Penelope's Role In The Odyssey

Throughout the story, Penelope is a prominent character whose role is vital to the outcome of the epic poem. She posses the qualities that others lack; the strength to resist sexual endeavors, the heart to openly give hospitality for weary strangers, and the pride of always doing the right thing. Although she is constantly being chased by suitors, she remains loyal to her husband and uses her wits to hold them off for as long as possible. Even in the most difficult of times, Penelope displays ideal greek values.
Penelope’s will can be viewed even higher than that of “the strong willed” Odysseus. During his voyage, Odysseus encounters Kirke and she tempts him into committing adultery. “I mount no bed of love with you upon it./ Or swear me

first a great oath, /if I do, you’ll work no more enchantment to my harm… /she swore at once. (X.385-389).” Furthermore, Odysseus commits adultery when he is saved by Kalypso. Kalypso is in love with Odysseus and they sleep together every night, although he misses his wife. “Oh you vile gods, in jealousy supernatural!/ You hate it when we choose to lie with men. (V.124-125)” Odysseus can not help his temptations and expects Penelope to be loyal to him, even though he is sleeping with other women. Penelope demonstrates incredible strength to be able to remain loyal to Odysseus throughout his absence from Ithaka.
Penelope's cunning and clever mind gives her the ability to fend off all the suitors who are constantly approaching her.

She drafts clever plans that will allow her to postpone the day she must choose a husband, such as the loom that she works on in the day and unravels in the night, “So every day she wove on the great loom--/But every night by torchlight she unwove it.(II.113-114)” Her wit allowed her to help Odysseus win back his manor when she planned the archery competition, which she had known as his strong suit, “she drew her husband’s great now out, and sobbed/ and bit her lip and let the salt tears flow (XXI.59-60).” Her ability to devise the plan gave Odysseus the stage to regain Ithaka, and he could not have done that without her help. Penelope’s wit was an important factor in not only remaining loyal, but also saving Odysseus’

life.
As a result of the Trojan war, the wives of several great kings were abandoned, alike Penelope.

However, these women do not have the same will power as Penelope has. Agamemnon's wife, Klytaimnestra, kills Agamemnon while he is returning from Ithaka because of her new love for Aigisthos. Now in the underworld, Agamemnon describes to Odysseus what his wife did to him upon his return and what Odysseus should be careful for when he arrives to Ithaka. “Great god, I thought my children and my slaves would at least give me a welcome./But that woman, plotting a thing so low, defiled herself (XI.500-503).” Also, Helen underwent the same problem while bestowing disloyalty upon Menelaos. She fell in love with Paris and abandoned the Akhians, which, in the long term, started the Trojan War. “forsaking all--child, bridal bed, and husband--/a man without defect in form or mind(IV.282-284).” Helen blames her sins on Aphrodite, after all the trouble she had caused. There is a great difference between the virtues of other women and Penelope. She embodies greek ideals that the others lack and holds onto them throughout her

life.
Penelope, being a single mother and taking over the position as a leader, had so much going on that she could’ve easily broken down and given up on Odysseus. However, even though the odds were stacked against her of Odysseus’ return, she persevered through the hardest times and never faltered in her exceptional personality. Her pride, willpower, and wit single handedly maintained control over Ithaka until her husband could return. As other women were giving out under the sexual tension, she stayed strong. In doing so, she portrayed the world her ideal qualities and her undying perseverance.