Loyalty and Fidelity

The theme of loyalty, both to family and to masters, and its rewards.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Penelope's Fidelity

The Faithful Wife Refusing to Remarry Penelope remains faithful to Odysseus for twenty years. The Weaving Trick Her cunning is a form of fidelity. The Reward She is reunited with her husband.

Eumaeus's Loyalty

The Faithful Servant Serving the Absent Master Eumaeus remains loyal to Odysseus, managing his pigs and hoping for his return. Helping the Disguised King He treats the beggar kindly, unknowingly serving his master. The Reward He is given freedom and a place in the family.

The Disloyal Servants

The Consequences of Betrayal Melanthius and Melantho They betray Odysseus by siding with the suitors. The Punishment They are brutally killed. The Moral Loyalty is rewarded; betrayal is punished.

Throughout Odysseus's absence

Throughout the story

Throughout the story