Moment Penelope example essay topic

After Penelope put the suitors through a final test, she showed them Odysseus bow and said she would marry whoever could shoot an arrow through the holes of twelve axes in a row. One after one they tried, but they could not even pull the string. The beggar Odysseus asked to have a go, and under ridicule and laughter he shot a perfect arrow through the twelve axes, then turned the bow against the suitors and started killing them with the help of Telemachus. After this the treacherous maids were punished, and finally, the palace was clear. I think that during this moment Penelope already had recognized her husband, because this bow was Odysseus and only he could pull the string. Penelope knew about it, because why would she set up such a test.

It was not spontaneous decision to set up the test, because if she was waiting for her husband for so many years, why would she (even though there were some factors) put up the test. I think that she already had a feeling that Odyssey has returned. At this point there were no suitors and she could have little doubt of whether accept this man as her husband or not. However, Penelope was smart and loyal woman and even if she was 99 percent sure that this beggar is actually Odysseus, she still would decide to have more evidence. Penelope has doubts that it could actually be him, If really he is Odysseus, truly home, beyond all doubt we two shall know each other better than you or anyone. There are secret signs we know, we two.

(318) The problem was resolved when Odysseus told Penelope that their bed was made of olive tree, a secret only he would know, she finally believed. In my opinion, there is evidence that Penelope recognized Odysseus after he shot a perfect arrow through the twelve axes. She knew exactly that her husband was the only one who could do it, even after many years. Penelope looked exited and surprised at the same time. She was overfilled with emotions and I think that is the most proving evidence that she recognized Odysseus.

This statement reveals her loyalty to Odysseus and the special bond they share. She is telling the reader that if this is actually her wedded lord that he will know things that no other man will know. When the time comes for Odysseus to rest, Penelope orders Eurykleia to make his bed outside the bedchamber. At this moment Odysseus goes into a rage over the moving of this bed that he carved from an olive tree, saying, No builder had the skill for that, unless a god came down to turn the trick. (319) Odysseus is telling Penelope that no man could move the bed that he built for his bride. With eyes brimming tears she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

(320) At this moment Penelope has realized that this is her dear Odysseus. She has spent these last decades remaining faithful to her husband and he has finally returned. This is an example of her psyche. The suitors pursued her, they overtook her home, and her housemaids discovered her unraveling the shroud. She could have easily given up and married a suitor to end the pain, but she did not and her king finally returned. Penelope is the picture of the faithful, loyal and respectful wife.

The Odyssey is an epic that has much to teach its readers about the feminine psyche. Penelope is one woman in the Odyssey that shows the reader into the mind of females. The feminine psyche is a complex idea that has changed drastically throughout time. During the time of the Odyssey the females were loyal, faithful, and ultimately respectful of their mates. Penelope actions are a prime example of the feminine ideas in Odysseus time. Fate is seen as an important concept throughout the book, and the concept of destiny was laid heavily in the ancient Greek culture.

In The Odyssey, there are some characters that consulted with prophets and knew their fate, but for the most part, people did not know what was going to happen to them. Even though it was believed that their lives were already spun out in front of them, they worked to get where they were supposed to get to.