Marriage in Greek Mythology

Paper Summary:

This paper uses Homer's "The Odyssey" and "The Iliad" in order to discuss the topic of marriage. The author of the paper uses examples from the texts in order to qualify observations made. The paper explores the relationships between Penelope and Odysseus; Andromache and Hektor.

From the Paper:

"Of the many virtues valued in the time of The Odyssey, however, fidelity and trust are emphasized as Homer focuses on these as the core of a superior relationship (a marriage) as well as a superior person. The various struggles and temptations throughout the journey of Odysseus to return to his home and his faithful wife are validated by the faithful wife in Ithaka, awaiting his return. As Penelope is clearly meant to be a paragon of marital fidelity, there is no question as to whether or not Penelope was loyal to her husband Odysseus during the twenty years of his being gone. Once the Trojan War ended and Odysseus was not amongst any of the returning Achaean warriors, the inhospitable and greedy suitors began to pursue her at will and employed her cunning in various attempts to dissuade them off in hope of Odysseus' return. By occasionally showing signs of favor to the suitors, she encouraged them to do more to win her favor and worked to draw out the time."

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