University of Arkansas. Fall, 2013. CLST 1003
Odyssey essay to write in class on Wednesday October 2, 2013.
PENELOPE’S LETTER TO HER SISTER IPHTHIME
Students will write the letter in class, without referring to notes, texts or other resources.
Penelope’s Letter to her Sister
Review Odyssey, books 17-23 (Lombardo translation), from the point where Penelope first hears that Antinous has hit the beggar (Odysseus in disguise: 17.535ff.).
Imagine that you are Penelope. You have just arisen from a divinely-lengthened night in bed with your husband (for the first time in twenty years).
Odysseus has just told you to take care of the house while leaves to see his father Laertes (23. 364-388 Lombardo).
Write a letter to your sister Iphthime (a phantom of whom Athena had sent to sleeping Penelope in Book 4, lines 852ff – Lombardo), telling her of your experiences and feelings about what you have experienced with the beggar who turned out to be your husband — from the time you first heard him being mistreated (17.535) to the end of book 23. When did you first suspect that the beggar was not who he seemed to be? What were your feelings when you first saw him? Why did you decide to test him? What do you hope for the future?
You will be responsible for mentioning at least ten of the following items/characters in your letter. The professor will assign which ten to include (but you may include more than ten if you like).
Your loom (19.135ff Lombardo)
Odysseus’ bow (Book 21)
Odysseus’ scar (23. 74ff Lombardo)
Your bed (23. 166ff. Lombardo)
Odysseus’ brooch (19.243 Lombardo)
Your dream of geese (19.585ff Lombardo)
Eumaeus
Telemachus
Eurynome
Athena
Eurymachus
Antinous
Melantho (“shameless whore that you are” (Penelope, 19.100 Lombardo)
Eurycleia
Be creative, but do not stray too much from verisimilitude. If you do not know Ancient Greek, you may write your essay in English.
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