The Penelopiad: Dislodging the Myth of Penelope as the Archetype of Faithful and Patient Wife

Abstract

Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, a retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey, is narrated by Penelope and the twelve maids. It aims at dislodging the traditional myth, which presents Penelope as the archetype of faithful and patient wife. Although Penelope is disciplined with Odysseus’s threats of slaughtering her if she proves to be unfaithful and Eurycleia’s folk sayings stressing hard work and dedication, Penelope, herself, refuses to be made an example of as the considerate, trustworthy and all-suffering wife. As she is often depicted in contrast with the radiant seductress Helen, Penelope asserts that she had to compensate for her lack of beauty with her modesty, cleverness, devotion and discretion. However, it is suggested that she envies Helen's sexual liberation. Moreover, her rebellious character surfaces when she complains about the childish acts of gods and mocks the stupidity of Zeus; pulls down her veil to hide the fact that she is laughing at her father, begging for her to stay with him; daydreams about with which suitor she would rather sleep or dreams of Odysseus being eaten by the Cyclops or torn apart by the Sirens; traps Eurycleia into almost giving away Odysseus. Eventually, Penelope is associated with the moon-goddess and/or High Priestess Diana and thereby with Artemis, Selene and Hecate. Reminiscent of Artemis, who is the guardian of springs and streams, Penelope, being of Naiad born, is half water and is depicted weeping most of the time. Selene is known for her numerous love affairs, and similarly, there are rumours that Penelope have slept with all of the suitors. Echoing the worship of Hecate, who is associated with witchcraft and wisdom, Penelope’s cunning plan and secret gatherings at night with her maids to untie the knots of the shroud resemble some dark ritual.