PENELOPE ANCIENT GREEK HERO

Her heroic endeavors can be lumped together through the pain she endures while Odysseus is away, the temptations she overcomes, and her witticism in dealing with those who would cause her harm. (Character Description Of Penelope From The Book "The Odyssey) As such, this essay will explore the extent to which Penelope embodies the warrior-like character traits of her husband and how she portrays the virtuous character of an ideal woman. Penelope exhibited traits of a hero and an ideal woman by her extraordinary strength and uniqueness. The ideal Greek society states that an ideal woman to exhibit bizarre strength and are set above every other woman. She was a morally upright woman, faithful and committed to her marriage, attributes that placed her above ordinary women.

Penelope, just like her husband, had the strength to endure all the pain and suffering she underwent. She even puts on a veil on her face when she comes from her room, a sign that she didn’t want to face the reality, to admit that her husband may never come back. (Character Description Of Penelope From The Book "The Odyssey) Just like her husband who is uncertain if he will return home from war but remain strong in the battle field, Penelope was uncertain of her husband’s return but she remained strong. Penelope laments … “but cease this sad tale, for it breaks my sorrowful heart, and reminds me of my lost husband whom I mourn ever without ceasing, and whose name was great over all Hellas and middle Argos” (Whitman et al, p.

38, ll 24 – 28). It is imperative to note that Artemis and Aphrodite were goddesses and were extremely beautiful. It is such goddess like beauty that drew many suitors upon Penelope’s path, causing her a lot of pain, suffering and the pressure to remarry. (Character Description of Penelope from the Book "The Odyssey )This character is also exhibited by her husband. It is his gods-like trait of a warrior that saw him into the battlefield. he is separated from his family for many years fighting a war that ordinary men would not fight, causing him pain, hopelessness of ever going back home and pressure. This means the battles an individual face, such as the personal will to keep fighting for the things they believe in, in this case, love by Penelope and Odysseus.

On the other hand, an external win can be associated with a triumph over physical enemies such as Calypso for Odysseus and the suitors for Penelope. Moreover, Odysseus, as is the case with other ancient Greek warriors, together showcased their cunning character rather than using physical prowess. Penelope says, “They want me to marry once again at once, and I have to invent stratagems in order to deceive them… I used to keep working at my great web all day long, but at night I would unpick the stitches again by torch light. I fooled them in this way for three years without their finding it out. She deliberately gave testimony about the sign of the bed that only her husband knew.

The bed signified their bond because only Odysseus could describe it in details. The interpretation is that upon the arrival of Odysseus and his revelation of his identity, Penelope was happy but cautious. ("The Faithful Wife: Penelope as A Hero") She, therefore, embarked on testing him. The reunion scene is the union of two wisdoms, something so touching and sacred. It ought to be noted that commitment to a cause, no matter its design, is one of the biggest accomplishments that individuals can make. For example, Odysseus was committed to winning the Trojan War, and Penelope was committed to seeing her husband again at whatever cost necessary. It is not a secret that men wanted to possess or claim Penelope as a trophy given that she was the queen of Ithaca and the wife of hero Odysseus.