On Odysseus's return, disguised as an old beggar, he finds that Penelope has remained faithful. She has devised tricks to delay her suitors, one of which is to pretend to be weaving a burial shroud for Odysseus's elderly father Laertes and claiming that she will choose a suitor when she has finished.
Penelope believes that by marrying one of the suitors, she can maintain stability and security for herself and her son, Telemachus. She hopes that by choosing one of the suitors, she can avoid further conflict and possibly prevent them from causing harm to her and her household.
Penelope delays choosing one of the suitors by telling them that she will choose a husband once she finishes weaving a burial shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes. However, she unravels the shroud each night to buy herself more time.
Penelope set the test of stringing Odysseus's bow to identify the one suitor who could successfully complete this task, as it required great strength and skill. By setting this test, Penelope hoped to reveal the true identity of her husband, Odysseus, who she suspected might be among the suitors in disguise.
Penelope set up a test for the suitors involving Odysseus' bow. She challenged them to string the bow and shoot an arrow through a row of twelve axe heads. Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, was the only one who successfully completed the challenge.
The suitors plan to ambush and kill Telemachus upon his return to Ithaca to eliminate competition for Penelope's hand in marriage and to secure their own control over Odysseus's estate. They believe that by removing Telemachus, they will have a better chance of winning Penelope over.
Penelope avoids choosing one of the suitors by telling them she will make a decision once she finishes weaving a burial shroud for her father-in-law Laertes. However, she secretly unravels her weaving every night to delay making a choice.
Penelope promised to decide which one of the suitors to marry when she finished her death shroud for Laertes. But, she secretly unraveled the parts she weaved every night. This continued until one of her maids, who fell in love with one of the suitors, betrayed Penelope.
The suitors hope that Penelope will choose one of them as her new husband, as they believe Odysseus will never return. They have been pressuring Penelope to make a decision and have been waiting for her to give them an answer.
Penelope, wife of Odysseus. She had a lot of suitors, who said Odysseus was dead and that she should marry one of them.
Penelope's plan to test the suitors is to promise to choose a new husband once she finishes weaving a burial shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes. However, she secretly unravels the shroud at night to stall for time and see who remains loyal to her and Odysseus.
Penelope told the suitors that she would weave a tapestry, and once she was finished, she would marry one of the suitors. Penelope weaved during the day, but secretly undid her work at night.
Penelope's suitors are a major subject in Homer's The Odyssey. Agelaus was one of the suitors and was killed by Odysseus.
she will pick one of them to go with her.
she will pick one of them to go with her.
Odysseus calls the suitors out for taking over the house and making Penelope marry one of them.
Eurynomus, third son of Lord Aigyptios, was one of the suitors of Penelope
Antinous suggests to have the suitors killed. Since Telemachus is the only suitor that keeps Antinous from Penelope, if Antinous gets rid of Telemachus and the rest of the suitors, he will be the only one left in the house and Penelope will be forced to marry Antinous.