Penelope's Dilemma in the Odyssey: Loyalty, Cultural Norms, and Divine Intervention

In Homer's

Penelope faces a challenging situation with the suitors who have overrun her home in Ithaca, believing Odysseus to be dead. While it might seem pragmatic for her to marry one of the suitors and then poison him to eliminate the others, there are several compelling reasons why she does not adopt this approach.

Loyalty to Odysseus

Penelope remains deeply loyal to her husband Odysseus. She believes he will return and marrying a suitor would be a betrayal of her commitment to him. Her unwavering loyalty is a central theme in the narrative, showcasing her strength and devotion.

Cultural Norms

In the context of ancient Greek society, a woman's honor and reputation were of utmost importance. Marrying a suitor could tarnish Penelope's reputation and legacy, regardless of her intentions. Poisoning a husband, even a forced one, would also be seen as a heinous and immoral act.

Fear of Consequences

Engaging in such treachery could have dire consequences not only for Penelope but also for her son Telemachus. The suitors are powerful figures, and any act of betrayal could lead to violent retribution against her family.

Hope for Odysseus

Penelope holds onto the hope that Odysseus will return. She devises clever strategies to delay the suitors, such as weaving and unweaving a burial shroud, rather than resorting to violent measures. This highlights her intelligence and resourcefulness.

Divine Intervention

The gods play a significant role in the

and Penelope's fate is intertwined with divine will. The eventual return of Odysseus is part of a larger narrative that involves the gods' plans, particularly Athena's support for Odysseus and Penelope.

In summary, Penelope's decisions are influenced by her loyalty, cultural norms, the potential consequences of her actions, her hope for Odysseus's return, and the overarching narrative shaped by divine intervention. These factors illustrate her character as a complex and resilient figure within the epic.

Because that's not what a nice girl does. And poor Penelope knows that if she marries, her son Telemachus is as good as dead. The suitors want Ithaca. That's the only reason they want to marry a middle-aged woman. But they want to pass the kingdom to their own heirs, not Telemachus. Having got the kingdom, they would have no further use for mother or son. They are likely to poison Penelope and her son. That really seems a more likely scenario than her pining for Odysseus all those years. Though no doubt she's missed him, what can she do until Telemachus grows up?

Odyseus's father is no help. He's old and feeble. It was quite clever to assume the pose she did. What suitor can object to a virtuous widow refusing to marry until she completes the dead husband's shroud? But as soon as her son is old enough to travel, she sends him looking for dad. It doesn't occur to the rude little twit that in doing so, she is putting him out of danger and herself with no help at all. In any case, poisoning her new husband would have justified her murder by the next would-be king.