a man who travels a 20 year journey after
the fall of Troy. Odysseus's wife Penelope however, is left behind with her and Odysseus's son, Telemachus. Penelope lives with only herself and
Telemachus, who she had to raise by herself. Penelope had to deal with many things in the time period when her husband was gone, including having to
ward off many suitors who tried to marry her for her fortune. In the story the Odyssey, Penelope is a very strong, clever, and intelligent person as she
deals with her husband being gone for so long. Penelope is a very strong person, but she is more mentally strong than physically. In the Odyssey,
Odysseus goes to fight the war for 20 years, and leaves Penelope behind. The whole ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
As you know, many suitors came to her and asked her to marry them but she said no. One of the clever ways she got out of marriage was when she
told the a suitor that after she finished weaving she would marry him, but the suitor did not know that after she wove, she would just keep starting
over so that the weaving would never end. Penelope was also very clever when she asked the maid to move her bed outside into the hall. This was
clever because Penelope knew that if it were really Odysseus he would know that that would not be possible because Odysseus made the bed
himself, and would know that it's built into the house. In book 23, the author exclaims, "Their secret! as she heard it told, her knees grew tremulous
and weak, her heart failed her. With eyes brimming tears she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him,..." (Homer 1164). This
quote shows that Penelope's trick worked because Odysseus knew that she couldn't move it, so Penelope knew that it was really Odysseus. Penelope
was very happy that Odysseus was home and begged for his forgiveness for her not believing that it was really
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Who Is Penelope The Great Wife In The Odyssey
In the Odyssey, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, while mourning the loss of her husband had to endure the endless pursuit of the many suitors who
sought her hand in marriage with the intent of ruling all of Ithaca. Penelope was a great wife because she was smart, faithful, and clever. By her using
her cleverness to deceive the suitors, together with using her intelligence to outsmart them, proved her faithfulness to her husband. These things
together made Penelope the great wife that she was. Penelope was clever. One of the key points to her being such a marvelous wife was her
cleverness. Her cleverness was shown most strikingly when she led on the suitors into believing she was going to select one of them after
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Penelope In The Poem Penelope By Dorothy Parker
The Allegiance of Penelope
Penelope is the wife of the Ithica king, Odysseus, and is known for her fidelity towards Odysseus while he is away to fight the Trojan War. She is left
in Ithaca to tend to and heed the needs of the island while raising her son Telemachus, all while being bombarded with suitors whom yearn for her
attention and hand in marriage. Penelope endured her loyalty to Odysseus until his return 20 years later. In the painting Penelope and the Suitors, John
William Waterhouse uses the woman, Penelope, sitting in the center of a room surrounded by several people handing her flowers to show that
distance does not matter if two hearts are loyal to one another, while in her Poem "Penelope", Dorothy Parker uses the same scene to ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
"John William Waterhouse Biography" claims "Making several trips to Italy and continental Europe during the 1870s and 80s, Waterhouse found
inspiration for his paintings and began to produce large watercolors using classical compositions and the Pre–Raphaelite concepts of beautiful women
who were ultimately tragic or powerful." He produced several pieces of mythological and literary themes in 1890–1900("John William Waterhouse").
His paintings contained realistic and natural settings, symbolism, vivid color schemes, and vivid light(Artble.com). Waterhouse's paintings contained
rich and glowing color, it depicted many dramatic and beautiful women, and revealed damsels in distress("John William Waterhouse"). His styles were
a mix between Neoclassical themes and romantic style and he was considered, Artble.com
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Comparing Penelope And Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey
The first reason which I think that Penelope and Odysseus are a good match is because of loyalty. Penelope is very loyal to Odysseus while he is
gone for twenty years. Many suitors come to her and try and make her believe that they are actually Odysseus.
The second reason which I think that Penelope and Odysseus are a good match is because of Penelope's cleverness. Penelope is very clever in many
ways during odysseus' absence. Everyone thinks that Odysseus is dead and he will never come back and that is the cause for many suitors to go to
Penelope's home and try to convince her to become their wife. The two main things that make Penelope very clever are the two tests she decides to
do on the suitors; the test of bow and the test of the bed. "Here is my lord Odysseus' hunting bow. Bend and string it if you can. Who sends an arrow
through iron axe–helve ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
I join my life with his, and leave this place, my home, my rich and beautiful bridal house, forever to be remembered, though I dream it only." (Homer,
lines 35–40, book 21) This quote is describing what the suitors must do to win her. It is a nearly impossible obstacle that she knows only Odysseus
is capable of doing. The next and final test she does is the test of the bed. "Make up his bed for him, Eurycleia. Place it outside the bedchamber my
lord built with his own hands. Pile the big bed with fleeces, rugs, and sheets of purest linen." and Odysseus reacts by saying, "Woman, by heaven
you've stung me now! Who dared to move my bed? No builder had the skill for that–unless a god came down to turn the trick. No mortal in his best
days could budge it with a crowbar. There is our pact and pledge, our secret sign, built into that bed–my handiwork and no one else's!" (Homer, lines
27–40, book 23) These two quotes
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Superiority Complex In The Penelopiad
The Superiority Complex of Atwood's Penelope Unlike many versions of Helen of Troy, in The Penelopiad Margaret Atwood paints the infamous
woman as a siren, a goddess, and a murderer. By making the reader see Helen's imperfections through Penelope's eyes, new layers are added to this
character so often explored in literature. Helen and Penelope's dynamic relationship adds a layer to not only The Penelopiad, but also to the
male–dominated Odyssey. These factors create a dynamic feminine force that informs both characters: without each other, they would not be as
interesting as they are. Many of Penelope's insecurities come from her own self–reflection, self–image, and experiences. At the very beginning of the
novel she says, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Even Odysseus seems to always go back to her "...why was he still–and possibly always–thinking about Helen?" (Pg. 64, The Penelopiad). Helen
weaves her way in and out of the text as she does with people's lives: effortlessly and without worry for her implications. She is a constant issue for
Penelope, making her feelings for Helen range from admiration to loathing. Penelope simultaneously wants to be Helen and could not imagine ever
being her, creating a tension that looms over the main plot of the novel. The two women have opposite power dynamics, and opposite mentalities on
how to present themselves. Even though Penelope became the image of the perfect, wholesome wife in her death, she still value's Helen's whirlwind
life, leaving Helen to be seen as either the mono–maniacal response Penelope has to her isolation and insecurities, or a challenge and other side to her
own character and
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Character Analysis : ' Penelope '
"Penelope, I shall be back," Odysseus said, about to leave. "Ok," Penelope said, looking at Odysseus, blinking back tears.
"If I don't come back, then you can marry someone else," Odysseus said and left for the plane. Telemachus, still a child, woke up and walked
downstairs for some Captain Crunch. Telemachus rubbing his eyes, saw just his mom standing right next to the front door of the house alone, and
asked, "Mommy, where's Daddy?"
"He's just going away for a bit Telemachus, now let me make you breakfast,"Penelope said with tiny drops of tears rolling down her face, patting
Telemachus.
"Okay," Telemachus said tiredly.
* Back to Present* *
"That was ten years ago and now the war's over and he still hasn't come back," Telemachus said. He was about twenty years old now and talking to his
girlfriend.
"Oh man, that must have been hard on you," Anna, Telemachus' girlfriend said.
"Ah, I wish he'd come back already," Telemachus said glumly.
Suddenly, the door opened.
"You're home!" Penelope said, huggingOdysseus with tears in her eyes.
"Dad!" Telemachus said with his eyes wide opened in shock.
"But, what took you so long?" Penelope said, frustrated.
"Ah, well there were some obstacles on the way back from my long and tiring trip. I'll tell you over lunch," Odysseus said. They gave Odysseus lunch
and he started to talk about his story, "So this is how it started."
* flashback* *
"I don't want to
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Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
In The Odyssey, Odysseus's wife, Penelope, proves herself in many ways that she is the mistress of her own heart because of her ability to control
her reactions in certain situations, and manipulate others. Penelope is Queen of Ithaca. She is the mighty Odysseus's wife, and she has been grieving
over the loss of her husband ever since he left for Troy. Though she hasn't seen her husband in 20 years, and suitors who want to marry her keep lining
up at her door, she still has some faith left for Odysseus's return. The suitors are eating her food, messing up her home, and later plan to kill her son to
get him out of the way. Not only does she take control of these situations, but she is able to hide her depression of her husband's absence by taking ...
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Penelope is able to stay strong while everything around her is falling apart. For instance, book 16 page 202 states, "Infatuate steeped in evil!"
"Madman, why do you keep forever knitting death for Telemakhos? Have you no pity towards dependent on another's mercy?.... Or are you not
aware that your own father fled to us when the realm was up in arms against him? It is Odysseus's house you now consume, his wife you court, his
son you kill, or try to kill." This is when Penelope finds out that someone she trusted and welcomed in her home, Antinoos, is secretly plotting to kill
her only son, Telemakhos. If Penelope didn't take matters into her own hands by confronting him, then she could have lost her son. The loss of her
son, combined with the loss of Odysseus, would have completely devastated her. Though she is crushed inside by Odysseus's departure, she is still
able to follow Odysseus's instructions which are to take care of the house and continue to rule. Penelope's speech to Odysseus shows her ability to take
control of her household and be patient. Penelope's patience is expressed by her ability to deal with all that the suitors have put her through, and still
untiringly await the return of her beloved husband. Overall, Penelope possesses the capability to be authoritative and take control of many situations.
She is also
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Penelope In The Odyssey
As someone who recently read Homer's The Odyssey I was very excited to read this book as I love re–telling of old myths. Like Atwood, I too
struggled to understand or find justice in the treatment of the maids at the end of the Odyssey, so a story telling their side of things is very compelling
for me.
The Penelopiad opens with our heroine Penelope in the afterlife. Penelope explains that she has been long dead and will now tell her side of the
story. She begins at the beginning with her childhood. Born to the king of Sparta and a Naiad, Penelope grew up privileged as a semi–divine noble.
When she was very young her father had her thrown into the sea, in order to avoid a prophecy that she would be his undoing. After being rescued by
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Penelope was only 15 at the time, and the marriage was arranged as was custom. Helen makes an appearance in this chapter, floating in only to insult
Penelope before exiting again. She is depicted as a rather callous and vain character, who relishes the attentions of all. To gain her hand in marriage
Odysseus and many other suitors compete through a running contest. Odysseus wins by drugging the other contestants. Penelope suspects that this
plot was not Odysseus' alone, that he was supported by her uncle. Penelope's uncle, wishes to overthrow the king of Sparta and plots to remove
Penelope and any potential sons she may have from the picture. Odysseus is the perfect means to this as he wishes to change the usual customs
(husband stays with the wife's family) and take Penelope home to Ithaca with him. At their wedding Penelope is nervous as her maids have told
her stories of how horrible sex can be. The consummation of marriage is described by Penelope as a play at a "sanctioned rape", guards are posted
and the woman is expected to attempt to escape. Despite this, Odysseus treats her well and they bond later through sharing of childhood stories.
