The Odyssey Group

Question:

dannibaby
dannibaby
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In The Odyssey, does Penelope actually know the identity of the beggar during the interview between her and Odysseus?

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Posted by dannibaby on Thursday March 19, 2009 at 8:56 PM and tagged with beggar, identity, interview, odysseus, odyssey, penelope, the odyssey.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    Penelope does not know. Only Odysseus' very old, faithful dog recognizes him, dying once his master is safely home. Odysseus himself does not reveal his identity. Instead, he tells Penelope that she should not marry because her husband is nearby and will return to her very soon. Penelope doesn't believe the "beggar," but she directs Odysseus' former nurse to bathe him. The nurse then realizes the beggar is Odysseus when she recognizes a scar that identifies him, but she promises not to reveal what she knows.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/summary

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    Posted by mshurn on Friday March 20, 2009 at 12:24 AM