Odysseus And Penelope Analysis

In the Homeric poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus and Penelope are exemplifications of the ideal Greek man and women. Their similarities and differences, however, further prove the definitive divisions in what is expected of men and women in ancient Greece.
Odysseus is a true Homeric hero and embodies all the characteristics that make him so. He is a leader, possesses strength, nobility and courage, and is on a quest for glory. He is an excellent orator and is good at persuading his audiences. Odysseus is mentally and physically strong, working harder than most. He is meant to illustrate the ideal attributes of all Greek men. Penelope, contrastingly, is meant to represent the weaker aspects of greek society: the women. She allows her emotions to taint her reactions to different situations. This can be seen when Odysseus, Telemachus, and Athena often selectively leave her out of matters that would upset her. She is an emotional woman, often spending nights weeping over the her husband. She cares fully and loves deeply and while these qualities are often good, it prevents her from being fully rational. The women of ancient Greece, such as Penelope, are …show more content…
They share a similar heroism which differs by societal expectations for each respective gender. Penelope is a leader in her faithfulness and personal strength as she waits for Odysseus to return home. She is expected to be weak and helpless but proves to be cunning. She carries the kingdom, refusing to give up her deep set beliefs. Odysseus exemplifies a true homeric hero in his courage, wilyness, and physical strength as he faces extreme obstacles on his journey home. Odysseus and Penelope have many similarities and differences, but combined as a couple, they illustrate the best and worst aspects of ancient Greek society as an ideal man and an ideal women. Each gender has its own strengths and weaknesses, but flourishes the most when they are put