Book 23-Meeting Penelope

I stood in the great hall alone when my Penelope walked inside. She just stood there, starting at me. Telemakhos how she could act this way. I thought this was a little amusing, so I told him to leave her alone. I then gave them orders, and they went to obey. I told the harper to play loud music, so the people outside would think that Penelope married a suitor. I did this to stay hidden. I bathed and then told the maid to prepare my bed. Penelope told me that I wasn't going to sleep in my bed. This is when I snapped at her. I then told her all I knew of the great bed I made, in order to prove that I really was the great Odysseus. She believed me right away after I told her. She hugged me and told me why she couldn't believe me right away. I warned her of my next prophecy that I would fulfill because I didn't want it to surprise her. I didn't want to think about it that night, so I told her of my entire journey from the moment I left home, to my return. I went to bed and had the greatest sleep I've had for some time. When I woke up I made my plans. I was going to see my father. I told Penelope and the maids to stay hidden in the upper rooms. Telemakhos and I prepared our war gear and left the house.

When Penelope told me where I was going to sleep that night, I finally snapped at her. I yelled, "Woman, by heaven you've stung me now! Who dared to move my bed? No builder had the skill for that--unless a god came down to turn the trickk," (435). I can't believe how she reacted to the sight of me. I can understand her doubthing me at first, I mean c'mon its been twenty years. But for her to be so stubborn angered me so. Nobody tells Odysseus what to do. I am master of my own home.

In response to my anger and talk of our secret sign, Penelope gave her reasoning. She said to me, "I could not welcome you with love on sight! I armed myself long ago against the fauds of men, impostors who might come--and all those many whose underhanded ways bring evil on!" (436). She didn't want to bring her hopes up, and then have them come crashing down again. If she was like this for every man, then she wouldn't have any hope left. She would just turn everybody away. People have to be cautious of others in order to know who they truly are.