The Reunion - Odysseus & Penelope

[Gina P.]

The reaction of Penelope's uncertainity of news of Odysseus' return
seems just because of the loniness she has endured for years while
staying true and faithful to her husband. The actions of Odysseus who
sits back and observes his wife and choses not to try and persuade her
of his identity that puzzles me. It seems he would be grateful and
joyful of her loyatity when the wives of some of his fellow warriors
were not so lucky, such as Agamemon.

It is not until she refers to the bed as being moved that he becomes
enraged and wants justification that any such act could have
possiblely been considered by her that any real emotion is
displayed. Is it the two once close lovers really need to judge
whether the other stills holds the feelings of love for one another
before they can let their gard down?

[Jeffery L]

One thing I did not understand here is that Penelope knew that the
only person who could string the bow is Odysseus. If he strings the
bow, why did she not believe that it was him? Why did Odysseus have
to further prove himself? It was declared by Zeus, and to the ancient
Greeks the will of the gods is undeniable.

[Sharon]

I think Penelope did not believe that he could return, because she had
probably dreamed it so many time that she couldn't see it really
happening and because a part of her did think that he was dead. She
just told herself he was alive so that she would be stuck with one of
the horribly arrogant young suitors.

On Jun 11, 2:15 pm, "Gina P." <gimas...@cox.net> wrote:

[Mina]

I believe that what she did was justifiable. Because anyone could have
came in her home in pretended to be Odysseus. It's also true that she
should have known from the beginning but you cannot automatically jump
to conclusion after twenty years. You have to be sure before you start
something that you cannot finish. So I agree with the way Penelope
handled the situation and I believe that Odyssey should understand.
Now if the timing was not so far a distant then I do not think that it
would be right. However, since some years had passed I do believe that
she should have tested him to make sure he was not imitating Odysseus.

[Tammy]

Also, after the timeframe of 20 years had pass, how would you feel?
Would you have believed that he could return home? I think it might
have been self preservation on Penelopes part. She might have been
terrified to "feel" again what had actually been bottled up in side
for the past 20 years. She wanted proof of who he says he was. And
righteously so.

> > before they can let their gard down?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Mina]

If I can remember correctly Penelope was asleep when Odysseus string
the bow.

[Andrew B]

Odysseus had been gone almost twenty years. Is Penelope supposed to
see him and then immediately respond, "Oh, great, you're back". I
think they have to test each other to reassure themselves, remind
themselves who it is they have been missing.

On Jun 11, 2:24 pm, Sharon <sglov...@student.maconstate.edu> wrote: