Penelope, in Greek mythology, a daughter of Icarius of Sparta and the nymph Periboea and wife of the hero Odysseus. They had one son, Telemachus. To spare herself their importunities she insists that they wait until she has woven a shroud for Laertes, father of Odysseus.
How long did Penelope wait for Odysseus?
twenty years She waits twenty years for Odysseus return, during which time she devises various strategies to delay marrying any of the 108 suitors (led by Antinous and including Agelaus, Amphinomus, Ctessippus, Demoptolemus, Elatus, Euryades, Eurymachus and Peisandros).
Why did Penelope stay loyal to Odysseus?
She did not choose a suitor until she knew for sure that Odysseus was dead. To delay the decision of choosing a suitor, Penelope said she would marry a suitor after she had finished weaving her shroud. This shows loyalty to Odysseus because he risks his life to know of his well being.
Why did Penelope wait so long for Odysseus and not pick a suitor?
For three years, Penelope has put off choosing a husband among the suitors by saying that she must first finish weaving a shroud for Laertes. Each day she weaves and each night she unravels her days work. Thus she delays for three years until a treacherous maid spills the beans.
Where did Penelope wait Odysseus?
He knows it, too. More than anything else, Penelope seems to represent home. She sure spends a lot of time there, and not even in the public spaces. Eumaios describes her as waiting for Odysseus with enduring heart in the palace (16.37), but shes not hanging out with the suitors.
What happened to Penelope after Odysseus died?
They also affirm that after Odysseus death, Penelope was made immortal by Circe and sent to the Islands of the Blest together with Telegonus 3.
Does Odysseus really love Penelope?
Penelope and Odysseus love each other. Though they are separated for twenty years, they remain focused on reuniting. Odysseus uses his wits to get home to Penelope, and Penelope uses her wits to avoid marrying any of the many suitors who hope to take Odysseuss place. Penelope is the emblem of the faithful wife.
Why did Penelope do so much weaving?
The story of the loom symbolizes the queens clever tactics. For three years, Penelope worked at weaving a shroud for the eventual funeral of her father-in-law, Laertes. She claimed that she would choose a husband as soon as the shroud was completed.
What happened to Odysseus and Penelope?
A large and rowdy mob of suitors who have overrun Odysseuss palace and pillaged his land continue to court his wife, Penelope. She has remained faithful to Odysseus. Unknown to the suitors, Odysseus is still alive. The beautiful nymph Calypso, possessed by love for him, has imprisoned him on her island, Ogygia.
Why did Penelope trick the suitors?
In the Odyssey, Penelopes chief strategy to trick the suitors is to claim that she cannot marry until she has woven a burial shroud for Laertes, the father of Odysseus. She works at the shroud during the day but unravels it at night so that it is never finished.
Why does Penelope allow the suitors to stay?
Odysseus wife, Penelope, has suitors because she is physically attractive and possesses great wealth. So, another reason Penelope has suitors is because she is expected to remarry. At the beginning of the story, we are told that Penelope has not made her intentions clear to the suitors.
Did Penelope become immortal?
They also affirm that after Odysseus death, Penelope was made immortal by Circe and sent to the Islands of the Blest together with Telegonus 3.
Who did Odysseus cheat on his wife?
After that Odysseus traveled to Calypsos island. Not only did he cheat with Calypso in addition to Circe, but he stayed on her island for seven years until Zeus ordered her to release him.
Should Penelope stay married to Odysseus?
Yes, Penelope remained a faithful wife to Odysseus while he was away. Despite the large amount of suitors, Penelope never betrayed her husband. They remain with her for all of Odysseus journey, but she always finds a way to put them off until a later time.
Why are the suitors courting Penelope?
During the prolonged absence of Odysseus, the SUITORS OF PENELOPE began courting his wife. Penelope disliked the SUITORS attentions, and in order to win time fooled them with the help of The Shroud of Laertes, which she wove by day and unravelled by night.
Why did Penelope not remarry?
Penelope didnt have a choice. She may have been Queen of Ithaca, but she had little actual power. All men loyal to Odysseus had followed him to Troy, she simply had no way of forcing the suitors to leave the palace. And of course she feared that antagonizing the suitors in any way would put Telemachus life in danger.
How does Penelope avoid marrying the suitors?
Penelope stalls the suitors for three years by saying that she would marry when she is finished weaving a shroud for Odysseuss family. She would weave during the day and undo her work at night, so she would never finish. NOTE: The burial shroud will be the final act of respect for Odysseuss family.
How did Penelope died?
With this gentle suitor, they say, Penelope had a love affair, and for that reason, they add, she was killed by her own husband. They also affirm that after Odysseus death, Penelope was made immortal by Circe and sent to the Islands of the Blest together with Telegonus 3.
Does Penelope know Odysseus cheated?
When Odysseus returns, Penelope doesnt recognize him and cannot be sure that Odysseus is really who he says he is. Penelopes determination to test Odysseus shows that she is intelligent and not easily tricked. In this way, she is very like Odysseus.
Why does Penelope cry so much?
1. Shes most upset about Odysseuss failure to return home: Shes perpetually crying and expressing her grief.
How does Odysseus show his love for Penelope?
Penelope and Odysseus love each other. Odysseus uses his wits to get home to Penelope, and Penelope uses her wits to avoid marrying any of the many suitors who hope to take Odysseuss place. Penelope is the emblem of the faithful wife. She never gives up on Odysseus and never is disloyal to him.