In book XXI of the Odyssey, lines 349-386, Penelope and Eurymakhos are having an argument about letting Odysseus participate in the test of the bow. This conversation happened after the suitors failed at the bow test. Odysseus has now revealed himself to Eumaios, and requests to try to shoot the bow. This passage is very significant because it characterizes Penelope as clever and wise, and characterizes the suitors as barbaric, weak, and rude.
The first reason that this passage is very significant is that it does a very good job of characterizing Penelope. This passage paints her as a very wise and clever woman. From the way Eurymakhos talks to Penelope it is clear that he has respect for her. Eurymakhos refers to her as a “subtle queen” which …show more content…
The suitors have all failed at the bow test, and are now embarrassed because they are inferior compared to Odysseus. Eurymakhos even admits the suitors and him are embarrassed because they have heard people gossiping about them, saying, “How far inferior to the great husband her suitors are! Can’t even budge his bow!” They are too weak to use the bow. They are also characterized as barbaric and rude by Penelope when she is talking about how they took over her house and abused her hospitality. She says, “Men who abused a prince’s house for years, consumed his wine and cattle. Shame enough.” This quote speaks about how they should be ashamed of how unsophisticated and savage they act. This passage is very significant to The Odyssey because it gives readers more in depth views of Penelope and the suitors. Homer wants to portray Penelope as clever and wise, and the suitors as barbaric and rude. In The Odyssey the way the reader sees the characters is very important. To fully understand the poem, the reader needs to know who the characters truly are. It is important to know a lot of the traits of the characters to fully be engaged when reading The Odyssey. Homer uses this specific passage to make sure the reader sees Penelope and the suitors the way he wants in the poem The
The first reason that this passage is very significant is that it does a very good job of characterizing Penelope. This passage paints her as a very wise and clever woman. From the way Eurymakhos talks to Penelope it is clear that he has respect for her. Eurymakhos refers to her as a “subtle queen” which …show more content…
The suitors have all failed at the bow test, and are now embarrassed because they are inferior compared to Odysseus. Eurymakhos even admits the suitors and him are embarrassed because they have heard people gossiping about them, saying, “How far inferior to the great husband her suitors are! Can’t even budge his bow!” They are too weak to use the bow. They are also characterized as barbaric and rude by Penelope when she is talking about how they took over her house and abused her hospitality. She says, “Men who abused a prince’s house for years, consumed his wine and cattle. Shame enough.” This quote speaks about how they should be ashamed of how unsophisticated and savage they act. This passage is very significant to The Odyssey because it gives readers more in depth views of Penelope and the suitors. Homer wants to portray Penelope as clever and wise, and the suitors as barbaric and rude. In The Odyssey the way the reader sees the characters is very important. To fully understand the poem, the reader needs to know who the characters truly are. It is important to know a lot of the traits of the characters to fully be engaged when reading The Odyssey. Homer uses this specific passage to make sure the reader sees Penelope and the suitors the way he wants in the poem The