Throughout these first 50 pages Penelope often reflects on how she was portrayed by history versus how she behaved in actuality. Her reputation as a
modest devoted wife was built on misreadings of the true actions of a child. I really enjoyed how Atwood
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Gender Roles Of Odysseus And Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
Traditional gender roles unfortunately remain an influential part of society today. In some parts of the world, it is illegal for women to do anything
without the permission or sometimes even accompaniment of a male guardian. While it is true that the world has made considerable progress in
eliminating gender stereotypes overall, there is much work that has yet to be done, and people must continue to strive for equality in order to eliminate
unhealthy relationships like that of Odysseus and Penelope in Homer's Odyssey. The epic poem explores Odysseus' unnecessarily long journey home
after helping Greece win the Trojan War while his wife Penelope waits for him in Ithaca. The contrast between Penelope's faithfulness at home and how
Odysseus often strays from his path of return, in many cases by being unfaithful to his wife, highlights the traditional expectations set for men and
women during this time and how differently they are supposed to behave.
Odysseus' yearning for adventure spurs him to explore the many places he encounters without having a need to, causing his route home to be
particularly indirect. After landing on the island of the Cyclops, Odysseus deems it a good idea for him to explore the island, even though he knows
that the people he meet may not be friendly. He takes a group of men to "find out what the mainland natives are– / for they may be wild savages and
lawless, / or hospitable and god fearing men" (Book IX, 187–189). Odysseus is putting himself and
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The Character Of Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
In the Odyssey, written by Homer, there are many prominent female characters. Of these characters, Penelope is my favorite. She is my favorite
because she held her ground while Odysseus was gone. She made it clear that she was not ready to move on. Penelope was faithful to her husband
while he was at war, even when faced with the temptation of her many suitors. She used her intelligence to trick the suitors. All women should be
faithful and strong–willed like Penelope. When Odysseus is at war, Penelope remains faithful to him. He is fighting for ten years, but Penelope never
gives up on him. She patiently awaits his return, even when the world is telling her to move on. Penelope makes it clear to everyone that she will
never give up on her husband. Even when she is tempted by the suitors, she remains strong in her decision. Nothing the suitors say influences her stance.
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Rather than choosing a man, she made them a deal. She would choose one of them when she finished weaving a shroud for her father–in–law, Laertes.
This seems like a normal gesture, as Laertes would have been grieving the loss of his son. The suitors agree to this, and Penelope begins weaving the
shroud. The suitors are unaware that they have just been tricked. During the day, Penelope works tirelessly to weave the shroud. However, at night,
she unweaves what she weaved that day. By doing this, Penelope will never finish the shroud, so she will never choose a suitor. After three years, the
suitors figure out what she has been doing, and they demand that she pick a suitor. Even after this, Penelope comes up with a
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Comparing The Red Room by H.G. Wells and The Darkness Out...
Comparing The Red Room by H.G. Wells and The Darkness Out There by Penelope Lively
The "Red Room" was the earlier of the two stories written in 1896 by H.G. Wells and "The Darkness Out There", written by Penelope Lively was
published in1984.
The titles of both stories suggest that fear or horror will play a part. "The Darkness Out There" generates an eerie feeling by not defining a specific
threat but leaving it open to the imagination. "The Red Room" is not as scary but the use of red often shows danger or fear and this is why it has been
used here.
H.G. Wells does not give his main character a name as it is written in the first person. Penelope Lively gives the girl, Sandra, a name but it ... Show
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In "The Darkness Out There" you are immediately introduced to Sandra. "She walked through flowers, the girl, ox–eye daisies and vetch and cow
parsley" this is a very beautiful setting and everything is perfect. We are also introduced briefly to characters who we later meet again, Mrs Rutter
("She's a dear old thing") and Pat who, although she is not described as very nice looking, runs a "Good neighbours' club" for children. As the story
opens Sandra is on her way to help Mrs Rutter with one of the others from the club although she does not know who that will be.
We are suddenly told about "Packers End and immediately it is clear that it is not a nice place, it was where a German plane had come down
during the war and it was said that people still heard the pilots talking. "You didn't go by yourself through Packers End if you could help it, not after
teatime, anyway." Packers End is described as a "rank place, all whippy saplings and brambles and a gully with a dumped mattress and a bedstead and
an old fridge. And somewhere, presumably, the crumbling rusty scraps of metal and cloth and … bones?"
"The Red Room" however begins in an old dark castle and you are immediately plunged into the story with descriptions and introductions happening
along the way.
The story does not start in The Red Room but in a communal room with a table. This
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Penelope Monologue
On the very last house of Durberry Lane lived two sisters. The first sister's name was MacKenzie. She had tanned skin as if she lived in California
instead of Kansas. Her blonde hair went along with her Californian vibe. The second sister's name was Penelope. She had her sister's blonde hair,
but with chocolate brown eyes and a face painted with freckles. MacKenzie was the golden girl of the school. She was always punctual, did her
work, and was never truant. Penelope was pretty ordinary compared to MacKenzie. Her grades were pretty basic, she didn't play any sports, and she
wasn't necessarily popular either. What Penelope did have going for her is that she loved to sing. She'd spend her freetime singing along to those
cheesy pop songs that were overplayed on every radio station as she used her hairbrush as a microphone. She liked to imagine herself singing for
crowds of thousands, all of them chanting her name.... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The pavilion was covered in graffiti from over the years and the park tables had messages carved into them like "Amy and Henry together forever"
and "Rachel Ludwig is a backstabber. Do not trust her." Penelope sat her stuff down before sitting on one of the benches. Right now, the park was
quiet with her only audience being a jumpy, fat squirrel. Penelope took a deep breath before she closed her eyes and began to quietly sing. As her
song went on her voice grew louder and more confident. She imagined herself being on stage instead of on an old, sticky bench. When she
finished she was shocked to hear the sound of clapping. Her eyes snapped open and she saw a boy standing in front of her, with his bike by this
side. He had scruffy black hair that stuck out from under his orange helmet. His clothes looked like they were made for someone twice his size.
When he finished his clapping he gave her a giant, gapped tooth smile. "You're a really good singer!" he
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What Is Penelope's Loyalty In The Odyssey
What does a faithful person look like to you? A kind and caring person? One who is loyal? One
who would put another's needs above their own? In the book, "The Odyssey," Penelope, (Odysseus'
wife), is all of these things. Penelope demonstrates her faithfulness by waiting for Odysseus, resisting
sexual temptation, and protecting Odysseus from his enemies. First, Penelope waits for Odysseus. She makes up her mind that she will not marry any
other
man, despite the pressure she had been receiving from her suitors. When one of her suitors tells her
that she is to marry him, she tells him that she would like to weave a rug for their home before she
marries him. But Penelope has a plan. Every day, she ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
When some enemy soldiers come to her
house and demand to know Odysseus' whereabouts, she points them in the opposite direction of
where Odysseus had actually gone. The soldiers believe her, and go the opposite way. So she protects
Odysseus even though she could have been killed if the soldiers had found her words to be false. When
Penelope is at her home, she overhears a man telling his comrades of his plan to murder Odysseus.
She stands by the window, listening to the men's voices. She devises another plan to kill the man who
wants to murder her husband. So when no one is around, Penelope brandishes her sword and
kills the imbecil. In this way, she protects her true love from one whose wish was to harm him. As
the end of the war is approaching, Penelope gets word that Odysseus and his men are to
fight one last battle. In hearing this, Penelope prays to Athene, the goddess of war, and convinces her
to help Odysseus win the battle. Athene listens to Penelope, and causes the enemy to be defeated. So
Penelope protects Odysseus by talking Athene into helping their side win. In hearing of these examples, we can come to the conclusion that Penelope
really is faithful
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Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
Hot white lightning flashed across the foreboding sky echoing in the clear blue eyes of the woman sitting, observing the gale before her. Penelope
sat in her dark chambers, one candle lit on the table offering a cold warmth. Everything seemed dark to Penelope after the disappearance of Odysseus.
She stood slowly, the pain of her loss bearing into her bones causing the slight deterioration of her physical and mental state. A goblet of wine was left
untouched from when a servant left it to soothe the queen's frayed nerves. Penelope's mind was a tapestry woven with brilliance and ideas, but with time
sprinting by after Odysseus left for Troy the tapestry had begun to unweave itself, a once brilliant pattern faded with age and longing for a ship ... Show
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Telemakhos, Penelope's only child, had sailed from the island a fortnight ago leaving a weeping mother and suitors who were desperate for her hand
in marriage. Her hands trembled as the pulled back the blankets on her bed. The moon shone a liquid silver onto the floor as Poseidon calmed the seas
and the swirling onyx black mass mollified and settled into a flat plain stretching past the fingertips of the world.
World's held their breath as one single tear rolled down the cheek of a broken queen. Not a sound was uttered as the breath was released and
Penelope wiped her cheeks clean of any sign that she had been mourning as she slid out from between the blankets. She crept through her house,
though it could have been a stranger's without her lord to make it a home. As she stepped onto the soft grass a warm wind whispered in her ears.
Penelope finally reached her destination as the moon reached its acme in the sky. Sand shifted beneath her weight as she climbed down the dunes to
the water. Crouching next to the now placid sea that flowed with the secrets of her family's fate, one soft white hand tentatively reached towards the
water, scooping it up and bring it to her gaunt
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Penelope In The Raven
This is Penelope; she is very kind, loving, passionate, creative, and shy, however, she always has a hard time fitting in with the other birds in her
flock. Penelope is a Eurasian Collared–Dove, and her color is as white as the purest snow, unlike most of the other doves in her flock. However, what
is so different about Penelope is her golden beak, which isn't found in any other Eurasian Collared–Dove species. She belongs to the flock Bellezza.
Penelope had two parents, but they were killed by a hurricane that rapidly formed while they were migrating last year–she misses them greatly for they
were the only ones who saw her true colors. Penelope does have two cousins in the flock, but they don't pay much attention to her, and prefer the
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She hates having to conform to the life of her flock–for she always likes to take the most scenic route when flying, however, the flock just wants to
take the shortest path. Penelope isn't like the members in the flock, for she is creative, adventurous, kind, and cares about all the animals in the
world. Contrastingly, the flock is neither creative, adventurous, nor kind, and they only seems to care about themselves. She fears to leave the
flock, because she doesn't think she can survive on her own. What Penelope wants most is to be free of the strict rules of Bellezza and be loved as
she truly is, even if that means leaving the flock. Penelope's weaknesses are that she's too sensitive, and can get offended easily. She also has a hard
time standing up for what she believes in, and usually gets flustered in these situations, thereby, agreeing with people even, if she's against what they're
saying. Penelope's strengths lie in knowing what's right, loving all creatures, despite their actions towards her, being able to cleverly come up with
solutions to situations, and lastly, being able to sing beautifully, although no one has ever heard her, since she's too nervous to sing in front of the flock
and thinks they will make fun of her if she
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Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey
Does Odysseus's journey back home worthy, leaving companions behind? As Odysseus comes back home from the battle of the Trojan War, he
disguises as a beggar, which he thinks Penelope would not recognize and to see if anyone is still on his side. This seduces Penelope to run tests on
Odysseus to see if it really is him. To see ifOdysseus has returned, Penelope demonstrates her cleverness through three methods: an interrogation, a
challenge, and a secret.
