Jalen Greenberg

Eng 3

Prof Humphrey

09/24/2020

Penelope’s Polytropos as a Parallel to Odysseus

Polytropos, or “much-traveled,” refers to the Greek concept of “well-

roundedness.” In the case of Odysseus, it is in reference to his loyalty and craftiness.

However, these traits apply just as well to Penelope. Penelope demonstrates a polytropos

of her own through her own loyalty to Odysseus and her craftiness.

Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus’ loyalty to his crew is emphasized, as he puts

their safety above all. He demonstrates this quality when he rescues his crew from Circe

after she turned them into swine. He sleeps with Circe, despite his commitment to his

wife Penelope, to save the crew. Through this act, Odysseus' loyalty comes to a head, and

he must make the choice to save his crew, as it is the more just choice for him to save his

crew while committing infidelity than to remain pure while abandoning his crew. The

word choice of Odysseus “consenting” (10.405-410) to her commands further evokes this

dichotomy of Odysseus' loyalty to his crew conflicting with his loyalty to Penelope. This

test of loyalty contrasts with Penelope’s seemingly undying loyalty to Odysseus, as she

lives a life of lies and deceit to preserve herself for Odysseus. The way that she “kept the

Aecheans from knowing” for “three years" (2.105-110) to remain faithful to her husband

draws parallels with Odysseus' actions on Circe’s island of Aenea. While Penelope

“beguiled” her suitors to remain faithful to Odysseus, Odysseus seduced Circe, acting in
infidelity, in order to remain loyal to his crew. While both of their actions were

completely justified in their own right, Penelope’s actions demonstrated her loyalty to

Odysseus, who failed to show that same loyalty to Penelope.

During Odysseus’ journey, his strength is his wit, leading him through the

hardships that he faces. During his aforementioned encounter with Circe, it was his wit

that saved his crew. His crew’s survival on Aenea was dependent on his craftiness.

Furthermore, his craftiness is further demonstrated when he disguises himself as a beggar

to test the loyalty of his household. This leads the craftiness of Penelope to reveal itself,

as she deceived her suitors and those around her to remain faithful to Odysseus. By

“unraveling [the shroud]” (2.100-105), after weaving all day, she ensured that the shroud

would never be completed. Thus, postponing her father’s funeral, as her fellow Aechean

women would be “wroth with [her],” if a man as great as her father “[lays] without a

shroud” (2.95-105). By putting off her marriage until her father’s funeral, she ensured

that she’d never be married against her will. This paradox that she creates makes sure that

she will marry Odysseus. So, when Penelope decides that the only suitor who may marry

her must be able to win the archery contest, she is setting Odysseus up to be the victor.

She knows that no one is strong enough to “string the Great Bow of

Odysseus” (21.315-320). She leads the suitors on, completely deceiving them into

believing they could be her groom. The fact that Odysseus was present serves as the

resolution to her years of deceit, as when he participates in the contest, he “without

[much] effort, [strings] the great bow” (21.405-410). The juxtaposition of Odysseus

“[taking] up a swift arrow" (21.415-420) with the prior failures of the false suitors serves
to highlight the fruits of Penelope’s labor. Her craftiness through the years of Odysseus’

journey is what led her to him, even when the odds were stacked against her. Even when

suitors were lined up, she deceived and “seduced” them, all to reunite with Odysseus. Her

craftiness is not unlike Odysseus’ craftiness when he disguises himself as the beggar, as

they both utilize their wit to find each other.

Penelope’s polytropos lies in her loyalty and her craftiness. Her loyalty to

Odysseus is guided by her craftiness, and her craftiness is guided by her loyalty to

Odysseus. She deceives the household because she is loyal to her husband, whom she has

faith will return. Her wit perseveres until the very end, when they reunite. It is because of

her loyalty that she was able to persevere, and her wit allowed her to achieve her goal.

Her polytropos parallels and compliments Odysseus’ journey, as they utilize their wit in

similar fashions, while their loyalty ultimately leads them both towards their goals.