Literature Comparison of Characters: Odyssey and Penelope

Penelope, as seen in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey and in Carol Ann Duffy’s poem Penelope, is presented as a woman dealing with unruly suitors and her missing husband in a clever manner, proving her intelligence and cunning through which she is shown to be a strong and independent woman. While it is the case that the over arching theme of this is seen in both texts, the use of language and technique creates two fundamentally different characters by each author. Homer, through language, has created a seemingly cunning and witty character while Duffy’s contradicts this with much more pure and peaceful language to represent her. Overall, it is clear to see that the use of language and form is what creates the two similar yet different versions of Penelope.

The general character of Penelope is seen as very smart and cunning in both of the texts, giving her a secure strong female character image. Firstly within the originally written extract by Homer, she is said to have ‘deceived [them] blind’ forming the idea that her character possessed the need to deceive said men (Homer, 2006, p. 96). As she is seen protecting herself through deceit it is wise to argue that she is resolute and dominant in her own position. She will not give herself up easily and so shows her strong will and determination. This idea is supported by Duffy’s version of her character as she ‘played for time’ and ‘wore a widows face’, the use of the verbs ‘played’ and ‘wore’ shows her control of the situation and so supports the previous argument in the idea that Penelope is a strong and independent character (2017, pp. 70-71).

As both of these texts co-agree to this fact, it is undisputed that this was the premise of Penelope’s character. Furthermore, Penelope is also seen manipulating the men into following her orders in both texts, giving her a sense of cunning and mischief, while this is much more saturated in Duffy’s version, there are still actions which portray this. The sole act of sewing and unpicking her work in order to delude her suitors shows the devious side of her character. Penelope has originally been seen to be ‘dangling promises’ and ‘dropping hints’ to her suitors within the original The Odyssey which portrays her as a more dominant figure who has control over men (Homer, 2006, p. 96). She seems to be playing around with them like a hunter toying with its prey. Agreeing with Duffy’s version as, although more subtle, there are actions which suggest cunning. As she unknits her work she states that she ‘tricked it’ (Duffy, 2017, pp. 70-71), while this could be directed at the piece that she was knitting while personifying it, it is much more likely that these words were aimed at her suitors. Agreeing to the idea that Penelope possesses a devious personality trait. While the two versions of Penelope are different to each other, they all hold a foundation of a deceitful character. While the vague ideas of Penelope as a strong and cunning woman are seen in both texts, the general use of language and technique shows two opposite characters. First of all, the use of differing viewpoints is the technique which determines this.

The Odyssey extract looks at the situation from an aggravated suitor’s prospective. Knowing the male’s aims to marry Penelope, it is likely that through his eyes, Penelope would have been seen as an evil, almost witch like character due to his resentful opinion of Penelope. Especially after she had fooled them ‘for three years now, getting on for four’ in his eyes (Homer, 2006, p. 96). After finding out the truth behind her condition even the most devout of suitors would feel betrayed and angry which is why it is understandable as to why he would attempt to paint Penelope in the worst light possible, the angry tone and use of harsh language supports this as ‘she played it fast and loose with our hearts’, the use of the word ‘our’ hints at the idea that it is the suitor speaking, making the surrounding words that much more doubtful as he is speaking in rage and anger (Homer, 2006, p. 96). Homer uses words like ‘played’ and ‘loose’ as a way to portray Penelope as a sly female especially since ‘its not the suitors who deserve the blame’ (Homer, 2006, p. 96).

The use of this point of view hides the reasoning which Penelope would have had to do this action. Hidden behind the rage of the speaker it is easy to forget that Penelope still believes in her husbands return and so shows that she is a caring and faithful wife. As it is usually the case, the immediate viewpoint is often the one that is adopted by the reader, through this, Homer introduces Penelope as this seemingly devious character. The overall use of an angry male voice is what creates the character’s personality for the reader and so is very important when it comes to understanding the character of Penelope. Yet in comparison to Homer’s version, Duffy seems to be attempting to redeem Penelope by showing a more peaceful and devoted character. Due to the fact that the poem Penelope was written as a part of the World’s wife anthology (Duffy, 2017, pp. 70-71), it is fair to assume that Duffy was attempting to redeem the character and show her true personality.

Especially since Duffy is known to be a feminist and the anthology’s aims is to give women of history a voice, it is clear that in her version, Penelope is a much more gentle and caring character. Through the use of language such as ‘I played for time’ it gives Penelope a more innocent and worried personality (Duffy, 2017, pp. 70-71). Through these words she is less of a cunning female and more of one devout to her husband by attempting to stall any possible marriage arrangements. In this version she is not ‘building each man’s hope’ but instead trying to stay isolated from them hence showing a more caring character (Homer, 2006, p. 96). In conclusion, when it comes to the character of Penelope, there are many variants of who she really is as it is unclear through Homer’s original narration through the male viewpoint in which her supposed characteristics are defined by an angry suitor and so not presenting a clear image of the character. While the general idea of her character is seen in both poems, the point of view of the narrator is what creates the final personality of Penelope.