16 THE FAITHFUL READER through adventure and wanting the security of a home that protects him from dishonorable death at sea. More often than not, Odysseus chooses fighting rather than friendship, glory rather than peace, adventure rather than home. In contrast, Penelope recognizes that she has a choice in her circumstances, and she conscientiously uses her virtue to preserve rather than destroy her home. The First Cause of Disorder in Penelope’s Home When we first meet Penelope, she is faced with an unfortunate situation that appears to be her own doing. The Ithakaian suitors bring disorder to Odysseus’ household in his absence by eating up his wine, sheep, and cows without proper recompense. According to the suitors, Penelope’s actions win a great name for herself at the cost of her son’s inheritance. Telemachos also blames his mother for allowing the suitors to eat up his birthright and wealth and pose a threat to his life. Both the goddess Athena and the suitors advise that Penelope return to her father’s household to court and marry again, which would bring a swift end to the apparent injustice. On second glance, however, the disorder and destruction enacted by the suitors is not caused by Penelope, but by Odysseus. Penelope is beset by the suitors against her will. Odysseus’s choice to prolong his absence brings disorder to his household. Although the poet begins by claiming that Odysseus longs for his wife and his homecoming, Odysseus himself is strangely silent in expressing that longing. We later learn that it is Poseidon who frustrates the latter half of Odysseus’ travels as revenge for Odysseus’ act of blinding his son, Cyclops. But why was Odysseus on Cyclops’ island, and why was he trapped in Cyclops cave? Not out of necessity, but out of a thirst for adventure. Odysseus’ love for adventure leads him astray, always further away from home. Moreover, his love for war-making eventually brings danger to his home, as we see at the very end of the epic. Odysseus ironically brings “peace” to his household by slaughtering the suitors, a war-like action that invites the threat of destruction upon his home from neighboring families. Problematically, Odysseus’ absence has also caused Telemachos to
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