Wednesday, May 18, 2011
She Love Me, She Loves Me Not . . .
In Book 19, Penelope shares an intimate moment with her guest, Odysseus disguised as a beggar. From the things they discuss is there any hint that Penelope suspects the beggar is her long lost husband? Does Odysseus think she may suspect him? Why doesn't he openly reveal his identity? Does he still doubt her fidelity, her loyalty or her love?
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I believe that Penelope has no idea that the beggar is really her long-lost husband. First, Penelope talks to the beggar greatly about the amount of pain she has felt during Odysseus’ 20 year absence. Further, she talks about her love which has not faded in the 20 years for him. These two concepts are things that seem too emotional to tell Odysseus, but needed to be told to someone. Penelope told the beggar because he claimed he was with Odysseus, so the beggar would understand what she was talking about more than others. Furthermore, testing the beggar’s story about having Odysseus staying with him seems to show that she is falling for all the lies that he is telling her. Since he is from far away, this fact also makes it more convincing to her.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the reason why Odysseus does not tell her his identity is very complex. Penelope tells the beggar many emotional stories to the beggar, which would make me believe that she still loves Odysseus, and they trust eachother. However, Odysseus is too paranoid and must make sure there is no doubt in his mind to not trust Penelope for any reason. He has to keep his secret for a little while longer so that his identity does not get out and does not get himself killed by the suitors. Secondly, Odysseus needs Penelope to still consider the suitors as marriage options, which would not happen if she knew the beggar was Odysseus. Odysseus needs Penelope to hold the contest, where all the suitors are trapped and together, so there is no chance of any of the disloyal suitors to escape. Although Odysseus cannot tell Penelope for security reason and so Penelope can hold a contest for the suitors, I feel like he feels badly that he cannot tell her the truth. This may be his hardest task, to conceal his identity the one he loves most after 20 years apart. The reunion between Odysseus and Penelope is a very emotional one, but had to of been put off until the right time to assure Odysseus’ and his family’s security.
In my opinion, I think that this event in the epic was most intriguing: Odysseus and Penelope are reunited and engaged in conversation for the first time in 20 years and Odysseus is feigning his whole identity. I don’t believe that either one of them suspected each other of realizing the fake identity, although there was most definitely an indistinguishable bond that unusually and emotionally brought them together. I agree with Henry with the fact that Penelope pouring out her inner and endearing emotions about Odysseus and how she misses him to a great extent proves that she still doesn’t know that she’s actually speaking to Odysseus. However, I feel that Penelope wouldn’t share her various sentiments with any ordinary hobo, but the strong connection that she felt with “the beggar” and the fact that she feels that “the beggar” reminds her so much of Odysseus causes her to do so. “Many wayward guest has landed here but never, I swear, has one struck my eyes—your build, your voice, your feet – you’re like Odysseus . . . to the life!” (19.402.29-33). Even though it may seem that Penelope is on to Odysseus disguise, the fact that she pours her heart out about Odysseus and questions the beggar of his experience with Odysseus proves that she is still very naïve about the situation.
ReplyDeleteAs much as Odysseus wanted to reveal his identity to Penelope, and as much as her weeping pained him, the only reason he didn’t do so was so he could follow through with his plan to mutilate the suitors. He is forced to stay within his identity because if the suitors heard or of him or his business before hand, they would have the chance to flee. He only exposed his identity to his two loyal friends that he trusted to help him with the plan and keep his presence a secret. Odysseus was substantially upset with the suitors trying Penelope, but another ambiguity is the fact that Penelope herself has remained faithful. Ooooooo. I think that Odysseus is set on the fact that Penelope was faithful when he learned her story of weaving and unraveling the web to prevent marrying a suitor. He was delighted to hear that she had hope of him returning and her uneasiness and uncomfortable feelings toward marrying a suitor.
hehe
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