Many great artists use greek mythology in their works. It is usually used to tell a story or convey a message about morals. The story of Penelope and Odysseus can be an example of a story where two heroes have to persevere through any complications that they may encounter. Odysseus sets sail to fight in the Trojan War, leaving his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. Odysseus and his men obtain victory and are on their way back, when they somehow upset Poseidon, who makes their journey home miserable. In order to get home Odysseus has to battle through many obstacles. While Odysseus struggles to arrive back to Ithaca, Penelope is at home being urged by the city to marry one of the many suitors. She still has hope that Odysseus will return, …show more content…
which drives her to use her cleverness and insist that she has to finish Laertes’, Odysseus’ father, burial shroud before she will marry one of the suitors. Penelope delays this process by undoing all her work done throughout the day, at night. Dorothy Parker and John William Waterhouse are two of many great artists that use the tale of Odysseus and Penelope to demonstrate a deeper meaning. In the painting Penelope and The Suitors, John William Waterhouse uses Penelope’s desolation to show that hope is what keeps people emotionally together when going through difficult times, while in her poem, “Penelope”, Dorothy Parker uses the same scene to show that loneliness can bring about desperate decisions when people are sentimental. “Penelope” by Dorothy Parker demonstrates that loneliness can bring about desperate decisions when people are sentimental.
This poem is based on Penelope and Odysseus from the famous epic poem, The Odyssey. In this poem, Dorothy Parker describes Penelope’s perception of her and Odysseus’ situations. Penelope imagines Odysseus effortlessly battling through his obstacles and sailing through the beautiful, sunny skies, while she demonstrates herself to be confined. She describes her longing for Odysseus and loneliness in her husband’s absence. The first half of the poem has a positive connotation as Parker uses phrases such as, “silver seas” and “glittering wave” to describe Odysseus’ journey. While in the second half of the poem, Dorothy Parker uses a negative connotation by using phrases such as, “sit at home and rock” and “bleach the linen of my bed” to demonstrate Penelope’s situation. This shows how Odysseus is experiencing a glorious adventure, whereas Penelope spends her time being lonely and living a monotonous life. In the last line Dorothy mentions how everyone will feel when Odysseus returns, as the poem states, “They will call him brave.” Here, she only mentions the reaction to how the city will react to Odysseus’ return, but she does not mention anything about their thoughts on Penelope. This concludes that Penelope’s acts and sacrifices on behalf of Odysseus will be truly forgotten. Dorothy Parker is trying to show the readers how a man’s actions will be forever remembered as the woman’s will be forgotten. By titling the poem “Penelope”, she tries to balance the importance of both of these characters to show equality of a male and
female. Dorothy Parker was known for her cleverness and for possessing wit in her literature and speech (Meade npag). She was a Jewish poet and short story writer, born on August 22, 1893, in West End, New Jersey. Parker was the youngest out of her three other siblings. Eliza Annie Rothschild, Dorothy’s mother, passed away when Dorothy was only four years old. Soon after, her father, Jacob Henry Rothschild, married Eleanor Francis Lewis, a strict Protestant women, whom she intensely disliked, calling her the “housekeeper” (Stevenson npag). Dorothy went to a private school, which kept her challenge through the years. After she graduated, she hoped to make a career in writing; however, she first had to manage her financial situation by playing piano for a dance studio. Parker had produced many works, such as “Why I Haven’t Married”, in which she called the men she dated idiots, and blamed them for being the reason that she was still unwed (Meade npag). Soon after, both her father and brother passed away, which gave Dorothy motivation to keep writing. After many tries, her poem, “Any Porch”, was purchased by “Vanity Fair”, making her their caption writer. Dorothy married Edwin Pond Parker II who was a Connecticut Stockbroker; however, they had to split as the Edwin had to fight in World War I. He safely returned but was emotionally scarred, which caused a rift between the couple and ended in a divorce (Stevenson npag). Dorothy was the founder of the Algonquin Round Table at the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan. This was a group of American men and women who met every weekdays at lunch (Dorothy Rothschild” npag). She was inspired to begin a freelance company with a good friend after she was fired from “Vanity Fair”, which ended in failure. Parker also worked on writing books and her first one was “Enough Rope”, which became the bestseller when it came out in 1926 (Stevenson npag). Dorothy became a book reviewer of the New Yorker in 1927. Later, Dorothy Parker received an O. Henry Award for her short story, “Big Blonde”, which was recognized as the best short story of the year in 1929. Dorothy married her second husband, Alan Campbell, in 1933. They went to Hollywood