Odysseus and Penelope
The OdysseyThe enduring love and fidelity between Odysseus and Penelope, tested by time and separation.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingPenelope's Longing
Penelope's Grief
Constant Weeping
Penelope mourns Odysseus daily. She refuses to remarry.
Dreams and Hopes
She dreams of his return and prays to Athena.
The Weaving Trick
Her cunning is driven by her love and hope.
Odysseus's Yearning
Odysseus's Homesickness
On Ogygia
Odysseus longs for Penelope and Ithaca, rejecting Calypso's offer of immortality.
The Journey Home
His desire to see his wife drives him through all hardships.
The Reunion
He thinks of her constantly and plans to reclaim her.
The Test of the Bed
The Final Proof
Penelope's Caution
She tests Odysseus by asking about their bed.
Odysseus's Reaction
He describes the bed's construction, proving his identity.
The Embrace
They weep and embrace, reunited after twenty years. Their love is reaffirmed.
Throughout Odysseus's absence
During his captivity and journey
After the slaughter
