The suitors of Penelope are a central theme in Homer’s Odyssey. They give the narrative a rapid, even dizzying pace, and create a suspenseful effect for the reader, as Ulysses must overcome many obstacles to reach Ithaca, while his wife Penelope is pressed to make a decision regarding one of the suitors.

The suitors of Penelope in the Odyssey were a group of young men who had a common interest in Queen Penelope and the throne of Ithaca. They were mainly from noble families and neighboring kingdoms, attracted by Penelope’s reputation for beauty and intelligence, as well as the wealth and power associated with the throne of Ithaca.

Among the most notable suitors were Antinous, Eurymachus, Amphinomus, and Leiodes. They were all men of great stature and irresistible charm, capable of seducing the women of the island with their eloquence and imposing presence. However, their interest in Penelope went far beyond physical attraction.

The suitors were aware that Penelope was the wife of Ulysses, the famous hero of the Trojan War, and they hoped to take advantage of his prolonged absence to conquer her and take control of the kingdom of Ithaca. They were convinced that Ulysses was dead and that they had the right to claim Penelope’s hand. Their main goal was to become the new king of Ithaca and enjoy all the privileges associated with it.

In addition to their desire for power, the suitors were also motivated by Penelope’s wealth. They knew that the queen had inherited an immense fortune from her father, and they hoped to seize it by marrying her. They believed that Penelope would be unable to resist their charm and that she would eventually marry one of them, allowing them to access her fortune.

However, Penelope was an intelligent and cunning woman. She knew that the suitors were interested in her status and wealth, and she therefore devised a strategy to keep them at bay. She pretended to weave a shroud for her father-in-law Laertes, promising to choose a suitor once the shroud was finished. However, every night she unraveled her work, thus delaying the choice of a suitor.

The suitors were frustrated by this situation and began to press Penelope to choose one of them. They even began to behave disrespectfully towards her and her household, wasting food and palace goods. Their arrogant and irresponsible behavior eventually led to their downfall.

The arrival of Ulysses, disguised as a beggar, marked the beginning of the end for the suitors. Ulysses organized an archery contest to choose his successor and succeeded in killing all the suitors with the help of his son Telemachus and a few loyal servants. Thus, the suitors paid the price for their greed and arrogance.

In conclusion, the suitors of Penelope in the Odyssey were ambitious men greedy for power. Their interest in Penelope was motivated both by her status as queen and her wealth. However, their arrogance and lack of respect towards Penelope and her household eventually led to their downfall. The lesson learned from this story is that greed and arrogance only lead to destruction, while intelligence and cunning can triumph.

Anabasis Project Team