Odyssey

A detailed Summary of Odyssey


Homer's Odyssey provides, for the modern individual, an insight into to an unfamiliar universe. Amidst this fantasy world are elements of the real culture of ancient Greece. By examining this poem one can be clued into women's roles within the culture, which are exemplified by the character Penelope. The predicament, in which the Odysseus's wife is torn between remaining loyal to her missing husband or choosing another, is a portrayal of her distinct powers and significant responsibilities. The great beauty's overwhelming responsibility is to choose a suitor and her powers are what allow her to manipulate many situations to stay true to her husband.

Penelope's powers take form in her strength of character. Her intelligence, cunning and sharp wit enable her to outmaneuver the suitors in many instances. This builds up to the climax of her abilities when Penelope is able to trick her godlike husband in to revealing intimate details regarding the marital bed. Now she can be assured it is truly Odysseus. Preceding the climax when she is introduced as a character, we learn of her agony over her the absence of her presumably dead husband, which shows her desire to remain loyal to the hero. It is this loyalty


responsibility. This illustrates that women are insubordinate showing a patriarchal society, with Penelope trying to resist.



Some common words found in the essay are:
Prior Penelope's, Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus Preceding, choose suitor, responsibility choose suitor, ancient greece, odysseus's wife, son angry, responsibility choose, marital bed,

Approximate Word count = 1192
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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