Homer and Aeschylus depict the potential of mankind through their female
characters in "The Odyssey" and "Agamemnon." While Penelope represents the
good and faithful wife, Clytaemnestra represents the heartless, unfaithful
wife. Both epics illustrate women as complex and thinking individuals.
Female power is nothing simple, nor is it something to be taken lightly.
In other words, these authors are demonstrating through their female
characters, that women can be just as loving and hateful as their male
In Homer's "The Odyssey," Penelope is a complex woman. On one hand, she
is a faithful wife and on the other, she is quite aware of her sexuality.
Instead of marrying someone that could easily make ruling Ithaka easier,
Penelope chooses to remain single. In addition, she uses her charm with
her suitors while remaining very loyal to her husband. In many ways,
Penelope is depicted as fickle and indecisive. For instance, we are told,
"Spurn them she does not, though she hates marriage/nor can she bring
herself to choose among them" (Homer 286-7). By not choosing, she leaves
the state of Ithaka in a precarious predicament. She continually resisted
several men who were courting her. However, Penelope appears to be more
than just a fickle woman. Her stubbornness was an example and when a
disguised Odysseus sees her, he says:
Has gone out under a heaven like the sweet
Honor of some god-fearing king, who rules
In equity over the strong" (Homer 115-8)
This statement illustrates how she was able to maintain control over the
Penelope's cleverness is also illustrated when she decides to make a
decision concerning who she will marry. We do not know it she knows who
Odysseus really is, but it is clear that Homer wants Penelope to be seen as
cunning and resourceful. Penelope also illustrates her strength of
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