The Character Of Penelope In Homer's Odyssey

In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey Penelope’s devotion to Odysseus resulted in the suitors becoming anxious and irritated with her strategies to stay married. While Odysseus was off at war and traveling home for over twenty years Penelope, his wife, was left to be alone. After his departure there was no news about him for a while, so everyone assumed that Penelope was a widow. More importantly, she was single and the kingdom was up for grabs. Suitors swarmed her house hoping to win her over. However, Penelope felt it in her gut that one day her love will return to her. She stayed loyal to Odysseus, even when he did not to her. She never fell into the trap of the suitors charm. Even after years of no sign of his return Penelope became more strategic with her plans in stopping the suitors. Her most elaborate scheme kept the men off her back for the majority of the twenty
With Odysseus in mind she told the suitors, “Young men - my suitors, now my lord is dead,/ let me finish my weaving, before I marry” (Homer 1324 and 1325). Penelope decided that weaving was in her best interest if she ever wanted to be with Odysseus again. She knew that the men would not be able to deny her proposition, for it seemed to be her only way to morn. And if they were to, Penelope could easily call them out for not respecting her and take them out of the race the rule Furthermore, Penelope knew how to outsmart the suitors with another scheme she had; “So everyday I wove on the great loom,/ but every night by torchlight I unwove it” (Homer 1333 and 1334). With the men’s approval to weave before she were to remarry, she took advantage of the time she was given. Every night by unweaving