If Romeo and Odysseus are the heroes of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Homer’s The Odyssey respectively, then Juliet and Penelope, the wives of both men, are the heroines. The relationship between Juliet and Penelope holds similarities only insofar as they share similar situations and the effects of them. The true differences in the lives of these woeful women lie within their responses (i.e. their love for their families in addition to their husbands) to the similar occurrences in their lives. In that sense, the similarity of Juliet and Penelope’s situations exacerbate the differences of their responses and the consequences. The differences between Penelope and Juliet paradoxically stem from their similarities. Both women are separated from their husbands – Odysseus and Romeo – through exile. The Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from the city and from his wife (Romeo and Juliet 3.2.197) and Odysseus spends many years striving to return to
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Penelope, because of her “patient heart” (Odyssey 137) – as her dead mother-in-law attests – and faithfulness, was able to meet with her husband once again. Moreover, she reflects that evil characters, like the suitors and Odysseus’ crew have met their just retribution; “one of the immortal gods…killed these proud men…For they respected no man on earth that ever met them, good or bad, and therefore they have been punished for their recklessness” (283). Romeo and Juliet, however, is much less black and white; characters who are innocent (Romeo and Juliet, Lady Montague, Mercutio, Count Paris) and with whom the reader relates die by nothing but unfavorable circumstances. However, Juliet, because of her overall selfishness and rash behavior, coupled with an all-consuming love for Romeo and nothing else (even herself), plants the seeds that lead to her own
Penelope, because of her “patient heart” (Odyssey 137) – as her dead mother-in-law attests – and faithfulness, was able to meet with her husband once again. Moreover, she reflects that evil characters, like the suitors and Odysseus’ crew have met their just retribution; “one of the immortal gods…killed these proud men…For they respected no man on earth that ever met them, good or bad, and therefore they have been punished for their recklessness” (283). Romeo and Juliet, however, is much less black and white; characters who are innocent (Romeo and Juliet, Lady Montague, Mercutio, Count Paris) and with whom the reader relates die by nothing but unfavorable circumstances. However, Juliet, because of her overall selfishness and rash behavior, coupled with an all-consuming love for Romeo and nothing else (even herself), plants the seeds that lead to her own