FREE ESSAY ON PENELOPE'S ROLE IN THE ODYSSEY

PENELOPE'S ROLE IN THE ODYSSEY

The character of Penelope in Homer's Odyssey reflects the faithful wife who waits twenty
years for the arrival of her husband. Only a strong woman could sustain the stress,
anxiety and confusion resulting from the chaos of a palace with a missing king whose fate
is unknown. Her responsibilities and commitments toward the man she loves are
particularly difficult to keep, under the strain of the situation. Although she does not
actively pursue an effort to find him, her participation in the success of Odysseus'
homecoming can be seen in her efforts to defend and protect the heritage, reputation and
the House of Odysseus in his absence. As Odysseus withstands his trial, Penelope
withstands her trials against temptations to give in to the many anxious suitors, to give
up on her faith and respect for her religion, her husband and even her self. Penelope's
strength in keeping the highest standards in her function as a wife, woman and mother
contributes to the success of Odysseus' homecoming by keeping the home and family for him
to come back to.
Through many examples Homer indicates to us the standards of those times. Major examples
about what is valued in a wife are encapsulated in book 6 (about Nausikaa). Homer uses
this short story to present a standard from which we can evaluate Penelope's performance.
In making a comparison we see that Penelope never stood idle and helpless. She continued
to perform the duties expected of her, while her husband was missing.
Athena guides Nausikaa with a list of how to prepare herself for marriage. Of major
importance is the upkeep of the household as well as good personal hygiene (starting as
line 25), and as a young woman must try to please her parents. In all the instances
Penelope scores perfectly. Penelope is always bathing, protects her beauty, and she
respects her parents.
Also in book 6 we have a reinforcement of the standard functions of the woman and the
man. Nausikaa's mother is with her female attendants, weaving clothes. Nausikaa's father
is shown on his way to the council with other male officials (line 50). This same
distinction of roles is often referred to in the whole poem. Telemachos often tells his
mother, as in book 1 line 356, to go back to her distaff, while he was to attend
political councils: 
Go therefore back in the house and take up your own work, the loom and distaff, and see
to it that your handmates ply their work also; but the men must see a discussion, all
men, but I most of all.
Penelope as usual performs this duty of the household faithfully.
All those duties however are a part of a larger goal, the goal keeping a good name for
oneself in the eyes of others and the eyes of gods. We see finally in the Nausikaas short
episode, the most important factor a woman must realize. Nausikaa directs Odysseus to the
city but recommends that he goes by himself to avoid the scandal that might arise if she
were seen bringing in a male stranger. It is Precisely this the best reputation which is
presented in the Odyssey as the most valued goal in life. Penelope's responsibility is to
develop and maintain the best reputation. As wife she must preserve the reputation of her
husband, her family, and must maintain the system of the household. As a woman she must
arise above scandal and maintain a position in society. 
Her position in society is only revealed in relationship to the patriarchy. As a wife and
family member, she preserves the heritage and foundation of her patriarchal lineage.
Whenever she approaches the suitors she continually reminds them to their sense of
history, their fathers, and the past. She further admonishes them for not behaving in a
manner appropriate to their past:
You keep gathering here consuming away much livelihood, the propery of wise Telemachos,
nor have you listened to what you heard from you fathers before you... (Book IV 686-689)
In direct relationship to her defense of her patriarchal heritage is the defense of her
husband's reputation. She protects her husband's position by never compromising to marry
the many suitors until the hour she finishes the web-when Telemachos grows up to govern:
Young men, my suitors now that the great Odysseus has perished, wait, though you are
anger to marry me, until I finish this web... (Book II line 96-98)
She indirectly keeps Odysseus power and authority alive since is not that powerful she is
holding out.
In public statements she repeatedly boasts her husbands' fame:
** so dear a head do I long whenever I am reminded of my husband, whose fame goes through
Hellas and midmost Argos. (book I line 343-345)
Also she says in book IV line 724 ... I lost a husband with a heart of a lion and who
among Danaans surpassed in all virtues... In this was Penelope reinforces the authority
of Odysseus and keeps his reputation great.
Penelope is able to keep the palace in order too. She still maintains the system of
philoxenia, however is a response to the will of the gods which she respects and is
faithful to.
Her network of communication also remains strong a d efficient under circumstances. Even
though she is physically isolated from the outside activity she had reliable and faithful
messenger service especially from Medon, Dolios and Eurykleia. They keep her formed on
the conspiracies of the suitors and provide information about Telemachos and Odysseus.
For example, she receives word from Medon:
... Now they are minded to kill Telemachos with sharp bronze on his way home. Book IV
line 700
Right away Penelope directs another messenger to spread the word to the appropriate
authorities.
Before the eyes of the gods, Penelope never wishes to tarnish her reputation either. She
honors them regularly in a ritual of bathing, anointing herself and her handmaidens with
olive oil, saying prayers and sometimes making sacrifices. 
From all the above we see that Penelope reflects successfully the faithful wife, the
strong woman, the responsible woman the woman who cares about herself. She is loyal both
to the principles of the palace and the principles of those times. During Odysseu's
absence she continued to perform the duties expected of her very well and that is the
reason, I believe that she managed to achieve the best reputation for Odysseus and
herself, even though woman's role was restricted at that time. Like I always say behind
evey great man there stands a greater woman.
Bibliography
homers odyssey