Penelope
Queen of Ithaca Penelope (a.k.a. Arnacia, Weft face)
Mental characteristics
Personal history
In order to date Penelope, Odysseus had to beat her father, Icarius, in a foot race. Penelope is married, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, & daughter of Icarius of Sparta & Periboea. She only has one son with Odysseus, Telemachus, who was born just before Odysseus was called to fight in the Trojan War. She waits twenty years for Odysseus' return, during which time she devises various cunning strategies to delay marrying any of the 108 suitors. On Odysseus's return, disguised as an old beggar, he finds that Penelope has remained faithful. She has devised cunning tricks to delay the suitors, one of which is to pretend to be weaving a burial shroud for Odysseus's elderly father Laertes & claiming that she will choose a suitor when she has finished. Every night for three years, she undoes part of the shroud, until Melantho, a slave, discovers her chicanery & reveals it to the suitors. When the disguised Odysseus returns, she announces in her long interview with him that whoever can string Odysseus's rigid bow & shoot an arrow through twelve axe heads may have her hand. When the contest of the bow begins, none of the suitors are able to string the bow, except Odysseus who wins the contest. Having done so, he proceeds to slaughter the suitors – beginning with Antinous whom he finds drinking from his cup – with help from Telemachus, Athena & the slaves Eumaeus the swineherd & Philoetius the cowherd. Odysseus has now revealed himself in all his glory; yet Penelope cannot believe that her husband has really returned – she fears that it is perhaps some god in disguise, as in the story of Alcmene – & tests him by ordering her slave Eurycleia to move the bed in their bridal-chamber. Odysseus protests that this cannot be done, since he made the bed himself and knows that one of its legs is a living olive tree. Penelope finally accepts that he truly is Odysseus.
Intellectual Characteristics
Penelope is shown multiple times to be fairly wise, developing multiple challenges for her pining suitors.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Telegonus: Telegonus is Odysseus's son via Circe. After Telegonus killed Odysseus & was revealed to be his son, Penelope adopted Telegonus.
Family Ties
Daughter of Spartan king Icarius & Asterodia. Step-cousin of Helen of Troy. Husband of Odysseus, & mother of Telemachus.
- Helen:
- Telemachus:
Relationships
History
Odysseus succeeded in a race against Penelope's father, Icarius, allowing him to marry her. After they got married, Icarius tried to persuade Odysseus to remain in Sparta. Shortly after they left Sparta, they had a son, Telemachus. Then Odysseus got called into the Trojan War. Odysseus was away at sea for 20 years before returning home. In the meantime Penelope had to ward off multiple suitors. Eventually they were reunited, but Odysseus's past came back to haunt him in the form of Telegonus.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Penelope & Odysseus both value intelligence & wisdom over everything else.
Alignment
Lawful Good.
Age
52?
Date of Birth
August 16,
Circumstances of Birth
Born to Icarius & Asterodia.
Birthplace
Sparta,
Spouses
Archer of Limos
(Husband)
Siblings
Children
Pronouns
She/Her
Sex
Female.
Gender
Woman.
Presentation
Feminine.
Eyes
Green.
Hair
Long pink.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White.
Height
5'2"
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