First, Penelope conveys cleverness by creating an interrogation with Odysseus. For example, Odysseus asks Penelope about herself, which she replies,
"Ruses served my turn to draw the time out" (1321–1322). As Odysseus is presumed dead, Penelope believes he is still alive and is smart enough to
make up tricks until he comes home, as she does not want to marry any of the suitors. Furthermore, Penelope asks Odysseus to tell about himself,
which Odysseus replies with a specious tale, "...he is alive and well, and headed homeward now...I swear these things shall turn out as I say...Odysseus
will come" (1350–1359). This signifies that she is a match by being smart enough to ask "the beggar" if he knows Odysseus, where he ... Show more
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For instance, Penelope tests Odysseus and the suitors, marrying the man who can string Odysseus bow and shoot an arrow through twelve ax hand
sockets. Odysseus "in one motion strung the bow...slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it, so the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang a
swallow's note" (1376–1379), but none of the suitors did. This shows that Penelope wanted to challenge a group of suitors with Odysseus that only
Odysseus could do and is sure that only he could do it. Also, she decides to test Odysseus to prove that he is really her husband. This reveals that she
doesn't take his identity for granted and assures herself of Odysseus' identity to see if it really is her husband. Penelope shows cleverness by hosting a
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Odysseus As A Heroic Figure
Upon first glance, the story and plot of The Odyssey seems quite comprehensible. Most people will look at Homer's work and will see the great
Odysseus as the main character and focus of the story. Odysseus is often viewed by individuals as a heroic figure, an epic hero to be specific, and the
King of Ithaca. He is seen as a man who has done the impossible, which includes battling through countless obstacles, slaying monsters and people
alike, and somehow, miraculously, managing to make his return home after a grueling twenty years. These statements are exactly what most people
envision when they think about The Odyssey. They really have every reason to think this way because after taking just one glance at the title, it is clear
how ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
When Penelope heard of this news, "Her knees gave way on the spot, her heart too. She stood there speechless a while, struck dumb, tears filling
her eyes, her warm voice choked. At last she found some words to make reply: "Oh herald, why has my child gone and left me? No need in the
world for him to board the ships, those chariots of the sea that sweep men on, driving across the ocean's endless wastes ... Does he want his very name
wiped off the earth?" (4:792–796). This shows the amount of love that Penelope held in her heart for her son. She was concerned that he may never
return back alive again and that she would have to live with the fact that possibly both of her closest family members were dead. It's already evident
throughout much of the story that Penelope was distressed a great deal because of Odysseus' absence, but this proves that she was also suffering at the
fact that Telemachus was now gone as well. Another example appears a short while after the first example. In this example of uncertainty, Penelope
says, "and now again a beloved son is gone on a hollow ship, an innocent all unversed in fighting and speaking, and it is for him I grieve even more
than for that other one, and tremble for him and fear, lest something should happen to him either in the country where he has gone, or on the wide sea,
for he has many who hate him and are contriving against him and striving to kill him before
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Penelope In Homer's The Odyssey : Penelope As A Hero
While traditional readers of Homer's, The Odyssey, view Odysseus as a hero, they often reduce Penelope to Odysseus's helpless wife, but Penelope is
more than just a damsel–in–distress. Penelope proves to be Odysseus's heroic equal, as through her resilient, witty and strategic actions she ensures
Odysseus fighting advantages over the suitors.
Unlike Odysseus Penelope is confined by the gender roles of her time and cannot use physical strength against the suitors or even direct verbal
rejection, instead Penelope resorts to her emotional resilience and wit in order to challenge the suitors. She wrongly reassures the suitors that once
she finishes weaving a gift for Odysseus's father, she will choose someone to marry her, "'Young men, my suitors, let me finish my weaving, before I
marry'...every day she wove on the great loom but every night by torchlight she unwove it." (II. 103–104, 112–113) Penelope's actions are strategic and
well calculated. Her main goal, like Odysseus, is to successfully overcome her situation. She understands that she may not be able to physically fight the
suitors but she can trick them until Telemachus or Odysseus are able to. By crafting a lie that delays the suitors from marrying her immediately,
Penelope restrains the suitors from seizing Ithaca, her household, and posing a threat to Telemachus or Odysseus. Her lie gives Odysseus a crucial
advantage in the physical fight against the suitors as he comes back to a city and household where Penelope
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Penelope Loyalty In The Odyssey
Penelope is Loyal
Penelope shows loyalty even when things weren't going good, because she does this she gets something good out of it. The Odyssey, written by
Homer and translated Robert Fagles, shows a loyal wife waiting for her husband to return. While her husband is away, Penelope is pressured by
suitors to choose a new husband, but strings a web of lies in order to hold off making a decision. For twenty years she remains loyal in his absence,
and, when he finally returns, she tests to make sure it is really him. Throughout the book the Odyssey Penelope shows loyalty at all times. She shows
this trait when she breaks down in sadness at even a mention of Odysseus or Troy, when she stays loyal despite the constant pressure to marry a suitor,
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/ take it out now, sturdy bed that it is, / and spread it deep with fleece, / blankets and lustrous throws to keep him warm." (23.198–202) She said this
because only Odysseus would know that the bed's to sturdy that no one can move it. Penelope is then only one that knows that Odysseus out of all
the suitors is the only one that knows that you can't move the bed. In a similar fashion, Penelope is tricking the suitors to think that she will marry
one of them but she knows that only Odysseus can complete this task: "I set before you the great bow of king odysseus now! / The hand that can
string this bow with greatest ease, / that shoots an arrow clean through all twelve axes– / he is the man I follow, yes, for saking this house / where I was
once a bride, this gracious house." She told the suitors to complete a task that can only be completed by Odysseus. She did this because then the suitors
will think that she will marry one of them if they complete this, but Odysseus is the only one that can complete this
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Comparing Odysseus And Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
Odysseus and Penelope
Odysseus and Penelope are one of the oldest and greatest love stories ever known. The couple is most known for their perseverance through the many
hardships in life. It's a classic story showing that love trumps all. However, there is much more to the story than people actually know. It's a story about
hospitality, loyalty, perseverance, vengeance, spiritual growth.
In the story of Odysseus and Penelope, the two fall madly in love the very moment they see each other. They end up marrying soon after. They had a
son, Telemachus. Odysseus, now the lord of his island Ithica was sent to fight in the Trojan Warfor ten years, leaving his brand new son and wife.
Penelope vowed to wait for her husband to return from war. After ten years, the Trojan War was finally over, but Odysseus' journey was not. For the
next ten years, Odysseus was faced with obstacles like charming women and frightening giants. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He was unfaithful to his beloved Penelope. Since everyone in inthica thought that Odysseus, their king, was dead, many suitors came to marry
Penelope. She kept them away for many years, saying that when she finished her shroud for her father–in–law's burial, she would finally marry one of
them. Everyday she worked on the loom, but every night she unraveled it to reset any progress she could have made on the shroud to make more time
for her husband to come back
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Examples Of Penelope's Loyalty In The Odyssey
Is Penelope Loyal?
Imagine someone's husband leaves for 20 years would that wife still be loyal to him? In The Odyssey by Homer Odysseus is lost at sea trying to get
home to his wife and kid. When he finally gets he has to see if his wife was loyal to him in the 20 years he was gone. There are suitors there that
have been trying to marry his wife so he kills them with his son. Penelope is truly loyal to Odysseus in the Odyssey because she does not marry anyone
in the 20 years Odysseus was gone. She also does not sleep with someone else in those 20 years. She knows her responsibility..
First in the Odyssey Penelope could have married one of the suitors but she did not. While Penelope does not like the suitors and uses negative
words about them. When Penelope was praying to the gods she said, "A night will come when a hateful marriage falls my lot" (18.306). Penelope
does not want to be with anyone. Of course Penelope prayed for the suitors to be punished. Penelope was praying and said, "May apollo the archer
strike you just as hard!" (17.547). This shows that Penelope does not want to marry any of the suitors. Penelope did not marry anyone in the time
Odysseus was gone but she did not. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
By all means the suitors has ate all of their food and will not leave and Penelope thinks Odysseus can only stop them. Penelope said to her maids,
"There is no man like Odysseus in command to drive this curse from the house."(17.598). This shows that she thinks that the suitors are weak and
are not suitable to marry. Also Penelope was crying because of Odysseus. Penelope was sad that she has not seen Odysseus in 20 years: "Sitting up in
her soft bed, returned to tears." (20.64). This show that Penelope still has feelings for Odysseus and she misses him. Penelope had all the suitors and
she never slept with any of
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Differences Between Odysseus And Nausikaa
I believe that Odysseus should not marry Nausikaa. This is my belief for three reasons. My reasons are: Differences between Odysseus and Nausikaa,
Odysseus' relation to Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaka, and Penelope and Telemachus wanting/waiting for Odysseus' return. Odysseus should not
marry the beautiful, dreamy, and regal princess, Nausikaa, because there are some differences between them. My first sub–proof is Odysseus is married
and Nausikaa is not. My second sub–proof is Odysseus has a son, whereas Nausikaa has no children. My last and final sub–proof of this proof is Ithaka
has his family and is his home; Nausikaa and the Phaikaans have nothing that Odysseus can relate to. Odysseus, who is a handsome, wise, and curious
king, should not marry Nausikaa, because Odysseus has a relationship with Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaka. The first point is Odysseus is the
husband of Penelope; Odysseus is a loyal husband and also, Penelope has been living without a husband for 20 years. The second point is Odysseus
is the father of Telemachus; one of Odysseus' goals is to make sure Telemachus is alive, well, and healthy. The third and final point is Odysseus is the
king of Ithaka; if Odysseus was to marry Nausikaa, he would be betraying Penelope and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
My first element of this proof is Penelope is being forced to marry one of the suitors. My second element of this proof is Penelope is mourning for
Odysseus' and Telemachus' return to Ithaka. My last element of this proof is the suitors are being disrespectful to Penelope's, Odysseus', and
Telemachus' home. Again, I believe that Odysseus should not marry Nausikaa. This is my assumption for three proofs. My proofs are: Differences
between Odysseus and Nausikaa, Odysseus' relation to Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaka, and Penelope and Telemachus wanting/waiting for Odysseus'
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A Summary Of Penelope In Homer's Odyssey
Penelope. The mother of Telemachus and the wife of Odysseus. She felt as if everything in her life was going wrong. Her dear husband had been
gone for several years at this point, the suitors would soon be arriving, and her son Telemachus had left in the morning to find Odysseus. This leaves
Penelope with who? She could not bare the thought of living in a world where she was constantly surrounded by suitors, so she decided to follow her
son. He had left tht town of Ithica several hours before, but she was determined to catch up to him. Penelope packed her bag and left. The journey to
find her husband and son was not going to be easy, but anything was better than staying at home. Athena saw that Penelope was in need of a disguise so
that she ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Atena warns Penelope that she only has 12 hours to get back to Ithica, before the suitros start to look for her, and her disguise wll no longer do its
job. Penelope thanked the well disguised Athena and ran off into the forest with her new look. Penelope had not thought of the dificulties that
would come once she entered the maze like forest. Penelope is once again ecountered by Athena, disguised now as a suitor. Penelope sees the
"suitor" and hides behind a tree. Penelope was very confused, and didnt understand how a suitor could have alread known that she was missing,
she was requestioning the promise that AThena made to her. Athena disguised as the suitor quickly giggles to her self and then runs away.
Penelope knew that she should stay away, but she did not have any more time to waste, the forest got very cold and very dark early in the day.
Penelope had lived the past 20 years of her life without her lover. She had gotten used to not having anyone to sleep next to her, and talk about hiow
she was feeling, but for some reason the forest made her lonlier and sadder than she had ever been before. The level of silence was
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
Role Of Penelope In The Odyssey
Imagine having a husband who runs off and leaves for 20 years in order to fight in a war that was none of his business in the first place. That's how
Penelope from The Odyssey must feel. Her husband Odysseus leaves her to be a part of the Trojan war and then goes on many of his own
expeditions. Each of the three texts: The Odyssey by Homer, Penelope to Ulysses by Anne Kilegrew, and Penelope by Dorothy Parker presents
Odysseus' wife in a different manner.
