The Penelopiad: Your opinions of characters

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The Penelopiad: Your opinions of characters

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1lorannen
Jun. 2, 2014, 12:00 pm

Did reading The Penelopiad change your impressions or feelings about the original Odyssey, or any of the characters and their behavior? If so, how and why?

2ritaer
Jun. 7, 2014, 3:16 pm

Eurykleia is less attractive in Atwood's version. More of a meddling old woman than a loyal servant. I could see a version in which she could be the faithful 'mammy' of the Confederate soldier returning from the Civil War, with Penelope as the plantation mistress who has needed her help to keep things together but resents having been dependent on a mere slave. Bearing in mind that there was no racial component in Greek slavery.

3Felurian
Jun. 8, 2014, 10:42 am

All of the characters became more real, less heroic and far more accessible and immediate. I *liked* them better for being allowed to dislike them on some levels.

Except Helen.

What a wench.

If The Penelopiad were made into a movie there would be an obligatory cat fight between Helen and Penelope.

4dave94703
Jun. 10, 2014, 1:11 am

Because of Taming of the Shrew, wench is a GOOD word to me. ("Now THERE'S a wench!") I'm presuming you were using it as a stand-in for the "B" word.

5Felurian
Jun. 10, 2014, 1:59 pm

Sort of, Dave. "Wench," to me, is worse, the sort who, in the words of my grandmother, "wouldn't say s*** if she had a mouthful," and manages to provoke and manipulate everyone around her and comes out looking like an angel.

A bitch is at least open in her bitchery.

"Wench" in Taming is rather a good word though.