to become collaborative film writers. Dorothy and Alan successfully received credits for over 15 films and were nominated for an Academy Award. After Alan Campbell died in 1963, Dorothy returned to New York City. Dorothy Parker’s writing career comes to an end on June 7, 1967 when she dies at age seventy three (“Dorothy Rothschild” npag). Through her writing career she had encountered many famous writers such as Robert Benchley, James Thurber, and Ring Lardner (Stevenson npag). The painting Penelope and the Suitors, John William Waterhouse illustrates that hope is what keeps people emotionally together when going through difficult times. This painting is also based on The Odyssey, similar to the poem. The painting displays Penelope weaving while being surrounded maids and suitors that are trying to please her. In Odysseus’ absence, Penelope is urged by the the city to get married to one of the suitor. She insisted that she had to finish weaving Odysseus’ father’s burial shroud before she would marry one of them. While Penelope weaved the shroud everyday in the daytime, she would unravel her work at night to delay the marriage. Penelope still has hope that Odysseus will return, and this is what is keeping her from getting remarried. John William Waterhouse was an English painter that was known for working in the Pre-Raphaelite style (“John William Waterhouse” npag). His paintings were extensive and he was known to make is painting more modern as compared to other painters. Waterhouse was baptised on April 6, 1849, although his date of birth is unknown, he was said to be born in Rome (“Art Renewal Center Museum Artist Information for John William Waterhouse” npag). John’s parents, Isabella and William Waterhouse were also painters. Waterhouse had first started his art career by helping his father at a studio. Some of his early works of art such as his sketches can be found at the British Museum and National Gallery (“John William Waterhouse” npag). Then he enrolled in the Royal Academy of Art in 1870, where he created many of his early works and exhibited, which were mainly focused on Greek mythology and daily life of Greece. In the art academy, he focused on sculpting and later moved on to painting (“John William Waterhouse Biography” npag). In 1833, he married Esther Kenworthy, a art schoolmaster’s daughter, from Ealing. Esther was also an artist who has one of her paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy. They had two children, but died in early childhood (“John William Waterhouse” npag). John and Esther lived in Primrose Hill, which was a artistic colony with studios (“Art Renewal Center Museum Artist Information for John William Waterhouse” npag). Many of John William Waterhouse’s paintings were about women who died in relation to water, like his famous paintings The Lady of Shalott and Ophelia. Ophelia was on a woman leaning over a lake before she died. The Lady of Shalott was based on the study of Elaine of Astolat, whom had died when finding out that she was not loved by Lancelot. Because of all his successes, John’s paintings started becoming larger after becoming succesful. He primarily used oil paints to construct his paintings. John William Waterhouse was also a teacher at the St. John’s Wood Art School and part of their art club (“John William Waterhouse” npag). He always had an unusual way of painting as he did not paint like a great artist; instead, he used a scholar or gentleman approach (“Art Renewal Center Museum Artist Information for John William Waterhouse” npag). Waterhouse was a diligent artist who carried his passion to his own death. He died of cancer on February 10, 1917 in London. Throughout his career he painted a total of 118 paintings (“John William Waterhouse” npag). The myth of Penelope and Odysseus in used in “Penelope” by Dorothy Parker and in Penelope and the Suitors by John William Waterhouse. Both of these works show how Penelope and Odysseus’ perseverance motivate them to keep hope and find a solution to overcome the obstacles that they had to face. The painting demonstrates the problems that Penelope has to face in the absence of Odysseus while the poem compares Penelope’s situation to Odysseus’ situation in Penelope’s perspective. Penelope feels that her sacrifices will be overlooked in the arrival of Odysseus as she feels her husband fluently sailing without obstacles, whereas he is actually going through great dangers. Her loneliness urges her to jump to conclusions when her hope keeps her anticipating Odysseus’ safe journey home. Without perseverance a person could not have hope left when battling through their emotions while in isolation. The internal and external conflicts of Penelope can be analyzed through the poem, “Penelope” by Dorothy Parker, and the painting, Penelope and the Suitors by John William Waterhouse. Through these works of arts, Dorothy Parker and John William Waterhouse compare the themes of loneliness and hope by using well known mythological works of Greece. The themes of these stories demonstrate how Penelope’s perseverance helped her during lonely times when she saw a very small chance of success. Artists use different kinds of art forms to reveal the connections to the matters of the past and present. Many forms of art including paintings and literature conceal hidden messages that reveal deeper meanings about everyday matters.