In Homers The Odyssey, Penelope is depicted as clever yet melancholy and defeated. Penelope is quite clever because she is able to come up with
ruses to prevent her remarriage to one of her many suitors. One of these ruses is that she tells her suitors she cannot get married until she finishes
weaving a blanket for her father, but every night she unweaves the blanket a small amount so it takes longer to make. Despite being clever, Penelope
is feeling melancholy since Odysseus has been away for so long and she misses him. She describes her feelings as having "years of pain" (Homer
1312) Along with melancholy, she is defeated from trying to fend off her... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Odysseus is out having a good and relaxing time out on the seas. She believes he is "riding the silver seas" out in the ocean which she thinks is
unfair while she's stuck at home. Meanwhile, Penelope is sitting at home doing jobs that women are supposed to do. She does boring hard work
like bleaching linen, sewing, and brewing tea all while Odysseus is sailing away. This causes Penelope to be bitter because Odysseus will get all
the credit and she will get no recognition. She states that "they will call him brave." while he has been having a great time "where the world and sky
are one". Penelope's point of view in this poem demonstrates how unfair gender roles can be and how frustrating it is to not get credit for hard
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
Penelope And Penelope In The Odyssey
Both Penelope and Odysseus put others through trials in books 19, 21, and 23 in order to test their loyalty and identity. The trait of constantly testing
others eludes to the little trust that Odysseus and Penelope have in others making them a perfect match for each other. In Book 19 Homer shows
Odysseus in the presence Penelope describing to her how well she is known and why. He suggests that her fame "has reached the vaulting skies" and
that the kingdom she has built is "proud and strong" and under her "sovereign way" her people "flourish" (19: 118–120, 124). All of these positive
attributes Odysseus is mentioning serve the purpose of testing Penelope on if she is still loyal by acknowledging how these are all things Odysseus
thinks he has
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
Helen Of Troy, By Margaret Atwood
Unlike the many versions of Helen of Troy, in Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad, she paints the infamous woman as imperfect, as a siren, a
goddess, a murderer. By making the reader see Helen through Penelope's eyes, new layers are added to this character so often sought after. Helen and
Penelope's dynamic adds a layer to not only The Penelopiad, but also to the male–dominated Odyssey. These factors create a dynamic feminine force,
and both women are in multiple ways a foil to one another. Many of Penelope's insecurities comes from her own view of herself and the way her
experiences have shaped her. At the very beginning of the novel she says "Hadn't I been faithful? Hadn't I waited, and waited, and waited, despite the
temptation–almost the compulsion–to do otherwise? And what did I amount to, once the official version gained ground? An edifying legend. A stick
used to beat other women with" (Pg. 2, The Penelopiad). Penelope already has immense difficulty with herself and her identity. It is an interesting
dichotomy. In one way Penelope wants to be like Helen because she doesn't have the status of a legendary faithful wife. However, she is forgetting
that Helen does have her own legendary status, one that Penelope sometimes longs for, but is most likely unsatisfactory in its own way. One of
Penelope's biggest jealousies for Helen is the amount of power she has over all she encounters, in life and death. When Penelope first settles into her
new life she states "...there was
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...

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Medea And Penelope

  • 1. Medea and Penelope Euripides and Homer are said to be two of the four cornerstones of ancient literary education. The former, Euripides, known as one of the great tragedians of classical Athens produced approximately ninety–two plays, but was rejected by most of his contemporaries during his lifetime. Euripides was the п¬Ѓrst of his time to portray a woman as a sympathetic character and a victim of society. Homer is known as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. His most famous works being the Iliad and the Odyssey. Both of these ancient authors used strong women in their works. In Euripides Medea, the main character of the same name is a force to be reckoned with. The play starts out just after the divorce of Jason and Medea. Jason has left Medea for ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... In so far as you helped me, you did well enough. But on this question of saving me, I can prove you have certainly got more from me mor than you gave." [517–523, pg. 627] Jason does not feel as if he owes anything at all to Medea, thus bringing her eventual breakdown and irrational behavior to the hilt. Although Medea may have been wronged by Jason, this still does not excuse her ultimate act of revenge towards Jason. She is so set on getting back at him that she commits the most heinous of acts. She murders her two children. Jason's acts may have pushed her over the edge of sanity, but one can argue that even an insane person would take their own life over the lives of their own children. This brings the insanity to a whole new level. Medea is a strong and determined woman. She is determined to exact her revenge on Jason by any means possible. Euripides voiced the fear of her cunning mind through Kreon when he said "I am afraid of you [...] Afraid that you may injure my daughter mortally. [...] You are a clever woman, versed in evil arts, and are angry at having lost your husband's love." (280–284, pg 622) The fact that a male character would say something of this caliber says something about the roles of women during this time. Even though they are still seen as second class citizens to the men, a smart woman is feared. Ultimately Medea's strength is tested and she becomes crazed with jealousy and acts of ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 2. Penelope, By Penelope And Odysseus Penelope, Son of Laertes Jose Vasquez Mostly throughout the Odyssey, Penelope and Odysseus struggle against the idea of possessing an incomplete home or not being at home for a long time. However, after accepting defeat for a long period of time, the two begin quest out to resolve their problems, and in the process, the two illustrate similar aspects of how to resolve a situation involving errors within an oikos. In other words, I am claiming that Penelope utilizes the same manner of defense as Odysseus when she is in unfavorable situation involving the two's oikos. In this paper, I will argue that Penelope is the female version of Odysseus because Penelope upholds the customs of her time to avoid shame originating from her suitors, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... With shame attached to his name, he loses his honor as hero. As a result, the two immortal creatures allow Odysseus to leave their because they had realized that winning the heart of the hero with cunning tactics is impossible. This is the exact manner of defense Penelope utilizes to prevent any marriage to occur with the suitors. She uses the custom of fidelity as a defense mechanism by stating that she will break her fidelity with another suitor when she finishes weaving her web. With her utilizing the defense mechanism, she is leading the suitors to feel like they have a chance and resulting them to leave her in peace, and allowing time for Odysseus to come back assuming he is still alive. To continue, Penelope desires to restore her oikos with her heroic patience. For instance, Penelope desperately desires for her oikos to be complete by having her son, Telemachus, and husband, Odysseus, back home in Ithaca, "But now my son, my darling boy–the whirlwinds have ripped him out of the halls without a trace! I never heard he'd gone– not even from you, you hard, heartless ... not one of you even thought to rouse me from my bed, though well you knew when he boarded that black ship" (4:819–824). With already losing her husband for ten years, she is informed that her son, Telemachus, has left Ithaca and the suitors plan to ambush ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 3. What Is The Role Of Penelope In The Odyssey Penelope serves as one of the most crucial characters within the Odyssey. She one of the few driving forces for our main protagonist's journey home and she is also an exemplar model of female character breaking the mold of the damsel in distress. She actually takes it upon herself to take command, to some extent, of her own situation while her husband is presumably making his way back home from war. Penelope even matches Odysseus in craftiness and sly personality. For example, Penelope had told the suitors that she would assume a new husband after she was done weaving a shroud, but she would secretly unweave her progress every night. This behavior is a reoccurring theme. Penelope sets up other tests, such as having to shoot an arrow through ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Agamemnon had fought in the Trojan war, just as Odysseus had but when he returned home he was stuck down by his own spouse. When Odysseus meets Agamemnon in the underworld, Agamemnon recounts about his death when he states, "I lifted my hands and beat the ground as I lay dying with a sword in my chest, but that bitch, my wife, turned her back on me and would not shut my eyes or close my lips as I was going down to Death" (Book 11, Lines 439–443). This brief tale alludes to Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. In both cases, the male figure's downfall is a direct causation of their female counterpart. In fact, there exists a blatant dichotomy between the relationship of Odysseus and Penelope the relationship between Adam and Eve. As seen in the passage above, Eve was purely created to accompany Adam and to serve as his partner. In the context of the relationship, Eve causes a downward trajectory for the pair. Both Adam and Eve were living in the best conditions, in God's hand–crafted garden, but this is stripped from them due to her inquisitive nature. In the beginning of the Odyssey, we see that Odysseus and Penelope are at a low point, but Odysseus utilizes the thought of Penelope to fuel his rise. These two relationships drastically differ from each other, but they also share some similarity. Both female characters are depicted as subordinate beings. In the Genesis, ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 4. Analysis Of Margaret Atwood 's The Penelopiad Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author and poet. She is the author of more than forty books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays (margareatwood.ca) and is very popular in the feminist community due to her novels focusing on women's culture and viewpoint. The Penelopiad is a novel written by Atwood that tells the myth of the famous Greek king Odysseus from his wife Penelope's point of view. The reader–response theory is the best way to interpret this novel. This theory is a form of literary criticism that depends on the reader's response to the text. Each reader will have a similar but slightly different experience from the text. This novel contains experiences most can relate to or will relate to in their future and receive a lesson from it. Perspective is very important in this novel. How it is interpreted is dependent upon who is reading it. There is not a single meaning to this novel but many. As a child, Penelope's father had attempted to drown her but she was saved by ducks and was ultimately nicknamed Duck by her family. Afterwards, her father became overly affectionate towards her seemingly out of guilt. Her mother was very absent–minded and not consistently proactive in her life. Many people have had issues from or in their childhood. Many have also had traumatic experiences as a child and understanding why these things happened is rare and this often permanently affects lives. Penelope was described as intelligent instead of beautiful while her cousin, Helen, was ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 5. Use Of Penelope's Voice In The Odyssey Lingyan Xie Justice No Truth in Story–telling "Margaret Atwood gives voice to Penelope, one of antiquity's most infamous heroines, so that she can tell her story at last and set the record straight once and for all" (Canongate). The quotation printed at the back of The Penelopiad gives a concise motivation why Margaret Atwood writes the book: Atwood uses Penelope's voice to tell the readers how she is wronged in Homer's Odyssey. Although the narrator Penelope dominates the book, the twelve hanged maids also interpose their own opinion in prose and rhymes. However, it is not hard for the readers to find out that the two perspectives contradict one another, the maids' voice is often used as a counterpoint to Penelope's, when it comes to why the maids are hanged. Since The Penelopiad is all about Penelope, then why does Atwood employ the maids' voice which causes ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... "In the mornings, our eyes darkened by lack of sleep, we'd exchange smiles of complicity, and here and there a quick squeeze of the hand...neither they nor I could take their servile behavior seriously" (114 ). From the vivid description of how close Penelope and the maids are, it can be seen that Penelope does not only treat the maids with superiority, but also Penelope truly treats and loves the maids as if they were sisters. Later, according to Penelope, when the suitors come, Penelope assigns the maids to be her spies by ingratiating themselves with the suitors. When comes the turning point that Penelope decides to tell the returning, furious Odysseus all about the plan, she is drugged to sleep. "It was my fault!" (160). Throughout the whole book, Penelope frequently expresses her sorrow and dismay about the hanging of the maids. It is as if Penelope herself were a victim in the hanging of the maids, she is helpless and heartbroken when Odysseus kills her sister–like ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 6. Odysseus and Penelope Essay Odysseus and Penelope Odysseus and Penelope are the best two example of what it really means to be human because of their great courage to overcome all obstacles for a greater cause. There is not one true definition on what it means to be human, but the most knowledgeable definition of "human" is to be created in the image of God. The attributes that really set humans apart from all the other animals on earth are imagination, reason, and will. These three human faculties make us who we are because we have the ability to counter plate our own mortality. Dr. Davis stated, "You cannot love another person without imagination" You have to first realize what their desires are and what they want in life. The most critical aspect of... