While Odysseus was gone, his wife Penelope was being forced to entertain a large group of suitors who wanted to marry her. Penelope did not like any of the suitors, and only wanted Odysseus to come home to her.
she didn't want them there and felt uncomfortable with their presence
Telemachus learns that his mother, Penelope, has remained faithful to his father, Odysseus, despite the suitors' advances. He also realizes her strength and cunning in dealing with the suitors while waiting for Odysseus' return.
Penelope
While he was dressed as a beggar, he saw one of the maids consorting with Penelope's suitor. Odysseus suggested that Penelope test which of her maids are faithful to her and not her suitors.
She treats him like a long lost friend, they almost have a connection: especiall through Dreams. The suitors treat him like a poor desolate who is leaching of them (which is ironic because that is what they REALLY are doing to the beager a.k.a. Odysseus).
Odysseus feels angry and vengeful toward the suitors for disrespecting his home and trying to win Penelope's affections while he was away. Penelope, on the other hand, feels disdain and frustration towards the suitors for overstaying their welcome and pressuring her to choose a new husband, as she remains faithful to Odysseus.
Penelope, Odysseus's fateful wife
Penelope's web refers to the clever strategy employed by Penelope, the wife of Odysseus in Homer's "Odyssey." To delay remarrying while waiting for her husband's return, she weaves a tapestry during the day and unravels it at night, effectively stalling her suitors. This act symbolizes fidelity and cunning, illustrating her resilience in the face of pressure and uncertainty. The web also represents the themes of patience and the complexity of female agency in the narrative.
In "The Odyssey," Homer often describes Penelope as "wise" or "clever." This highlights her intelligence and ability to outwit her suitors while remaining loyal to Odysseus.
Two characters who contrast with Odysseus in "The Odyssey" are the suitors, who represent arrogance, greed, and disrespect, and Penelope, who embodies patience, loyalty, and cunning. The suitors' behavior highlights Odysseus's noble qualities, while Penelope's steadfastness serves as a counterpoint to Odysseus's long journey and trials.
While the suitors may have their own reasons for pursuing Penelope, their disrespectful behavior towards her, their squandering of Odysseus' wealth, and their violent intentions towards Telemachus do not garner sympathy. Their actions are immoral and unjust, leading to their eventual punishment by Odysseus upon his return.