Discussion leader : Andrew Mai
In the play “The penelopiad” written by margaret atwood the author sheds light on a woman’s perspective on the odyssey and how she felt throughout the whole incident with odysseus stuck at sea. One particular part which caught my eye was :
“ As the years passed i found myself making inventories – and planning the palace menus and wardrobes. Though slave garments were coarse, they did fall apart after a while and had to be replaced, so i needed to tell the spinners and weavers what to make. The grinders of corn were on the low end of the hierarchy, and were kept locked in an outbuilding – usually were put there for bad behaviour and sometimes there were fights among them so i had to be aware of any animosities and vendettas. “
To understand why i chose this statement i will share some background on the story. Even though odysseus had encountered multiply difficulties on his way home he spent a lot of time “ forced “ into showing affection to goddesses, Circe and calypso. Even though he was cursed by poseidon to be stuck at sea he still encountered his share of luxuries so to speak and penelope was stuck to pick up after the palace’s slack.
The statement i brought up goes to show that women of that age was use to being housewives and not doing labour at all and the fact that she stayed loyal and faithful while doing all of these chores says a lot about her. It was interesting that in the penelopiad that atwood was able to show the readers how vigilant penelope was during the times when odysseus was gone.
Discussion question : Do you think you would have to strength to take over a palace for over two decades if you husband went missing? If not how would you uphold the palace?
No responses yet