The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus
Quick Summary
The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus is a 2005 novel by Margaret Atwood. It retells Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, from the perspective of Penelope, Odysseus's wife, and her maids.12
In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope is known for her faithfulness and intelligence. During Odysseus's 20-year absence, first fighting in the Trojan War and then struggling to return home, Penelope devised clever tactics to fend off 108 suitors who were overrunning Odysseus's palace. She famously wove a shroud by day and unraveled it by night, delaying her remarriage. The novel offers a feminist perspective on the myth, giving voice to Penelope and the often-overlooked female characters.321
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