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what does penelope’s treatment of the “beggar” reveal about her

by Bianka Rutherford Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Penelope does this because she realized that her husband would be in danger, in his current surroundings, if she was to reveal who he really was. Therefore she acts as if she does not know the beggar is Odysseus

Odysseus

Odysseus, also known by the Latin variant Ulysses, is a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in that same epic cycle.

. However, it is portrayed subtly in the book that she does indeed know that the beggar is her husband.

Penelope reveals to the beggar that she does not like the suitors invading the castle and she is loyal to Odysseus and will wait for him.

Full Answer

Why does Penelope treat the beggar with such compassion?

This comment by Telemakhos shows that in the past Penelope has not been as hospitable toward guests. Therefore it is interesting that she would treat such a beggar with such care and compassion. The reason she does this is that she now has an increasing suspicion that the beggar is in fact her husband, Odysseus.

Did Penelope recognize Odysseus disguised as the beggar?

surrounding whether or not she recognized her husband Odysseus disguised as the beggar. I believe Penelope intuitively knew that Odysseus was the beggar but did not want to raise any red flags to the suitors, so she conjured up a clever way of ensuring that Odysseus could claim her “fair and square”.

What did Penelope ask the Stranger in her house?

Penelope asked the stranger in her house where he was from and who his family was. She wanted to understand the man who might have news of her husband. Odysseus tells her that to speak of them would bring him sorrow and that his reaction would dishonor her welcome and her home.

How does Penelope change in the Odyssey?

In T.H.S. Wallace’s “So the Old Beggar with Bow Can Shoot Straight as Death” and Dorothy Parker’s “Penelope”, Penelope is transformed from a gentle woman into a harsher one. In The Odyssey, Penelope is described as a somber lady that misses her husband dearly.

What does Penelope tell the beggar?

19.640ff (Lombardo): [Penelope has just told the beggar about her plan to set up the axes and ask the suitors to shoot an arrow through them, agreeing to marry the one who is successful.]

What do Penelope's actions here reveal about her?

In lines 16-23, what do Penelope's actions reveal about her character? It reveals that she is still grieving and in love with Odysseus even though she is about to give herself up to a suitor.

How does Penelope feel about the beggar?

She recognizes the beggar as her long lost husband and chooses not to unveil his true identity. Penelope does this because she realized that her husband would be in danger, in his current surroundings, if she was to reveal who he really was. Therefore she acts as if she does not know the beggar is Odysseus.

What do we learn about Penelope in her interview with the beggar?

What do we learn about the character of Penelope in her interview with the beggar? She is cunning, she has remained loyal and faithful to Odysseus and it's getting too weak to continue to fight to avoid marriage.

How does Penelope react when she sees Odysseus?

When Odysseus returns, Penelope doesn't recognize him and cannot be sure that Odysseus is really who he says he is. She tests Odysseus by ordering her servant Eurycleia to move their marriage bed. Odysseus gets angry.

Does Penelope cheat on Odysseus?

Pausanias records the story that Penelope had in fact been unfaithful to Odysseus, who banished her to Mantineia upon his return.

How does Penelope react to the beggar getting a chance?

When the beggar/Odysseus asks for an unofficial chance at the bow, Penelope immediately counters Antinous' objection. Dismissing the idea that the guest would claim her as his bride, she responds that by giving the wandering stranger a shot she is simply being hospitable.

Why does Penelope trust the beggar?

Penelope is a fair and kind person and she is horrified at how the beggar was treated. She invites the beggar in because he wants to give him food and ask him about Odysseus.

How was Penelope treated in the Odyssey?

Some critics dismiss Penelope's role in The Odyssey as a paragon of marital fidelity — a serious and industrious character, a devoted wife and mother, but one who lacks the fascination and zest for life that some of Homer's immortal women display.

Do you think Penelope know the beggar was really Odysseus?

