Divine Intervention In The Odyssey Essay

In this passage, from book 19 of The Odyssey, Penelope talks to Odysseus, who is currently disguised as a beggar. She tells him of her woes, and her clever deception of the suitors for 3 years. However, despite this she must now choose a man to marry, at the urging of her parents, and her own desire to provide a house to Telemachus. This passage connects to several themes within classical heroism. First it introduces the concept of divine intervention and aid as Penelope states “ a divinity breathed it in my mind to set up a great loom in my palace and weave a web”. Divine intervention is a common theme with heroism, especially with The Odyssey, as both his troubles and his return home are facilitated by the actions of the Gods. And receiving divine aid is reserved for heros, and is part of the criteria to be a hero. By receiving this divine idea, the audience is aware that Penelope is beloved by the Gods, and is a prime example of a feminine hero. …show more content…
Although, she is clearly not the traditional masculine hero, in this passage she demonstrates the traits of a feminine hero. Penelope follows the rules of what makes a good Greek woman to extreme levels, and that is what makes her a feminine hero. She uses a clever, but non-violent and rather harmless, deception using the womanly arts. She is fulfilling her duty as wife of Odysseus by stating she has to create a burial shroud for his father. This deception shows her loyalty and fidelity to Odysseus, and sets Penelope up to be his heroic