Queen Penelope the Heroine - Homer's Odyssey

Ulysses (Odysseus) and Penelope - Image Francesco Primaticcio

In classical literature women rarely pursue heroic acts. Queen Penelope's use of art as a form of resistance in Homer's Odyssey, proves otherwise.

Greek heroes defined by adventure not 'house-wifery'

Pre-classical and classical Greek literature, such as Homer’s epic poems, the Odyssey and Iliad, often define their heroes through journeys in which struggles against gods, demons or destiny arise. Success affords the hero recognition, honour and fame. In contrast, throughout classic literature, women, confined to their homes, rarely take a physical journey; instead they await their husband's return. Accordingly, ancient Greek culture denies a woman of ‘her journey’ and consequently 'her freedom' to voice her opinions, experiences and insights.

Women are not portrayed as adventure seekers but villains or victims

The belief that women and home are synonymous is deeply embedded in classical civilisations. Women are hardly portrayed as adventure seekers and partakers in heroic events, rather they are more traditionally depicted as subordinates, villains or victims. Nonetheless, scattered throughout literature, there are women who act astutely, courageously and autonomously and deserve to be entitled “heroines”.

Ulysses (Odysseus) and Penelope - Image Jan de Bray

 Penelope Queen of Ithaca - an unheard female voice

One such woman is Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, in Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. As a surrogate leader, the Queen of Ithaca is often perceived as merely a loyal wife, since she symbolises fidelity, compliance and deference. Her story remains virtually untold, her voice rarely heard, unless you read Margaret Atwood’s, The Penelopiad. 
Yet, on reflection, when analysing the Odyssey closely, Penelope’s character surfaces as innovative and self-determining; she embodies the struggle of women to be given a voice and an identity and she refuses to be an ineffectual actor in the unfolding drama. Irrefutably, as the plot develops, it becomes clear that the queen-in-waiting plays an important role in the meaning of 'The Odyssey'.

Penelope uses craft and art as a form of resistance

During her husband’s absence, Penelope is required to respect the limits of acceptable behaviour and maintain control over her destiny, kingdom and household. As ruler, she must remain composed, in command and not succumb to any external pressures that confront her. However, Penelope's many suitors badgering her to remarry, present her with a constant challenge. 
To avert their unrelenting pestering, she delays their demands by using her craft of weaving. On the surface, her loom may be viewed as an instrument that forces a woman to work at home by the fireplace thus defining both a woman’s physical space inside the home and her social position within the family. Ingeniously, however, Penelope reveals the loom’s greater symbolic significance beyond that of a work station by the hearth. Through her craftwork, Penelope demonstrates feminine creativity and more importantly, the power of art as a form of resistance.

Queen Penelope shrewd and resilient

Penelope’s scheme, extending over a three-year period, of partially unraveling the sacred shroud she weaves daily, helps postpone numerous marriage proposals. Thus the Queen of Ithaca exploits her loom to gain power in an essentially powerless situation. Similar to Odysseus, who exercises shrewdness and fortitude on his journey home from the Trojan War, she too utilises astuteness and resilience and remains loyal to her absent husband by using her handiwork to withstand seduction.

Queen Penelope ingenuously stalls her admirers

Once Penelope’s deception is uncovered, instead of succumbing to her admirers' desires, she uses good judgment, foresight and intellect - traits characteristic of a “hero” - to forestall them once again. She exercises these qualities in the face of insurmountable doubt as to the whereabouts of Odysseus and in doing so mirrors many of his characteristics.

Queen Penelope strong and faithful

Classical literature characterises a hero by his brave deeds, courage, and special strengths. As we search literary texts, the feminine, heroic voice is conspicuous in its absence. Penelope, however, represents an anomaly, since, far from being the archetypal treacherous, irrational and unreliable woman, she emerges as a strong, thoughtful character whose resolve allows Homer’s Odyssey to promote its heroic tale within its tragicomic narrative.

Sources:

• Atwood, M., The Penelopiad, Canongate Books, London, 2005.
• Homer, The Odyssey, CRW Publishing, London, 2004.

Adapted from an article first published Aug 3, 2011 on Suite101  by Lesley Lanir
Copyright Lesley Lanir. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.