Eng2800: Mapping the Ancient World

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For my part of the discussion based on Books 17 to 24 I will want to discuss closer the character of Odysseus’ s wife, Penelope. In my opinion Penelope is a very complex character. While it is hard not to agree that her husband, Odysseus is easily describable as a cunning and brave hero I find it much harder to assess Penelope’s personality. It can be assumed that such champion as Odysseus deserves a great wife that can at least match his virtues. Is Penelope as strong as Odysseus, is she worthy being a wife of this Greek iconic hero? Does she reflect the traits that Odysseus has? Is her way of handling the absence of her husband and harassment of the suitors worth admiring just as much as how Odysseus fought his way back home or does it prove that Penelope is a weak person?

The article that inspired me to ask these and similar question is Penelope’s Role in the Odyssey: Ideal Wife and Lover – A Female Odysseus by Alex Sisti. The author of this article claims that Penelope is the equal of Odysseus and fully worth being his wife. As the title of the article suggest, Alex Sisti goes even further and says and she is the female version of Odysseus and is an example of a perfect Homeric wife and lover. Do you agree with this? Do you admire Penelope as a character and do you put her on the same level as Odysseus? Which virtues makes her Odysseus soul mate and which of her characteristics speaks against her? Is Penelope a woman that you could admire rigtht now, in our reality?

My name is Gregory Szymanski. My major is Finance. I don’t have one favorite book, as there are several books that I like equally. I do have a favorite author. His name is Terry Pratchett and I really enjoy reading his Discworld series.