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... In book five Odysseus is presented with a very great and tempting barrier. Calypso confronts him with this statement, "But if you only knew, down deep, what pains are fated to fill your cup before you reach that shore, you'd stay right here, preside in our house with me and be immortal." She promised him that he would possess a trait that no other human in the odyssey has, immortality. Even though her offers are very tempting and would be self fulfilling, he promptly rejects because all he wants is to go home and the love of his life, Penelope. This act alone shows that he was willing to give himself and up for a greater cause. He showed great discipline and faithfulness to reject Calypso's offer and to continue on his journey home. At the beginning of the epic, Odysseus did have one flaw that could have been detrimental to his homecoming journey and that was self–glorification. By the end of the Odyssey, Odysseus overcame his pride and tempered it with patience because at the end of the day he didn't really know that Penelope would be waiting on him, but he was willing to put in the effort to find out what was at the end of the road. Penelope, just as Odysseus, portrayed the great human trait of patience. She did what it took to fend off the suitors with hope that her husband would come back for her. Penelope didn't give up hope because she felt in heart that Odysseus would come ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 7. Telemachus Treatment Of Women In The Odyssey In Homer's The Odyssey Penelope is shown to uphold the patriarchal Greek societal values. Penelope, Odysseus' wife and the queen of Ithaca, is often overshadowed and ruled by people that have less authority. In the beginning, there is a gathering at the palace. A bard begins to sing and Penelope starts to sob after being reminded of Troy. Telemachus immediately steps in and orders his mother to go up to her room and tells her that he is the man of the house now, saying, "So mother, go back to your quarters, tend to your own tasks...I hold the reigns of power in this house" (Homer 89). When Telemachus says "I hold the reins of power in this house" Homer is revealing that Telemachus has the power in the house, over his mother, and over all of... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Telemachus exclaims that he has the power, he further illustrates how he has power over his mother because he is a male in a male–dominated society. Additionally, he has direct control over his mother despite the fact that she is older.Penelope is cast aside and dominated by her son and conforms to the patriarchal values, despite plotting schemes against some of the men. She upholds the Greek values, as her role as a woman is clearly defined, as shown through how she does what Telemachus tells her to do and does not come between the males' problems and affairs. Another instance in which Penelope upholds the patriarchal Greek values is in The Penelopiad, an account of The Odyssey, which shows the events of The Odyssey in the eyes of Penelope. In the beginning, Odysseus and Telemachus kill the maids, Penelope was mentioned to had "slept through the mayhem" because she had been given a drug by Eurycleia to keep her out of the action and stop her from interfering. To further ensure that Penelope does not get in the way of the killing of the maids, "Odysseus made sure that all the women were locked securely into the women's quarter", including Penelope. ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 8. What Role Does Penelope Play In The Odyssey In book 2 of the Odyssey, Odysseys' family is being drained of its wealth by a crowd of suitors wishing to marry Penelope. While nobody is without fault in this situation I believe that Penelope plays a large role in causing the unfavorable situation the family is in by her being deceptive towards the suitors. While suitors were being held in the company of Odysseys' family Penelope decides to deceive the suitors by saying she will announce who she would marry by the time she finishes he weaving. Penelope would weave and unweave for years putting a burden on the family as they were caring for the suitors for all that time. This stalling no doubt put a burden on the family as they would have to provide for the suitors as they were waiting for ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 9. Penelope In Homer's Odyssey Telemachia frames the character of Penelope, wife of protagonist Odysseus, through her loyalty her husband. Telemachia presents Penelope as the epitome of faithfulness by giving her a storyline that consistently tests it. In the books, Penelope's home has been flooded by suitors seeking her hand in marriage for years after Odysseus' disappearance, as her son, Telemakhos tells Athena they "are here courting my mother... Spurn them she dare not, though she hates that marriage, nor can she bring herself to choose among them." (1.293, 1.295–296.) Through the initial exposition of Penelope's resistance to the suitors, her unfailing loyalty to Odysseus is established early in the poem. Penelope's other important character traits are also revealed through ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 10. Penelope In The Penelopiad Atwood's take on the character of Penelope in The Penelopiad first describes her as an average and modest woman with a single defining trait of intelligence, whereas Odysseus is introduced to the story as a cheat and a thief. In due time, Odysseus leaves to fight in the war against Troy, and then starts his ten year voyage back to Ithaca. However, in the twenty years he was gone, Penelope has learned to independently manage the land, and use her wits to trick the Suitors and learn of their plans. When Odysseus finally returns home, Penelope knows to not reveal his true identity and doesn't tell him of her deceptive ways. The two characters have flipped traits in this way, as now Penelope is the master of tricks and Odysseus follows her lead. ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 11. Penelope In The Odyssey Essay The Strong Character of Penelope in Homer's Odyssey Homer's 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 on Helpwriting.net ... "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 father's, / 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 household's resources, or if one were to successfully persuade her to marry him, she would lose her power position. Likewise, if the resources 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 a ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 12. Strengths And Weaknesses Of Odysseus Characters respond to their challenges differently based upon their strengths, weaknesses, and motives. Penelope had a lot in her hands with the suitors wanting to take her hand in marriage. she handled her situation using her cleverness and tricking the suitors into waiting seven years. In the other hand, Cyplso wanted to keep Odyssues in her island forever because she wanted him all to herself. She had to use her powers and and her position as goddess and tell Odysseus if he stays he can have whatever he wants and grant him king of the island. They both had their advantages that worked out for Penelope and worked out for Cylpso with odysseus for quite some time. Below are the differences and strengths that Penelope as human and Cylpso as ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... For Penlope it was her cleverness that tricked the suitors to wait ten years for her hand in marriage with her little white lie that she had made up. For Cylpso she had used her goddess's like powers and told Odyssues that she will make him king of the island and grant him whatever he wants. Penelope not having powers had helped her go through hundreds of suitors to stall so Odyssues can return to her and the suitors will wait. As for Cylpso she responded that giving Odyssues whatever he wants is a good idea to make him stay and she will make him king, so she told him that. Meaning that. Penelope handled her challenge by tricking the suitors to wait, meanwhile Cylpso was trying to trick Odyssues into staying that only lasted her seven years when Odysseus realized it was time to go ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 13. Odysseus Compare And Contrast Penelope And The Suitors The stories found in Greek mythology are often the subjects of both visual and literary works. The myth of Penelope and Odysseus and their eventful marriage is one such story. Penelope is the daughter of Icarius and Periboea and the wife of Odysseus. Odysseus was sent to fight in the Trojan War the day his son was born. After the war, he angered the gods by not thanking them, so he was lost at sea for ten years after the war while trying to get back to Ithaca. Their son, Telemachus, helps her protect their house from the suitors who are trying to takeOdysseus's throne. In the painting Penelope and the Suitors, John Williams Waterhouse uses the scene where Penelope is being harassed by the suitors to show that she is irritated with the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... He started studying at the Royal Academy in London and married Esther Kenworthy in 1883 then moved to St. John's Wood. They lived in a purpose built artistic colony ."Early in his career his works appeared similar to the the works of Sir Lawrence Alma–Tadema" and he painted many distinctive painting and was influenced by many talented artist before him. He produced over 200 paintings during his lifetime including "The Lady of Shalott," "Boreas," and,"The Crystal Ball." " He painted many excellent portraits of women". His paintings were rich for their color, and was neglected through most of the 20th century. He produced works of mythological and literary themes through the 1890s and 1900s. He taught at St. John's Wood art school between 1892 and 1913. He left no diaries or journals, and died of cancer in 1917. In the poem "Penelope", Dorothy Parker lines 1 through 5 explain how Odysseus is on his voyage home which is shown when it states "he shall ride the silver seas." In lines 5 through 10 of the poem Parker tells of Penelope doing daily things as if everything is normal, this is revealed when the poem says "Brew my tea, and snip my thread". The mood of the poem is confident because Penelope still does everything as if Odysseus was there because she wanted nothing out of place in case he ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 14. Penelope Odysseus Quotes Have you ever felt lost or alone? Penelope has. In the story The Odyssey written by Homer, Odysseus is a man who travels a 20 year journey after the fall of Troy. Odysseus's wife Penelope however, is left behind with her and Odysseus's son, Telemachus. Penelope lives with only herself and Telemachus, who she had to raise by herself. Penelope had to deal with many things in the time period when her husband was gone, including having to ward off many suitors who tried to marry her for her fortune. In the story the Odyssey, Penelope is a very strong, clever, and intelligent person as she deals with her husband being gone for so long. Penelope is a very strong person, but she is more mentally strong than physically. In the Odyssey, Odysseus goes to fight the war for 20 years, and leaves Penelope behind. The whole ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... As you know, many suitors came to her and asked her to marry them but she said no. One of the clever ways she got out of marriage was when she told the a suitor that after she finished weaving she would marry him, but the suitor did not know that after she wove, she would just keep starting over so that the weaving would never end. Penelope was also very clever when she asked the maid to move her bed outside into the hall. This was clever because Penelope knew that if it were really Odysseus he would know that that would not be possible because Odysseus made the bed himself, and would know that it's built into the house. In book 23, the author exclaims, "Their secret! as she heard it told, her knees grew tremulous and weak, her heart failed her. With eyes brimming tears she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him,..." (Homer 1164). This quote shows that Penelope's trick worked because Odysseus knew that she couldn't move it, so Penelope knew that it was really Odysseus. Penelope was very happy that Odysseus was home and begged for his forgiveness for her not believing that it was really ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 15. Who Is Penelope The Great Wife In The Odyssey In the Odyssey, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, while mourning the loss of her husband had to endure the endless pursuit of the many suitors who sought her hand in marriage with the intent of ruling all of Ithaca. Penelope was a great wife because she was smart, faithful, and clever. By her using her cleverness to deceive the suitors, together with using her intelligence to outsmart them, proved her faithfulness to her husband. These things together made Penelope the great wife that she was. Penelope was clever. One of the key points to her being such a marvelous wife was her cleverness. Her cleverness was shown most strikingly when she led on the suitors into believing she was going to select one of them after ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 16. Penelope In The Poem Penelope By Dorothy Parker The Allegiance of Penelope Penelope is the wife of the Ithica king, Odysseus, and is known for her fidelity towards Odysseus while he is away to fight the Trojan War. She is left in Ithaca to tend to and heed the needs of the island while raising her son Telemachus, all while being bombarded with suitors whom yearn for her attention and hand in marriage. Penelope endured her loyalty to Odysseus until his return 20 years later. In the painting Penelope and the Suitors, John William Waterhouse uses the woman, Penelope, sitting in the center of a room surrounded by several people handing her flowers to show that distance does not matter if two hearts are loyal to one another, while in her Poem "Penelope", Dorothy Parker uses the same scene to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... "John William Waterhouse Biography" claims "Making several trips to Italy and continental Europe during the 1870s and 80s, Waterhouse found inspiration for his paintings and began to produce large watercolors using classical compositions and the Pre–Raphaelite concepts of beautiful women who were ultimately tragic or powerful." He produced several pieces of mythological and literary themes in 1890–1900("John William Waterhouse"). His paintings contained realistic and natural settings, symbolism, vivid color schemes, and vivid light(Artble.com). Waterhouse's paintings contained rich and glowing color, it depicted many dramatic and beautiful women, and revealed damsels in distress("John William Waterhouse"). His styles were a mix between Neoclassical themes and romantic style and he was considered, Artble.com ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 17. Comparing Penelope And Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey The first reason which I think that Penelope and Odysseus are a good match is because of loyalty. Penelope is very loyal to Odysseus while he is gone for twenty years. Many suitors come to her and try and make her believe that they are actually Odysseus. The second reason which I think that Penelope and Odysseus are a good match is because of Penelope's cleverness. Penelope is very clever in many ways during odysseus' absence. Everyone thinks that Odysseus is dead and he will never come back and that is the cause for many suitors to go to Penelope's home and try to convince her to become their wife. The two main things that make Penelope very clever are the two tests she decides to do on the suitors; the test of bow and the test of the bed. "Here is my lord Odysseus' hunting bow. Bend and string it if you can. Who sends an arrow through iron axe–helve ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... I join my life with his, and leave this place, my home, my rich and beautiful bridal house, forever to be remembered, though I dream it only." (Homer, lines 35–40, book 21) This quote is describing what the suitors must do to win her. It is a nearly impossible obstacle that she knows only Odysseus is capable of doing. The next and final test she does is the test of the bed. "Make up his bed for him, Eurycleia. Place it outside the bedchamber my lord built with his own hands. Pile the big bed with fleeces, rugs, and sheets of purest linen." and Odysseus reacts by saying, "Woman, by heaven you've stung me now! Who dared to move my bed? No builder had the skill for that–unless a god came down to turn the trick. No mortal in his best days could budge it with a crowbar. There is our pact and pledge, our secret sign, built into that bed–my handiwork and no one else's!" (Homer, lines 27–40, book 23) These two quotes ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 18. Superiority Complex In The Penelopiad The Superiority Complex of Atwood's Penelope Unlike many versions of Helen of Troy, in The Penelopiad Margaret Atwood paints the infamous woman as a siren, a goddess, and a murderer. By making the reader see Helen's imperfections through Penelope's eyes, new layers are added to this character so often explored in literature. Helen and Penelope's dynamic relationship adds a layer to not only The Penelopiad, but also to the male–dominated Odyssey. These factors create a dynamic feminine force that informs both characters: without each other, they would not be as interesting as they are. Many of Penelope's insecurities come from her own self–reflection, self–image, and experiences. At the very beginning of the novel she says, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Even Odysseus seems to always go back to her "...why was he still–and possibly always–thinking about Helen?" (Pg. 64, The Penelopiad). Helen weaves her way in and out of the text as she does with people's lives: effortlessly and without worry for her implications. She is a constant issue for Penelope, making her feelings for Helen range from admiration to loathing. Penelope simultaneously wants to be Helen and could not imagine ever being her, creating a tension that looms over the main plot of the novel. The two women have opposite power dynamics, and opposite mentalities on how to present themselves. Even though Penelope became the image of the perfect, wholesome wife in her death, she still value's Helen's whirlwind life, leaving Helen to be seen as either the mono–maniacal response Penelope has to her isolation and insecurities, or a challenge and other side to her own character and ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 19. Character Analysis : ' Penelope ' "Penelope, I shall be back," Odysseus said, about to leave. "Ok," Penelope said, looking at Odysseus, blinking back tears. "If I don't come back, then you can marry someone else," Odysseus said and left for the plane. Telemachus, still a child, woke up and walked downstairs for some Captain Crunch. Telemachus rubbing his eyes, saw just his mom standing right next to the front door of the house alone, and asked, "Mommy, where's Daddy?" "He's just going away for a bit Telemachus, now let me make you breakfast,"Penelope said with tiny drops of tears rolling down her face, patting Telemachus. "Okay," Telemachus said tiredly. * Back to Present* * "That was ten years ago and now the war's over and he still hasn't come back," Telemachus said. He was about twenty years old now and talking to his girlfriend. "Oh man, that must have been hard on you," Anna, Telemachus' girlfriend said. "Ah, I wish he'd come back already," Telemachus said glumly. Suddenly, the door opened. "You're home!" Penelope said, huggingOdysseus with tears in her eyes. "Dad!" Telemachus said with his eyes wide opened in shock. "But, what took you so long?" Penelope said, frustrated. "Ah, well there were some obstacles on the way back from my long and tiring trip. I'll tell you over lunch," Odysseus said. They gave Odysseus lunch and he started to talk about his story, "So this is how it started." * flashback* * "I don't want to
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  • 21. Penelope In Homer's Odyssey In The Odyssey, Odysseus's wife, Penelope, proves herself in many ways that she is the mistress of her own heart because of her ability to control her reactions in certain situations, and manipulate others. Penelope is Queen of Ithaca. She is the mighty Odysseus's wife, and she has been grieving over the loss of her husband ever since he left for Troy. Though she hasn't seen her husband in 20 years, and suitors who want to marry her keep lining up at her door, she still has some faith left for Odysseus's return. The suitors are eating her food, messing up her home, and later plan to kill her son to get him out of the way. Not only does she take control of these situations, but she is able to hide her depression of her husband's absence by taking ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Penelope is able to stay strong while everything around her is falling apart. For instance, book 16 page 202 states, "Infatuate steeped in evil!" "Madman, why do you keep forever knitting death for Telemakhos? Have you no pity towards dependent on another's mercy?.... Or are you not aware that your own father fled to us when the realm was up in arms against him? It is Odysseus's house you now consume, his wife you court, his son you kill, or try to kill." This is when Penelope finds out that someone she trusted and welcomed in her home, Antinoos, is secretly plotting to kill her only son, Telemakhos. If Penelope didn't take matters into her own hands by confronting him, then she could have lost her son. The loss of her son, combined with the loss of Odysseus, would have completely devastated her. Though she is crushed inside by Odysseus's departure, she is still able to follow Odysseus's instructions which are to take care of the house and continue to rule. Penelope's speech to Odysseus shows her ability to take control of her household and be patient. Penelope's patience is expressed by her ability to deal with all that the suitors have put her through, and still untiringly await the return of her beloved husband. Overall, Penelope possesses the capability to be authoritative and take control of many situations. She is also ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 22. Penelope In The Odyssey As someone who recently read Homer's The Odyssey I was very excited to read this book as I love re–telling of old myths. Like Atwood, I too struggled to understand or find justice in the treatment of the maids at the end of the Odyssey, so a story telling their side of things is very compelling for me. The Penelopiad opens with our heroine Penelope in the afterlife. Penelope explains that she has been long dead and will now tell her side of the story. She begins at the beginning with her childhood. Born to the king of Sparta and a Naiad, Penelope grew up privileged as a semi–divine noble. When she was very young her father had her thrown into the sea, in order to avoid a prophecy that she would be his undoing. After being rescued by some ducks ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Penelope was only 15 at the time, and the marriage was arranged as was custom. Helen makes an appearance in this chapter, floating in only to insult Penelope before exiting again. She is depicted as a rather callous and vain character, who relishes the attentions of all. To gain her hand in marriage Odysseus and many other suitors compete through a running contest. Odysseus wins by drugging the other contestants. Penelope suspects that this plot was not Odysseus' alone, that he was supported by her uncle. Penelope's uncle, wishes to overthrow the king of Sparta and plots to remove Penelope and any potential sons she may have from the picture. Odysseus is the perfect means to this as he wishes to change the usual customs (husband stays with the wife's family) and take Penelope home to Ithaca with him. At their wedding Penelope is nervous as her maids have told her stories of how horrible sex can be. The consummation of marriage is described by Penelope as a play at a "sanctioned rape", guards are posted and the woman is expected to attempt to escape. Despite this, Odysseus treats her well and they bond later through sharing of childhood stories. Throughout these first 50 pages Penelope often reflects on how she was portrayed by history versus how she behaved in actuality. Her reputation as a modest devoted wife was built on misreadings of the true actions of a child. I really enjoyed how Atwood ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 23. Gender Roles Of Odysseus And Penelope In Homer's Odyssey Traditional gender roles unfortunately remain an influential part of society today. In some parts of the world, it is illegal for women to do anything without the permission or sometimes even accompaniment of a male guardian. While it is true that the world has made considerable progress in eliminating gender stereotypes overall, there is much work that has yet to be done, and people must continue to strive for equality in order to eliminate unhealthy relationships like that of Odysseus and Penelope in Homer's Odyssey. The epic poem explores Odysseus' unnecessarily long journey home after helping Greece win the Trojan War while his wife Penelope waits for him in Ithaca. The contrast between Penelope's faithfulness at home and how Odysseus often strays from his path of return, in many cases by being unfaithful to his wife, highlights the traditional expectations set for men and women during this time and how differently they are supposed to behave. Odysseus' yearning for adventure spurs him to explore the many places he encounters without having a need to, causing his route home to be particularly indirect. After landing on the island of the Cyclops, Odysseus deems it a good idea for him to explore the island, even though he knows that the people he meet may not be friendly. He takes a group of men to "find out what the mainland natives are– / for they may be wild savages and lawless, / or hospitable and god fearing men" (Book IX, 187–189). Odysseus is putting himself and ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 24. The Character Of Penelope In Homer's Odyssey In the Odyssey, written by Homer, there are many prominent female characters. Of these characters, Penelope is my favorite. She is my favorite because she held her ground while Odysseus was gone. She made it clear that she was not ready to move on. Penelope was faithful to her husband while he was at war, even when faced with the temptation of her many suitors. She used her intelligence to trick the suitors. All women should be faithful and strong–willed like Penelope. When Odysseus is at war, Penelope remains faithful to him. He is fighting for ten years, but Penelope never gives up on him. She patiently awaits his return, even when the world is telling her to move on. Penelope makes it clear to everyone that she will never give up on her husband. Even when she is tempted by the suitors, she remains strong in her decision. Nothing the suitors say influences her stance. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Rather than choosing a man, she made them a deal. She would choose one of them when she finished weaving a shroud for her father–in–law, Laertes. This seems like a normal gesture, as Laertes would have been grieving the loss of his son. The suitors agree to this, and Penelope begins weaving the shroud. The suitors are unaware that they have just been tricked. During the day, Penelope works tirelessly to weave the shroud. However, at night, she unweaves what she weaved that day. By doing this, Penelope will never finish the shroud, so she will never choose a suitor. After three years, the suitors figure out what she has been doing, and they demand that she pick a suitor. Even after this, Penelope comes up with a ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 25. Comparing The Red Room by H.G. Wells and The Darkness Out... Comparing The Red Room by H.G. Wells and The Darkness Out There by Penelope Lively The "Red Room" was the earlier of the two stories written in 1896 by H.G. Wells and "The Darkness Out There", written by Penelope Lively was published in1984. The titles of both stories suggest that fear or horror will play a part. "The Darkness Out There" generates an eerie feeling by not defining a specific threat but leaving it open to the imagination. "The Red Room" is not as scary but the use of red often shows danger or fear and this is why it has been used here. H.G. Wells does not give his main character a name as it is written in the first person. Penelope Lively gives the girl, Sandra, a name but it ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... In "The Darkness Out There" you are immediately introduced to Sandra. "She walked through flowers, the girl, ox–eye daisies and vetch and cow parsley" this is a very beautiful setting and everything is perfect. We are also introduced briefly to characters who we later meet again, Mrs Rutter ("She's a dear old thing") and Pat who, although she is not described as very nice looking, runs a "Good neighbours' club" for children. As the story opens Sandra is on her way to help Mrs Rutter with one of the others from the club although she does not know who that will be. We are suddenly told about "Packers End and immediately it is clear that it is not a nice place, it was where a German plane had come down during the war and it was said that people still heard the pilots talking. "You didn't go by yourself through Packers End if you could help it, not after teatime, anyway." Packers End is described as a "rank place, all whippy saplings and brambles and a gully with a dumped mattress and a bedstead and an old fridge. And somewhere, presumably, the crumbling rusty scraps of metal and cloth and … bones?" "The Red Room" however begins in an old dark castle and you are immediately plunged into the story with descriptions and introductions happening along the way. The story does not start in The Red Room but in a communal room with a table. This
