penlopes control
Everyone wants control. There is this notion that exists deep down in people that some minds thrive to obtain control over others. This could be for a verity of reasons. Some need it because they have a dominant personality, some because of their insecurities, others because they are used to the respect and power that is associated with it. In The Odyssey, Penelope clearly represents the last need. She has to deal with the suitors that alienate her in her own husband's house, and she has to deal with them as hospitably as possible. But because she likes control in her life and over others surrounding her, she would like to see a change in the way that the suitors relate with the people of her house and her. Penelope's penchant to want control, causes her to manipulate the suitors by tricking them and lecturing them. With good reason, Penelope abhors the suitors. They are exhausting her family's resources and forgetting the past kindness that Odysseus displayed. "Oh how I hate their pursuit of me and the way they swarm around! They'd never feast here again, if I could stop them. Yes, the whole gang of you that come here day by day, fleecing us of out livelihood...Whereas Odysseus never wronged a soul. Which only serves to sho
Since her ability to trick the suitors only worked for a matter of time, she moved on to a more direct approach of controlling them. Her new strategy is much more direct and lends itself to a more manly "doer" attitude. "Meanwhile here is something that is causing me the utmost distress. Yours is by no means the right and time-honored way for rivals to conduct their suit for a lady of good family and a rich man's daughter! Such suitors bring in their own cattle and sheep to make a banquet for the lady's friends, and also give her valuable presents. They do not enjoy free meals at her expense" (Page 281). She is giving the suitors direct orders as to the way that they should act in order impress her. She adds a twist; she threatens their manliness. Penelope indicates that they are not properly filling their role as suitors. This is all in the hopes that they will fall in to her hands and obey what she says. The suitors were there for the free ride, if they happened to win Penelope's heart, then all the better, but they were not going to put themselves out for it. She was clearly not giving them the message that they were going to be successful if they tried, so they didn't. Although Penelope tries to control the suitors, she is not very successful. You cannot train the unwilling; you may be able to divert their attention for a while, but it will not last. Penelope had the mentality that she somehow deserved the ability to control the
Some common words found in the essay are:
Lord Laertes, Odyssey Penelope, , control suitors, past kindness, manipulate suitors, penelope control,
Approximate Word count = 974
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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