Nevertheless, I want to get home, and can think of nothing else" (Homer, 2000). Thus, Penelope serves as the catalyst for bringing Odysseus home, and shows that beauty is not all a man looks for in a wise and loving mate. A literary critic writes of her, "Penelope is famous in myth as the waiting wife, faithful -- or otherwise. Odysseus' return will end that phase of her existence and her fame rivaling that of famous women of the past" (Ahl & Roisman, 1996, p. 31). However, that does not stop her from longing for Odysseus' return and their reuniting. She is a good, decent woman, who raises a good son alone, makes a living, and never gives up hope. In that, she is an engaging heroine and a fine match for Odysseus, who deserves a woman who respects and trusts him, as well as loves and cherishes him.
Penelope is also exceedingly clever. To keep the suitors at bay, she looms a death shroud, but never completes it. Antinous tells Telemachus "This was what she said, and we assented; whereon we could see her working on her great web all day long, but at night she would unpick...
Thus, she can remain true to Odysseus when she cannot choose a suitor and face the thought of remarrying. It may not be fair to the suitors, but it keeps her occupied and keeps the suitors from forcing their hand. As long as the shroud remains incomplete, she will not marry, so she buys herself time and gives Odysseus the time he needs to return home.
In conclusion, Penelope is an interesting character with many purposes in the play. She is complex and absolutely necessary to the play's conclusion. Her only desire is to see her husband again, and she serves as the impetus for Odysseus to continue his journey home. She is a good wife and mother, and she is faithful and trusting in her husband's abilities, as any good wife should be.
References
Ahl, F., & Roisman, H.M. (1996). The Odyssey re-formed. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
Homer. (2000). The Odyssey. Retrieved from the University of Oregon Website: http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~joelja/odyssey.html6 Oct. 2006.