  • 26. ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 27. Penelope Monologue On the very last house of Durberry Lane lived two sisters. The first sister's name was MacKenzie. She had tanned skin as if she lived in California instead of Kansas. Her blonde hair went along with her Californian vibe. The second sister's name was Penelope. She had her sister's blonde hair, but with chocolate brown eyes and a face painted with freckles. MacKenzie was the golden girl of the school. She was always punctual, did her work, and was never truant. Penelope was pretty ordinary compared to MacKenzie. Her grades were pretty basic, she didn't play any sports, and she wasn't necessarily popular either. What Penelope did have going for her is that she loved to sing. She'd spend her freetime singing along to those cheesy pop songs that were overplayed on every radio station as she used her hairbrush as a microphone. She liked to imagine herself singing for crowds of thousands, all of them chanting her name.... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... The pavilion was covered in graffiti from over the years and the park tables had messages carved into them like "Amy and Henry together forever" and "Rachel Ludwig is a backstabber. Do not trust her." Penelope sat her stuff down before sitting on one of the benches. Right now, the park was quiet with her only audience being a jumpy, fat squirrel. Penelope took a deep breath before she closed her eyes and began to quietly sing. As her song went on her voice grew louder and more confident. She imagined herself being on stage instead of on an old, sticky bench. When she finished she was shocked to hear the sound of clapping. Her eyes snapped open and she saw a boy standing in front of her, with his bike by this side. He had scruffy black hair that stuck out from under his orange helmet. His clothes looked like they were made for someone twice his size. When he finished his clapping he gave her a giant, gapped tooth smile. "You're a really good singer!" he ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 28. What Is Penelope's Loyalty In The Odyssey What does a faithful person look like to you? A kind and caring person? One who is loyal? One who would put another's needs above their own? In the book, "The Odyssey," Penelope, (Odysseus' wife), is all of these things. Penelope demonstrates her faithfulness by waiting for Odysseus, resisting sexual temptation, and protecting Odysseus from his enemies. First, Penelope waits for Odysseus. She makes up her mind that she will not marry any other man, despite the pressure she had been receiving from her suitors. When one of her suitors tells her that she is to marry him, she tells him that she would like to weave a rug for their home before she marries him. But Penelope has a plan. Every day, she ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... When some enemy soldiers come to her house and demand to know Odysseus' whereabouts, she points them in the opposite direction of where Odysseus had actually gone. The soldiers believe her, and go the opposite way. So she protects Odysseus even though she could have been killed if the soldiers had found her words to be false. When Penelope is at her home, she overhears a man telling his comrades of his plan to murder Odysseus. She stands by the window, listening to the men's voices. She devises another plan to kill the man who wants to murder her husband. So when no one is around, Penelope brandishes her sword and
  • 29. kills the imbecil. In this way, she protects her true love from one whose wish was to harm him. As the end of the war is approaching, Penelope gets word that Odysseus and his men are to fight one last battle. In hearing this, Penelope prays to Athene, the goddess of war, and convinces her to help Odysseus win the battle. Athene listens to Penelope, and causes the enemy to be defeated. So Penelope protects Odysseus by talking Athene into helping their side win. In hearing of these examples, we can come to the conclusion that Penelope really is faithful ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 30. Penelope In Homer's Odyssey Hot white lightning flashed across the foreboding sky echoing in the clear blue eyes of the woman sitting, observing the gale before her. Penelope sat in her dark chambers, one candle lit on the table offering a cold warmth. Everything seemed dark to Penelope after the disappearance of Odysseus. She stood slowly, the pain of her loss bearing into her bones causing the slight deterioration of her physical and mental state. A goblet of wine was left untouched from when a servant left it to soothe the queen's frayed nerves. Penelope's mind was a tapestry woven with brilliance and ideas, but with time sprinting by after Odysseus left for Troy the tapestry had begun to unweave itself, a once brilliant pattern faded with age and longing for a ship ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Telemakhos, Penelope's only child, had sailed from the island a fortnight ago leaving a weeping mother and suitors who were desperate for her hand in marriage. Her hands trembled as the pulled back the blankets on her bed. The moon shone a liquid silver onto the floor as Poseidon calmed the seas and the swirling onyx black mass mollified and settled into a flat plain stretching past the fingertips of the world. World's held their breath as one single tear rolled down the cheek of a broken queen. Not a sound was uttered as the breath was released and Penelope wiped her cheeks clean of any sign that she had been mourning as she slid out from between the blankets. She crept through her house, though it could have been a stranger's without her lord to make it a home. As she stepped onto the soft grass a warm wind whispered in her ears. Penelope finally reached her destination as the moon reached its acme in the sky. Sand shifted beneath her weight as she climbed down the dunes to the water. Crouching next to the now placid sea that flowed with the secrets of her family's fate, one soft white hand tentatively reached towards the water, scooping it up and bring it to her gaunt ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 31. Penelope In The Raven This is Penelope; she is very kind, loving, passionate, creative, and shy, however, she always has a hard time fitting in with the other birds in her flock. Penelope is a Eurasian Collared–Dove, and her color is as white as the purest snow, unlike most of the other doves in her flock. However, what is so different about Penelope is her golden beak, which isn't found in any other Eurasian Collared–Dove species. She belongs to the flock Bellezza. Penelope had two parents, but they were killed by a hurricane that rapidly formed while they were migrating last year–she misses them greatly for they were the only ones who saw her true colors. Penelope does have two cousins in the flock, but they don't pay much attention to her, and prefer the company ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... She hates having to conform to the life of her flock–for she always likes to take the most scenic route when flying, however, the flock just wants to take the shortest path. Penelope isn't like the members in the flock, for she is creative, adventurous, kind, and cares about all the animals in the world. Contrastingly, the flock is neither creative, adventurous, nor kind, and they only seems to care about themselves. She fears to leave the flock, because she doesn't think she can survive on her own. What Penelope wants most is to be free of the strict rules of Bellezza and be loved as she truly is, even if that means leaving the flock. Penelope's weaknesses are that she's too sensitive, and can get offended easily. She also has a hard time standing up for what she believes in, and usually gets flustered in these situations, thereby, agreeing with people even, if she's against what they're saying. Penelope's strengths lie in knowing what's right, loving all creatures, despite their actions towards her, being able to cleverly come up with solutions to situations, and lastly, being able to sing beautifully, although no one has ever heard her, since she's too nervous to sing in front of the flock and thinks they will make fun of her if she ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 32. Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey Does Odysseus's journey back home worthy, leaving companions behind? As Odysseus comes back home from the battle of the Trojan War, he disguises as a beggar, which he thinks Penelope would not recognize and to see if anyone is still on his side. This seduces Penelope to run tests on Odysseus to see if it really is him. To see ifOdysseus has returned, Penelope demonstrates her cleverness through three methods: an interrogation, a challenge, and a secret. First, Penelope conveys cleverness by creating an interrogation with Odysseus. For example, Odysseus asks Penelope about herself, which she replies, "Ruses served my turn to draw the time out" (1321–1322). As Odysseus is presumed dead, Penelope believes he is still alive and is smart enough to make up tricks until he comes home, as she does not want to marry any of the suitors. Furthermore, Penelope asks Odysseus to tell about himself, which Odysseus replies with a specious tale, "...he is alive and well, and headed homeward now...I swear these things shall turn out as I say...Odysseus will come" (1350–1359). This signifies that she is a match by being smart enough to ask "the beggar" if he knows Odysseus, where he ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... For instance, Penelope tests Odysseus and the suitors, marrying the man who can string Odysseus bow and shoot an arrow through twelve ax hand sockets. Odysseus "in one motion strung the bow...slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it, so the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang a swallow's note" (1376–1379), but none of the suitors did. This shows that Penelope wanted to challenge a group of suitors with Odysseus that only Odysseus could do and is sure that only he could do it. Also, she decides to test Odysseus to prove that he is really her husband. This reveals that she doesn't take his identity for granted and assures herself of Odysseus' identity to see if it really is her husband. Penelope shows cleverness by hosting a ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 33. Odysseus As A Heroic Figure Upon first glance, the story and plot of The Odyssey seems quite comprehensible. Most people will look at Homer's work and will see the great Odysseus as the main character and focus of the story. Odysseus is often viewed by individuals as a heroic figure, an epic hero to be specific, and the King of Ithaca. He is seen as a man who has done the impossible, which includes battling through countless obstacles, slaying monsters and people alike, and somehow, miraculously, managing to make his return home after a grueling twenty years. These statements are exactly what most people envision when they think about The Odyssey. They really have every reason to think this way because after taking just one glance at the title, it is clear how ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... When Penelope heard of this news, "Her knees gave way on the spot, her heart too. She stood there speechless a while, struck dumb, tears filling her eyes, her warm voice choked. At last she found some words to make reply: "Oh herald, why has my child gone and left me? No need in the world for him to board the ships, those chariots of the sea that sweep men on, driving across the ocean's endless wastes ... Does he want his very name wiped off the earth?" (4:792–796). This shows the amount of love that Penelope held in her heart for her son. She was concerned that he may never return back alive again and that she would have to live with the fact that possibly both of her closest family members were dead. It's already evident throughout much of the story that Penelope was distressed a great deal because of Odysseus' absence, but this proves that she was also suffering at the fact that Telemachus was now gone as well. Another example appears a short while after the first example. In this example of uncertainty, Penelope says, "and now again a beloved son is gone on a hollow ship, an innocent all unversed in fighting and speaking, and it is for him I grieve even more than for that other one, and tremble for him and fear, lest something should happen to him either in the country where he has gone, or on the wide sea, for he has many who hate him and are contriving against him and striving to kill him before ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 34. Penelope In Homer's The Odyssey : Penelope As A Hero While traditional readers of Homer's, The Odyssey, view Odysseus as a hero, they often reduce Penelope to Odysseus's helpless wife, but Penelope is more than just a damsel–in–distress. Penelope proves to be Odysseus's heroic equal, as through her resilient, witty and strategic actions she ensures Odysseus fighting advantages over the suitors. Unlike Odysseus Penelope is confined by the gender roles of her time and cannot use physical strength against the suitors or even direct verbal rejection, instead Penelope resorts to her emotional resilience and wit in order to challenge the suitors. She wrongly reassures the suitors that once she finishes weaving a gift for Odysseus's father, she will choose someone