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PENELOPE, STRONG OR NAHHH?
That picture up there, yeah that is how I am seeing Penelope right now, as a damsel in distress. In the beginning, Penelope was this strong and smart lady who stayed loyal to her husband, whose been gone, for twenty years. I am pretty sure it's really difficult to be away from your hubby for that long, while living with a whole bunch a men who desperately want you. So why crack under pressure now?
I was rooting for Penelope to keep doing her thing, I thought she didn't need a man; until she turned herself into a grand prize. She says to the suitors:
"... suitors indeed, you commandeered this house to feast and drink in, day and night, my husband being long gone, long out of mind. You found no justification for yourselves- none except your lust to marry me. Stand up then: we now declare a contest for that prize." (393: 70-75)There were also many episodes of Penelope continually crying for her husband or just very depressed. Don't get me wrong, I am not blaming Penelope. From what we know about Greek mythology, women always manage to turn into weak, needy women. Penelope represents what most men thought about women in that time period (and today); that woman can't survive without men, or that women are depressed when they are destitute of a man. Even worse, they think women throw themselves unto another man if their husband is away for too long. THIS IS NOT TRUE... well at least not for some of us. Penelope turned into a damsel in distress; she loses herself worth by turning herself into an object to be won by these disgusting men that did nothing but disrespect her in her home. WHY can't a woman in Greek mythology remain a strong, normal woman without falling into these stereotypes.
Poor Penelope
I really like your picture. I think it goes along with Penelope perfectly and I also imagined her to be this way. Everytime I read about her it depressed me as well because she was so negative about Odysseus being gone. I found her to be very annoying, but I also can't judge her because I would be sad if my man left too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what your saying Jessica, but I do not think that her emotions make her weak. I think that Penelope's emotions about Odysseus make her strong, and are the reason she waits for him. A typical women in Greece may have simply left her husband and remarried. Penelope had the guts to wait, she was not ashamed of her belief that Odysseus may one day come back. Also the quote you mentioned I think is a testament to her loyalty to Odysseus because she believes no man to be great enough to use his bow. Plus her juju is up there.
ReplyDeleteReally? I think Penelope is a very strong woman. She carries on with her life with her head held high when the beggar, Oedipus, enters her house. I don't think that Penelope publicly mourns for Oedipus (because I haven't seen any evidence of it). When she is around people, she is still dignified and she treats people hospitable. I think that makes her a strong person.
ReplyDeleteI would first like to say that I can see that you're really passionate about this topic which made this even more interesting to read. However, I have to agree with Genesis and Hilda in saying that the character of Penelope was radical for her time. When reading literature we have to take everything into context. In this case, Penelope was in fact going out the societal norm by refusing to choose a suitor and waiting for her husband. A woman of her time as was the case with Klytaimnestra was often portrayed as a "tramp" who was deceitful and lured men in with the temptation of sex. Penelope contradicts this ideal. Her final decision to choose a suitor was not one of weakness but rather a political responsibility to Ithaca. This was a time period of constant war the lack of a strong political figure was leaving Ithaca vulnerable to invasions. Also the task in which Penelope used to choose a suitor proved to be impossible. So in my PERSONAL opinion Penelope is still a strong admirable female figure not only for the Greeks but for modern time as well.
ReplyDeleteYea I have to agree with Hilda, Genesis, and Genever. Penelope did cry a lot but I don't think that makes her weak. I mean if something hurts tremendously, it's perfectly normal and human to cry right? Some may even say that crying is a form of strength. In addition, I don't think that Penelope turned herself into a prize although it does seem like she does if you don't get in between of the lines in the text. Penelope knows exactly what she's doing when she tells the suitors to draw a bow that she knows only Odysseus can draw(it's kind of like how the glass slipper can only fit Cinderella's foot). As a result, Odysseus gets to also see who will continue to be disloyal to him by trying to draw this bow. So she actually really helps Odysseus.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Great Job jess.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late but you should t have given up on Penelope so early. She knew what she was doing. She pulled through for us in the end.
Her emotions does not make her weak. Even the tough ones cry sometimes. I'm pretty sure I would have cried if my husband did not return to me in twenty years with no way of knowing if he was alive or not. Also, (even though I am late) the quote you used was a sign of her loyalty. She knew what she was doing when she decided to make the contest and give herself as a prize. She knew that no one would win because only Odysseus could shoot the arrow. She may be emotional but she is a very clever woman.
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