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    Genesis II Xu

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    hanxx254
    This document analyzes evidence in Book XIX of Homer's Odyssey that suggests Penelope may have recognized Odysseus when he returns in disguise as a beggar. Specifically, Odysseus's harsh speech to Melanthos and Penelope's immediate reaction and questioning of the beggar provide clues. However, Penelope also states she does not believe Odysseus will return, contradicting complete recognition. The document argues the ambiguity is purposeful, allowing Penelope's character and the climax of Odysseus revealing himself to have greater emotional impact. It also helps explain Penelope's calm response when the truth is revealed.

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    Genesis II Xu

    Uploaded by

    hanxx254
    34 views1 page
    This document analyzes evidence in Book XIX of Homer's Odyssey that suggests Penelope may have recognized Odysseus when he returns in disguise as a beggar. Specifically, Odysseus's harsh speech to Melanthos and Penelope's immediate reaction and questioning of the beggar provide clues. However, Penelope also states she does not believe Odysseus will return, contradicting complete recognition. The document argues the ambiguity is purposeful, allowing Penelope's character and the climax of Odysseus revealing himself to have greater emotional impact. It also helps explain Penelope's calm response when the truth is revealed.

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    This document analyzes evidence in Book XIX of Homer's Odyssey that suggests Penelope may have recognized Odysseus when he returns in disguise as a beggar. Specifically, Odysseus's harsh speech to Melanthos and Penelope's immediate reaction and questioning of the beggar provide clues. However, Penelope also states she does not believe Odysseus will return, contradicting complete recognition. The document argues the ambiguity is purposeful, allowing Penelope's character and the climax of Odysseus revealing himself to have greater emotional impact. It also helps explain Penelope's calm response when the truth is revealed.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as rtf, pdf, or txt
    34 views1 page

    Genesis II Xu

    Uploaded by

    hanxx254
    This document analyzes evidence in Book XIX of Homer's Odyssey that suggests Penelope may have recognized Odysseus when he returns in disguise as a beggar. Specifically, Odysseus's harsh speech to Melanthos and Penelope's immediate reaction and questioning of the beggar provide clues. However, Penelope also states she does not believe Odysseus will return, contradicting complete recognition. The document argues the ambiguity is purposeful, allowing Penelope's character and the climax of Odysseus revealing himself to have greater emotional impact. It also helps explain Penelope's calm response when the truth is revealed.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as rtf, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    - Shuang Xu 1 Shuang Xu

    UNI: sx2125
    Genesis XII-XXXVI: The Patriarchal Cycle
    Some have argued that, in Book XIX, Penelope recognizes Odysseus. What evidence
    supports this theory? What evidence contradicts it? How would the Odyssey be different
    if it were absolutely clear one way or the other? (How does Homer use the ambiguity?).
    In line 71 to 88, Odysseus speaks to Melanthos who has verbally insulted him, stating,
    So, woman, you should now beware Beware of your mistress Or Odysseus may come back.
    There is still time for hope there here is Telemachos, his son and in his palace none of the
    women will be sinful and escape (Homer 284). When Odysseus is speaking here, he is disguised
    as an old beggar. Yet, his statement is not only harsh like that of a master, but also clever
    Odysseuss speech includes a triple threat toward Melanthos which states that her mistress, elder
    master, as well as her young master will all disapprove her wrongdoing. Odysseuss speech also
    hints Odysseuss own nostos. If indeed Penelope recognizes Odysseus, her realization may
    begin here. Immediately after this speech, circumspect Penelope heard him. (Homer 284).
    Notice that the epithet for Penelope is circumspect, which emphasizes Penelopes wit and
    insinuates that Penelope may have noticed something about beggar Odysseuss identity. Indeed,
    Penelopes immediate actions are to insult Melantos and converse with Odysseus. In her speech
    with Odysseus, Penelope seems to intentionally highlight her loyalty, delineating her weaving
    story as well as stating, I pay no attention to strangers, nor to supplicants but always I waste
    away at the inward heart, waiting for Odysseus (Homer 285). Penelope also attempts to find out
    the beggar Odysseuss identity, both by inquiry and via testing. Penelope asks about Odysseuss
    clothing, and when she constantly weeps about Odysseus, she perhaps hopes to see the
    beggars reaction, hoping to gain information concerning his identity. Finally, Penelope addresses
    the beggar as a friend. Although guests in the house should be treated with respect, it is quite
    unnecessary for Penelope, who has been cold toward the guest suitors, to be so excessively kind
    to his one particular beggar.
    All the evidence should display that Penelope recognizes Odysseus. Yet Book XIX also
    demonstrates that the recognition is ambiguous and incomplete. When the beggar Odysseus
    informs Penelope of Odysseuss nostos, Penelope responds, here is the way I think in my
    mind, and the way it will happen. Odysseus will never come home again (Homer 290). Why
    would Penelope state that Odysseus will not return if she recognizes the beggar as Odysseus?
    Here, Penelopes response contradicts her predicted response if she indeed recognizes the
    beggar as Odysseus completely.
    Why does Homer include such contrasting ideas? Perhaps there is purpose in the
    ambiguity. If Penelope does not recognize anything special about the beggar, Penelope may
    come across as imprudent, which contrasts with her characterization as the circumspect
    Penelope. Also, in the end when Odysseus finally reveals himself, Penelope may not be able to
    respond so logically and calmly (Penelope even tested Odysseuss loyalty) had she not prepared
    herself in some way beforehand.
    However, if Penelope figures out about Odysseuss identity completely, the climax of
    Odysseuss homecoming may not be so emotional and stressed, and it would not make sense for
    Penelope to sit so tranquilly while Odysseus and Telemachos are with the suitors in the final
    Books. In short, the ambiguity serves to better concur with Penelopes character as well as the
    storyline of the Odyssey.

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