In order to decide which suitor would be best for her to marry, Penelope sets up a test. He is described as being “delighted at her words, because she was extorting gifts from her suitors” This shows how alike the couple actually are, they are both materialistic and her desire for gifts is useful to Odysseus as it will bring him more glory when he returns, as he does not intend for a marriage to actually take place. Odysseus himself approves of the idea, because Penelope uses this possible union to persuade the suitors to give her gifts. Therefore to a contemporary audience this would have made her even more honourable, despite the fact that she would be being unfaithful to Odysseus.

This would have been a good quality for a woman in Ancient Greek times to have, as women were submissive to their husbands. Penelope says that she sees “approaching me the night when I must accept a detestable union.” Showing again her loyalty to Odysseus, she is willing to do something that will make her unhappy because it is what Odysseus asked her to do, showing obedience to her husband. He told that if he hadn’t returned when Telemachus was old enough to grow a beard that she should remarry. At this point in the story, because Telemachus has grown up through his journey, Penelope considers the instructions that Odysseus left her with before he went to Troy. After the suitors beat and humiliate the disguised Odysseus, she requests an audience with him because she feels sympathetic, showing her caring nature. When Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, he is disguised as a beggar and so Penelope does not appear to recognise him. This also reflects well on Odysseus, and it appears that one of Penelope’s functions in the story is to bring glory to Odysseus, through her reputation. When Odysseus reaches the afterlife and speaks to Agamemnon, he says “never be too trustful, even of your wife” because “Women are no longer to be trusted.” However he also says that Penelope is wise and loyal, and would never kill Odysseus, showing that people have a lot of respect for her and she is regarded as an excellent wife. This would possibly suggest that Penelope cannot be trusted, and this is a theme throughout the Odyssey in terms of women. She believes she cannot reject them outright, and the Suitors see themselves as the victims of this situation, telling Telemachus that “it is your own mother, that incomparable schemer who is the culprit.” This is because she said she would marry one of the suitors after she had woven a funeral shroud for Laertes, but every night she would undo what she had done that day, until she was caught. For example, she often uses clever tactics to delay the suitors proposal’s to her. On the other hand, Penelope also displays cunning and wit, and is not always helpless. For example, Telemachus doesn’t tell her when he is leaving because he fears she will be too upset, showing her fragile emotional state. Her emotions also mean that she is sometimes excluded from plans, however. This shows that Athene cares about Penelope and her happiness, and to the Greeks being worthy of the God’s interference meant you were special.

She is shown to be very emotional, and Athene often tries to comfort her using dreams or by sending her to sleep. Her loyalty to Odysseus would have been seen as incredibly noble to an ancient audience. She is loyal to Odysseus saying that she “hates” the Suitors pursuit of her, showing that she has no intention to marry them. She is upset over Odysseus’ disappearance and Telemachus’ situation appears to be more than she can cope with. In Book 4 when Penelope finds that Telemachus has left Ithaca and that when he returns the suitors planned to kill him she is described as anguished and weeping bitterly. How is the character of Penelope portrayed in the Odyssey?

Penelope odyssey character