penelope

• Zeitlin - Her continuing fidelity becomes the “principal anxiety that hovers over the entire poem”
• Nickel - is defined by her loyalty to Odysseus
• Jones - Penelope is mired in conflict and part of her desire for Odysseus’ return is because he will resolve all these issues
• Finley - Penelope is “key to the unity of the poem”
• Wilson - Odysseus has freedom to travel and assume multiple identities but Penelope is trapped by her marital status, either waiting for Odysseus or marrying someone else