Does Penelope Recognize Odysseus?

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Brandi Martin October 4th, 2011 Humanities I Professor Asher Essay #1: The Odyssey Homer is arguably one of the greatest ancient Greek poets in history and his works have been strategically analyzed and debated in classrooms everywhere. For example, a great discussions lies in The Odyssey questioning whether or not Penelope recognizes Odysseus before Book XXIII. Some argue that she is clueless, but it is my opinion that Penelope knew Odysseus was disguised as the beggar the whole time. I believe she didn’t say anything because she is clever like her husband (e.g. in Book II when she tricks the suitors by weaving the funeral shroud all day and unweaving all night so no progress could be made and more time could be given to Odysseus to return home) and realized the importance of his disguise. Therefor, she kept quiet and even made efforts to keep the suitors distracted. The first moment where Penelope suspects Odysseus will be coming home is in Book XVII. On the return of Telemakhos, who is now tougher and braver than ever, she is told that Odysseus is alive and will be home any day. She comments that “if he comes again, no falcon ever struck more suddenly than he will, with his son, to avenge this outrage” (Homer, 329). Upon this statement, she hears Telemakhos’s loud sneeze, almost as if it were “an acclamation” (Homer, 329). It is plausible that Penelope takes these odd occurrences (the sneeze and Telemakhos’s sudden change of strength and courage) as signs from the Gods, leading her to start considering the actual possibility of Odysseus coming home. Upon experiencing such signs, Penelope starts to be very attentive to what goes on within and around her house. She requests to speak to the beggar who supposedly knows information about her sweet husband. However, the beggar delays the conversation until sundown and Penelope remarks how “he is no

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