The Odyssey Have you ever found it hard to prove someone is your equal? The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, proves she is her husband’s equal. So by being both very intelligent and loving she accomplishes this task. Penelope and Odysseus are both highly intelligent but in two different ways. Odysseus show his intelligence when he is stuck on Polyphemus’ island. “Cyclops, you ask my honorable name? Remember the gift you promised me, and i shall tell you.
My name is Nohbody: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbody. ” By telling Polyphemus that his name is Nohbody, Odysseus shows that he doesn’t want his real name to be known so he can escape the island with his men and continue his journey home to Ithaca. In book 21 Penelope shows her intelligence by coming up with a test for the suitors in her house, to see which will get her hand in marriage. “… We now declare a contest for that prize. Here is my lord Odysseus’ hunting bow.
Bend and string it if you can. Who sends an arrow through iron axe-helve sockets, twelve in line? I join my life with his… ” Knowing that only Odysseus can bend and string the hunting bow, Penelope uses this as an excuse to get out of marrying any of the suitors and to by more time for her dear Odysseus to come home. Odysseus and Penelope are loving in almost the same way. Penelope again using her intelligent ways comes up with a test of Odysseus, to see if the old beggar is really him. Do not rage at me, Odysseus!
No one ever matched your caution! Think what difficulty the gods gave: they denied us life together in our prime and fowering years, kept us from crossing into age together. Forgive me don’t be angry. I could not welcome you with love on sight! I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men…” Penelope shows her love to Odysseus by explaining to him what she has done and why she has done it.
Odysseus however, shows his love in a different manner. Now from his breast into his eyes the ache of longing mounted, and he wept at last, his dear wife, clear and faithful, in his arms longed for…” Odysseus’ reaction to his wife shows he loves her and that he is grateful to be home at last. In conclusion, Penelope and Odysseus both prove to be each other’s equal. Both show they are intelligent and loving among many other traits in different ways, but still show they belong together. Have you discovered who your equal is?