Throughout history the themes of literature has stayed relatively the same; the situations have been updated to appeal to a modern audience. One common trait in great movies and literature is the presence of a heroic figure. Odysseus can be classified as a hero, because he departed from his home Ithaca the day his son Telemachus was born and leaving his wife Penelope to fight in the Trogon war. Odysseus starts out his journey with six hundred crewmen and twelve ships.
There was kind of ambiguity when the Odyssey and Penelope started to talk to each other’s after the maid had wash his feet. When Penelope described her dream as she said about the eagle who came and killed all the suiters whom she would not like to marry with and talked to her with a human voice, telling her that he is her husband. I also found Odysseus responds tricky a little bit, because sometimes he is about to say that he is Odysseus and sometimes his responds are just like a new story to Penelope. The poor Penelope did not recognize her beloved husband Odysseus, because she is certain that he died many years ago. However, she held her hope like a woman holding a candle in the middle of the dark. She could not forget her husband and it
Penelope is the most important female character in the epic because Odysseus ' homecoming is centered on reconnecting with her. Ten years has past and Odysseus has still not returned from the war and is seemingly dead. Many suitors desire to replace him, by taking Penelope 's hand in marriage and Odysseus ' property. While unsure of Penelope 's attitude towards these suitors, readers are constantly reminded of her faithfulness to Odysseus. Although Odysseus does not know whether Penelope remains faithful to him, he still yearns to come home. “The expectations and limitations of the male and female roles in the Odyssey are accepted and never questioned”. (Whittaker 40) Society expects women in Penelope’s position to remain devoted to their significant other even after all these years and not knowing whether or not he is alive but are more forgiving to men who commit adultery like Odysseus. This situation once again brings up the question of a double standard modeled in The
In the ending chapters of The Odyssey Homer bring about many interesting points in which would bring us to believe that in fact Penelope had helped to slay the suitors. Penelope did not physically help to slay the suitors when Odysseus had been in the room killing them. It was Penelope’s actions leading up to this scene that may have helped Odysseus in his successful killing spree of the suitors. For the case of the argument we will discuss points in which it is believed that she had recognized him disguised as the old man, which gave her the ability to help Odysseus. On the other hand, the argument that she may have not recognized Odysseus would contribute us into believing that she did not help Odysseus to slay the suitors but that things
The story of Odysseus brings many themes from never giving up or being brave no matter what danger may come, but it seems as though the story is mostly focused on Odysseus’ journey. Obviously, the story is called the Odyssey, but the story could’ve focused more on what Penelope was feeling while Odysseus was gone, and the themes attached to her. In the painting, “Penelope,” John Roddam Spencer Stanhope uses neutral and gloomy colors and moods to show that holding onto hope is important, even if it feel as if there is nothing left to hope for, while in the poem “An Ancient Gesture,” Edna St. Vincent Millay uses bitterness with the same scenes to show that you should not mourn when there is nothing to be sad about.
The Character Odysseus in Odyssey "Odyssey" is an epic story that has been a significant piece of literature since it was first composed and will remain so for ages to come. One of the reasons it has been so is because of the hero, Odysseus. Odysseus was one of the first Greek mythic heroes renowned for his brain as well as his muscles. Indeed he is a man with an inquiring mind, and he is also a man with outstanding prowess and bravery" (123helpme.com/assets/3603.html). "We also must not forget that he is a top-notch athlete which only adds more to this seemingly insuperable character.
In Homer’s account, Odysseus is coming home to Ithaca from the Trojan War but along the way he faces many challenges and obstacles from the sea and land. Odysseus and his crews were held captive in a Cyclops cave, angered Poseidon, the god of the sea, trapped in island of sorceress Circe and had a few bad lucks and ended up seven more years as prisoners on Kalypso’s island. Penelope, on the other hand, is a faithful wife who waits for Odysseus to return home for 20 years despite having her house invaded by more than 100 suitors with one she has to marry. However on Ovid’s account, Penelope does not appear to be the heroine of epic but instead as the mournful lover. Both Homer and Ovid’s accounts have similarities on how Odysseus and Penelope are alike in their way of defending themselves against the enemy and that they refused to give up and their determination kept them focused on achieving their goal.
Women are important in life and act in many different ways, this poem portray them in the many roles they play in life. The portrayal is a generalization on all that women are capable of being and doing. Faithfulness is the quality in Odysseus that is his motivation to return to his wife who is in different ways even more faithful. Penelope represents the "best of women" in the poem. Penelope along with other characters like Nausicaa and Arete that fall under this category represents ideals for marriage. Penelope's role in the poem is the reward and prize to Odysseus' suffering but it is her virtue, which make the sufferings worthwhile. The one important role of Penelope that makes her a desirable wife aside from her beauty and faithfulness is that she anchors the kingship of Ithaka. The suitors saw that the one who married Pene...