to marry her, "'Young men, my suitors, let me finish my weaving, before I marry'...every day she wove on the great loom but every night by torchlight she unwove it." (II. 103–104, 112–113) Penelope's actions are strategic and well calculated. Her main goal, like Odysseus, is to successfully overcome her situation. She understands that she may not be able to physically fight the suitors but she can trick them until Telemachus or Odysseus are able to. By crafting a lie that delays the suitors from marrying her immediately, Penelope restrains the suitors from seizing Ithaca, her household, and posing a threat to Telemachus or Odysseus. Her lie gives Odysseus a crucial advantage in the physical fight against the suitors as he comes back to a city and household where Penelope ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 35. Penelope Loyalty In The Odyssey Penelope is Loyal Penelope shows loyalty even when things weren't going good, because she does this she gets something good out of it. The Odyssey, written by Homer and translated Robert Fagles, shows a loyal wife waiting for her husband to return. While her husband is away, Penelope is pressured by suitors to choose a new husband, but strings a web of lies in order to hold off making a decision. For twenty years she remains loyal in his absence, and, when he finally returns, she tests to make sure it is really him. Throughout the book the Odyssey Penelope shows loyalty at all times. She shows this trait when she breaks down in sadness at even a mention of Odysseus or Troy, when she stays loyal despite the constant pressure to marry a suitor, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... / take it out now, sturdy bed that it is, / and spread it deep with fleece, / blankets and lustrous throws to keep him warm." (23.198–202) She said this because only Odysseus would know that the bed's to sturdy that no one can move it. Penelope is then only one that knows that Odysseus out of all the suitors is the only one that knows that you can't move the bed. In a similar fashion, Penelope is tricking the suitors to think that she will marry one of them but she knows that only Odysseus can complete this task: "I set before you the great bow of king odysseus now! / The hand that can string this bow with greatest ease, / that shoots an arrow clean through all twelve axes– / he is the man I follow, yes, for saking this house / where I was once a bride, this gracious house." She told the suitors to complete a task that can only be completed by Odysseus. She did this because then the suitors will think that she will marry one of them if they complete this, but Odysseus is the only one that can complete this ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 36. Comparing Odysseus And Penelope In Homer's Odyssey Odysseus and Penelope Odysseus and Penelope are one of the oldest and greatest love stories ever known. The couple is most known for their perseverance through the many hardships in life. It's a classic story showing that love trumps all. However, there is much more to the story than people actually know. It's a story about hospitality, loyalty, perseverance, vengeance, spiritual growth. In the story of Odysseus and Penelope, the two fall madly in love the very moment they see each other. They end up marrying soon after. They had a son, Telemachus. Odysseus, now the lord of his island Ithica was sent to fight in the Trojan Warfor ten years, leaving his brand new son and wife. Penelope vowed to wait for her husband to return from war. After ten years, the Trojan War was finally over, but Odysseus' journey was not. For the next ten years, Odysseus was faced with obstacles like charming women and frightening giants. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... He was unfaithful to his beloved Penelope. Since everyone in inthica thought that Odysseus, their king, was dead, many suitors came to marry Penelope. She kept them away for many years, saying that when she finished her shroud for her father–in–law's burial, she would finally marry one of them. Everyday she worked on the loom, but every night she unraveled it to reset any progress she could have made on the shroud to make more time for her husband to come back ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 37. Examples Of Penelope's Loyalty In The Odyssey Is Penelope Loyal? Imagine someone's husband leaves for 20 years would that wife still be loyal to him? In The Odyssey by Homer Odysseus is lost at sea trying to get home to his wife and kid. When he finally gets he has to see if his wife was loyal to him in the 20 years he was gone. There are suitors there that have been trying to marry his wife so he kills them with his son. Penelope is truly loyal to Odysseus in the Odyssey because she does not marry anyone in the 20 years Odysseus was gone. She also does not sleep with someone else in those 20 years. She knows her responsibility.. First in the Odyssey Penelope could have married one of the suitors but she did not. While Penelope does not like the suitors and uses negative words about them. When Penelope was praying to the gods she said, "A night will come when a hateful marriage falls my lot" (18.306). Penelope does not want to be with anyone. Of course Penelope prayed for the suitors to be punished. Penelope was praying and said, "May apollo the archer strike you just as hard!" (17.547). This shows that Penelope does not want to marry any of the suitors. Penelope did not marry anyone in the time Odysseus was gone but she did not. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... By all means the suitors has ate all of their food and will not leave and Penelope thinks Odysseus can only stop them. Penelope said to her maids, "There is no man like Odysseus in command to drive this curse from the house."(17.598). This shows that she thinks that the suitors are weak and are not suitable to marry. Also Penelope was crying because of Odysseus. Penelope was sad that she has not seen Odysseus in 20 years: "Sitting up in her soft bed, returned to tears." (20.64). This show that Penelope still has feelings for Odysseus and she misses him. Penelope had all the suitors and she never slept with any of ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 38. Differences Between Odysseus And Nausikaa I believe that Odysseus should not marry Nausikaa. This is my belief for three reasons. My reasons are: Differences between Odysseus and Nausikaa, Odysseus' relation to Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaka, and Penelope and Telemachus wanting/waiting for Odysseus' return. Odysseus should not marry the beautiful, dreamy, and regal princess, Nausikaa, because there are some differences between them. My first sub–proof is Odysseus is married and Nausikaa is not. My second sub–proof is Odysseus has a son, whereas Nausikaa has no children. My last and final sub–proof of this proof is Ithaka has his family and is his home; Nausikaa and the Phaikaans have nothing that Odysseus can relate to. Odysseus, who is a handsome, wise, and curious king, should not marry Nausikaa, because Odysseus has a relationship with Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaka. The first point is Odysseus is the husband of Penelope; Odysseus is a loyal husband and also, Penelope has been living without a husband for 20 years. The second point is Odysseus is the father of Telemachus; one of Odysseus' goals is to make sure Telemachus is alive, well, and healthy. The third and final point is Odysseus is the king of Ithaka; if Odysseus was to marry Nausikaa, he would be betraying Penelope and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... My first element of this proof is Penelope is being forced to marry one of the suitors. My second element of this proof is Penelope is mourning for Odysseus' and Telemachus' return to Ithaka. My last element of this proof is the suitors are being disrespectful to Penelope's, Odysseus', and Telemachus' home. Again, I believe that Odysseus should not marry Nausikaa. This is my assumption for three proofs. My proofs are: Differences between Odysseus and Nausikaa, Odysseus' relation to Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaka, and Penelope and Telemachus wanting/waiting for Odysseus' ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 39. A Summary Of Penelope In Homer's Odyssey Penelope. The mother of Telemachus and the wife of Odysseus. She felt as if everything in her life was going wrong. Her dear husband had been gone for several years at this point, the suitors would soon be arriving, and her son Telemachus had left in the morning to find Odysseus. This leaves Penelope with who? She could not bare the thought of living in a world where she was constantly surrounded by suitors, so she decided to follow her son. He had left tht town of Ithica several hours before, but she was determined to catch up to him. Penelope packed her bag and left. The journey to find her husband and son was not going to be easy, but anything was better than staying at home. Athena saw that Penelope was in need of a disguise so that she ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Atena warns Penelope that she only has 12 hours to get back to Ithica, before the suitros start to look for her, and her disguise wll no longer do its job. Penelope thanked the well disguised Athena and ran off into the forest with her new look. Penelope had not thought of the dificulties that would come once she entered the maze like forest. Penelope is once again ecountered by Athena, disguised now as a suitor. Penelope sees the "suitor" and hides behind a tree. Penelope was very confused, and didnt understand how a suitor could have alread known that she was missing, she was requestioning the promise that AThena made to her. Athena disguised as the suitor quickly giggles to her self and then runs away. Penelope knew that she should stay away, but she did not have any more time to waste, the forest got very cold and very dark early in the day. Penelope had lived the past 20 years of her life without her lover. She had gotten used to not having anyone to sleep next to her, and talk about hiow she was feeling, but for some reason the forest made her lonlier and sadder than she had ever been before. The level of silence was ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 40. Role Of Penelope In The Odyssey Imagine having a husband who runs off and leaves for 20 years in order to fight in a war that was none of his business in the first place. That's how Penelope from The Odyssey must feel. Her husband Odysseus leaves her to be a part of the Trojan war and then goes on many of his own expeditions. Each of the three texts: The Odyssey by Homer, Penelope to Ulysses by Anne Kilegrew, and Penelope by Dorothy Parker presents Odysseus' wife in a different manner. In Homers The Odyssey, Penelope is depicted as clever yet melancholy and defeated. Penelope is quite clever because she is able to come up with ruses to prevent her remarriage to one of her many suitors. One of these ruses is that she tells her suitors she cannot get married until she finishes weaving a blanket for her father, but every night she unweaves the blanket a small amount so it takes longer to make. Despite being clever, Penelope is feeling melancholy since Odysseus has been away for so long and she misses him. She describes her feelings as having "years of pain" (Homer 1312) Along with melancholy, she is defeated from trying to fend off her... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ... Odysseus is out having a good and relaxing time out on the seas. She believes he is "riding the silver seas" out in the ocean which she thinks is unfair while she's stuck at home. Meanwhile, Penelope is sitting at home doing jobs that women are supposed to do. She does boring hard work like bleaching linen, sewing, and brewing tea all while Odysseus is sailing away. This causes Penelope to be bitter because Odysseus will get all the credit and she will get no recognition. She states that "they will call him brave." while he has been having a great time "where the world and sky are one". Penelope's point of view in this poem demonstrates how unfair gender roles can be and how frustrating it is to not get credit for hard ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 41. Penelope And Penelope In The Odyssey Both Penelope and Odysseus put others through trials in books 19, 21, and 23 in order to test their loyalty and identity. The trait of constantly testing others eludes to the little trust that Odysseus and Penelope have in others making them a perfect match for each other. In Book 19 Homer shows Odysseus in the presence Penelope describing to her how well she is known and why. He suggests that her fame "has reached the vaulting skies" and that the kingdom she has built is "proud and strong" and under her "sovereign way" her people "flourish" (19: 118–120, 124). All of these positive attributes Odysseus is mentioning serve the purpose of testing Penelope on if she is still loyal by acknowledging how these are all things Odysseus thinks he has ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...
  • 42. Helen Of Troy, By Margaret Atwood Unlike the many versions of Helen of Troy, in Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad, she paints the infamous woman as imperfect, as a siren, a goddess, a murderer. By making the reader see Helen through Penelope's eyes, new layers are added to this character so often sought after. Helen and Penelope's dynamic adds a layer to not only The Penelopiad, but also to the male–dominated Odyssey. These factors create a dynamic feminine force, and both women are in multiple ways a foil to one another. Many of Penelope's insecurities comes from her own view of herself and the way her experiences have shaped her. At the very beginning of the novel she says "Hadn't I been faithful? Hadn't I waited, and waited, and waited, despite the temptation–almost the compulsion–to do otherwise? And what did I amount to, once the official version gained ground? An edifying legend. A stick used to beat other women with" (Pg. 2, The Penelopiad). Penelope already has immense difficulty with herself and her identity. It is an interesting dichotomy. In one way Penelope wants to be like Helen because she doesn't have the status of a legendary faithful wife. However, she is forgetting that Helen does have her own legendary status, one that Penelope sometimes longs for, but is most likely unsatisfactory in its own way. One of Penelope's biggest jealousies for Helen is the amount of power she has over all she encounters, in life and death. When Penelope first settles into her new life she states "...there was ... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...