Penelope does this because she realized that her husband would be in danger, in his current surroundings, if she was to reveal who he really was. Therefore she acts as if she does not know the beggar is Odysseus. However, it is portrayed subtly in the book that she does indeed know that the beggar is her husband.

Why did Odysseus disguise himself as a beggar and tell Penelope that Odysseus will return to Ithaca?

Athena meets Odysseus on Ithaca and disguises him as an old beggar so that he can gain information without being recognized.

Why doesn't Odysseus disguised as the beggar want to tell Penelope his past?

Odysseus doesn't want to tell Penelope his past because he wants to protect her and himself from the suitors. The beggars tells her that her to not worry and that her husband is coming back home soon. The beggar tells Penelope what Odysseus was wearing 20 years ago.

Why does Penelope act as if she does not know the beggar is Odysseus

Penelope does this because she realized that her husband would be in danger, in his current surroundings, if she was to reveal who he really was. Therefore she acts as if she does not know the beggar is Odysseus. However, it is portrayed subtly in the book that she does indeed know that the beggar is her husband.

What does the beggar tell Penelope about Odysseus?

From this point on ... ... middle of paper ... ...at if he was not revealing himself ...

How does Homer know Odysseus would be recognized by his family?

The very first piece of evidence Homer provides that Odysseus would be recognized by his family, is when the old dog recognizes who he was. The dog had been around since Odysseus had set sail on his epic journey. This makes the dog extremely old, and yet it still is able to recognize Odysseus' voice. The fact that the dog recognizes him in disguise ...

Does Penelope know the identity of the beggar?

On numerous occasions she makes comments that would lead one to think that she doesn't know the identity of the beggar, but it is merely the fact that she is highly intelligent and is able to hide what she knows very well. Through all of these examples, it is obvious that Penelope recognized Odysseus to some extent in the beginning, ...

Does Penelope ever cross paths with Odysseus?

Upon hearing of the travels of the beggar, Penelope is very interested to question him as to whether he has ever crossed paths with her husband Odysseus. The story that Odysseus tells her is for the most part untrue.

Did Penelope recognize Odysseus?

Through all of these examples, it is obvious that Penelope recognized Odysseus to some extent in the beginning, and throughout his time posing as a beggar she became more convinced of his identity. She hides this knowledge only to protect herself and her husband.

What is Penelope's character in Homer's Odyssey?

In Homer’s Odyssey, we see a small side of Penelope as she greets her husband Odysseus after his return from his 20-year long journey; she is sweet and gentle, treating him as if he left for a day. In T.H.S. Wallace’s “So the Old Beggar with Bow Can Shoot Straight as Death” and Dorothy Parker’s “Penelope”, Penelope is transformed from a gentle woman into a harsher one. In The Odyssey, Penelope is described as a somber lady that misses her husband dearly. In the poems, however, she is depicted in

Who is the woman in the Greek epic narrative?

Each epic hosts a new and interesting woman who makes a place for herself in the complex narratives. Helen survives as a woman who knows her place, in history, the narrative, and the events leading up to the war and acknowledges all of these when other characters

Who are the only exceptions to the rule of women?

Yet the only exceptions to this rule are immortals such as Athena, Hera , and Aphrodite, who function by a different set of guidelines because they are goddesses. For instance, they are allowed to have more independence then flesh- and-blood women because they are already symbols of

What does Penelope ask the stranger?

So she asks the stranger what Odysseus was like, how he looked, and who was traveling with him. The stranger—Odysseus himself—describes the clothes Odysseus would have been wearing, how he acted, and the people he was with. Penelope offers the stranger... (The entire section contains 2 answers and 502 words.)

What does Odysseus tell Penelope?

Odysseus tells her that to speak of them would bring him sorrow and that his reaction would dishonor her welcome and her home. Unable to get away with avoiding answering Penelope, Odysseus makes up a story.

Why does Odysseus dress as a stranger?

He dresses as a stranger and beggar to surprise the suitors who are disrespecting his home and family when he arrives after his long years of travel.

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