Often times in life we search for a companion, someone to share our love and life with. Odysseus and Penelope's lasting relationship is an obvious representation of love in the Odyssey. Although Odysseus is gone for twenty years he never forgets his faithful wife in Ithaca. This love helps him persevere through the many hardships that he encounters on his journey home. Penelope also exemplifies this same kind of love for Odysseus. At home in Ithaca, she stays loyal to Odysseus by unraveling his shroud and delaying her marriage to the suitors that are courting her. She always keeps the hope that her love, Odysseus, will return. Odysseus and Penelope's marriage clearly illustrates the theme of love.
Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus exemplified the key traits needed to be an epic hero. The poem depicts Odysseus as an extremely strong man; at one point, he even defeats the towering cyclops Polyphemus. His ingenuity in creating the trojan horse unearths his slightly latent intelligence. Along with strength and cunning, Odysseus a strong sense of selflessness. He bared a trepid ten year journey and longed for his child and wife. Unfortunately, all of Odysseus’s traits are tarnished by his infidelity, ruthless behavior, and the massacre of men. Though he was, without a doubt, heroic, his lovely wife is the true, unsung heroine of the Odyssey.
One important characteristic that Penelope and Odysseus share is their loyalty to each other. Odysseus failed to return home seven years after the Trojan war. Because he is assumed dead, 108 wealthy noblemen and princes invade his palace and refuse to leave until Penelope has married one of them. By marrying her, the suitors hope to gain control over Odysseus’s wealth and power. However, Penelope remains faithful to Odysseus. But, as a woman, she is powerless to remove the suitors from the palace. And without a man in the household, she is subject to her father’s decisions. However, despite his wish for her to remarry, Penelope clings to the hope of Odysseus’s return and remains faithful to him. She waits and gathers information by asking strangers who arrive in Ithaca about Odysseus. She goes through the stories of their encounter point by point, and asks about every detail while tears stream down her eyes. Although the suitors promise her a secure future, Penelope continues to wait for Odysseus. Without Odysseus, she does not believe that she will ever be happy again.
The character of Penelope in Homer's Odyssey reflects the faithful wife who waits twenty years for the arrival of her husband. Only a strong woman could sustain the stress, anxiety and confusion resulting from the chaos of a palace with a missing king whose fate is unknown. Her responsibilities and commitments toward the man she loves are particularly difficult to keep, under the strain of the situation. Although she does not actively pursue an effort to find him, her participation in the success of Odysseus' homecoming can be seen in her efforts to defend and protect the heritage, reputation and the House of Odysseus in his absence. As Odysseus withstands his trial, Penelope withstands her trials against temptations to give in to the many anxious suitors, to give up on her faith and respect for her religion, her husband and even her self. Penelope's strength in keeping the highest standards in her function as a wife, woman and mother contributes to the success of Odysseus' homecoming by keeping the home and family for him to come back to.
Marriages consists of two lovers who never forget each other no matter how long it's been and no matter how much they’ve changed. They know things about each other that no one else does, sometimes they even have secret signs that only the other will recognize. This is the same case for Penelope and Odysseus in Homer’s The Odyssey; even though they have been apart for almost 20 years, and Odysseus is in disguise, Penelope still recognizes him. In their conversation, Odysseus drops clues that only Penelope would recognize and says things to make her suspicious causing her to realize that Odysseus finally came back.
Odysseus is one of the very many prominent characters in Homer’s Epic poems, The Illiad, and The Odyssey. Odysseus has been famed one of the more relatable characters from Homer’s writing, as well as one of the Greatest Greek Mythology Heroes. Homer’s Epic poems highlight many periods of shame and honor for Odysseus. The character analysis of Odysseus through the poem’s timeline shows vast developments and heroic features appear to take form in him. The Illiad portrayed Odysseus as more of a secondary figure behind Agamemnon and Achilles. In contrast, The Odyssey portrayed Odysseus as a hero in the form of an average human.
Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, can be compared in a various ways to the other characters in Homer’s poem The Odyssey. In many ways, Penelope symbolizes the ideal woman, in that she follows to the values and ideals of her society. These ideals include faithfulness, devotion, and determination; pride your home and family, and warmth to strangers. Their dedication to each other, their power to stay together through times of happiness and times of sad, and their will to survive the test of time.