Bother
... she took her seat opposite Odysseus in the glare of the fire against the farther wall. He sat down against a tall pillar, looking down, waiting to see if his excellent wife would say something when she saw him with her own eyes.
Odysseus wasn't the best husband nor the best father nor the best king for wife, son and kindom. He was hiding for 7 years out of 10. Earlier he explained her that he could not return, but he never tried to make contact. We already know that Menelaos in Sparta must have known this and had contact with him. Nevertheless, no sign was sent.
The situation at the palace was terrible for Penelope, and before the suitors came three years ago, there has been opportunities. Odysseus had neglected Penelope, and who wants back this neglecting loser?
She waited more then 19 years, for him to come home at the very last moment. Odysseus didn't appologize for his absence, he was a proud man, but maybe he refused to change his clothes and wore the rags of a beggar, to beg her.
The situation at the palace was terrible for Penelope, and before the suitors came three years ago, there has been opportunities. Odysseus had neglected Penelope, and who wants back this neglecting loser?
She waited more then 19 years, for him to come home at the very last moment. Odysseus didn't appologize for his absence, he was a proud man, but maybe he refused to change his clothes and wore the rags of a beggar, to beg her.
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Odyssey Book 23 line 84-85 Barry B Powell
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So this is obvious, Odysseus was a loser. Penelope forgives this humble beggar for his foolishness and his neglecting deeds.
Only now they can be together again.
Only now they can be together again.
Dear nurse, it is hard for you to understand the councel of the gods who last for ever, no matter how wise you may be. But all the same, let us go to my son, so that I can see the dead suitors, and who killed them.
Things are more complicatated then they seem to be. Now is the time to neglect him. If finally Penelope goes down to the hall were Odysseus is, she didn't embrace Odysseus, but chooses a place far away from him.
But she didn't!
She sat in silence for a long time, and amazement came upon her heart.
Now Penelope is neglecting him, she is amazed he didn't make his appology. Telemachos thinks his mother is cruel and unfeeling.
My child, the heart is amazed, and I cannot say a word, neither to ask a question nor to look at him in the face.
Penelope however was a very wise woman, she decided to forgive him by blaming the gods.
It is the gods who gave us this sorrow, who didn't want us to enjoy our youth together and come to the threshold of old age.