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Penelope's Loyalty In The Odyssey

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In the book of The Odyssey Odysseus remained loyal to the idea of being back home with Penelope which differs from Penelope remaining loyal to their marriage. The Odyssey follows Odysseus' heroic journey back home to his people and wife. Odysseus faces lots of distractions along the way one being held back a year at Circe's island. You might be thinking, “But how dare he stay day and night with a woman when his wife has been nothing but loyal!”, and yes do believe I said the same. In book 10 lines 186-192, Odysseus said, “They made me feel a pang, and I agreed…to Circe's flawless bed and took the goddess knees in supplication..Help me sail for home”, bringing us back to the idea on the fidelity concerned with Odysseus. When his crew reminded him of their original plan he didn't hold off any longer, it was his job to remain loyal to his comrades. …show more content…

If Penelope were to be the one to sleep with a suitor I assure you she’d be killed among the other maids like in book 22. But of course, that wasn't the case and in book 23 lines 417-422, Penelope tells Odysseus, “Think what difficulty the gods gave: they denied us life together in our prime and flowering years, kept us from crossing into age together. Forgive me, don't be angry. I could not welcome you with love on sight”. Penelopes questioning if Odysseus was actually who he claimed he was, was the epitome of her character. But then her asking to be forgiven for even daring to question her husband appalls the reader. Oh for heaven's sake, the idea of his marriage and faithfulness never crossed Odysseus's mind while Penelope on the other hand was begging to be forgiven. Just how dare she question her husband I mean they're married and marriage is held together by trust and fidelity. Ironic isn't it? To please both sides I say Odysseus isn't loyal to Penelope, but rather loyal to the idea of being with

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