Odysseus Credibility Of Her Husband In Homer's Odyssey

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While Medea has rejected her husband and her role, all aspects of Penelope’s existence, according to William J. O’Neal, are defined by her relationship to Odysseus. When Odysseus returns home, Penelope confesses that she has remained faithful to him. “Odysseus has warred, adventured, and has enjoyed the intimate company of both Circe and Calypso,” writes O’Neal (117). Homer’s Penelope does the exact opposite. “The dutiful wife accepts the absence and adultery as her husband drifts off into sleep,” writes O’Neal (117). “She even accepts, without complaint, Odysseus’ announcement, on the night of their reunion after twenty years, that he is leaving again,” writes Van Zyl Smith (395). Clearly, Odysseus only needs Penelope to keep his kingdom together,
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