Rhetorical Questions In The Odyssey

Similar to other classic literature, Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey exhibits the human struggle against a greater power, which each person must use their intellect, courage, and morals to overcome. These factors, which can be seen by the epithets and rhetorical questions, are posed to Penelope during the book. The poem is an exultation of man over the glory of the Gods because despite man’s limitations his achievements are obtained through the combination of his intelligence, fortitude and skills not supernatural powers. Epithets reveal a characters history, personality, and characteristics. In Penelope’s case the epithets used to describe her reveal how she has used her own intelligence, strength, and willpower to withhold the suitors.

Again drawing from the scene where Penelope tells Odysseus of her trail a rhetorical question is presented to her. The question follows Penelope’s dream about a eagle (Odysseus) coming and killing all of her geese (the suitors). Beggar Odysseus is trying to make Penelope believe that the dream is a way of Odysseus showing her that he is coming to kill the suitors. He says “ Has not Odysseus himself shown you what is to come?”(XIX. 371). This rhetorical question is crucial to the plot of the epic poem because when Odysseus actually comes and kills the suitors Penelope cannot believe that it is him. Her ingenuity is once again revealed because she is not trustworthy of men anymore and to test any man who claims to be Odysseus she makes him tell her a secret only the real Odysseus would know. On the other hand the gods have the ability to tell and predict the future so they would have had no trouble identifying Odysseus. Once Penelope has revealed the trial to the suitors and one man Leodes has tried and failed, he asks the other suitors a question “ Resolute, are you still, to win Odysseus’ lady Penelope?”(XXI. 396). He has realized that this chase after a lady who is unwanting of them is futile. Throughout the whole book Penelope has denied the suitors any satisfaction because she has been loyal to Odysseus. Her loyalty is noteworthy because of the lack of loyalty elsewhere in the book. Agamemnon’s wife Klytemnestra killed him like “an ox felled at a trough” (XI. 198) . Agamemnon absolutely abhorred the entire women population and all to come, except for Penelope because he knew that she was faithful and “ too wise, and clear-eyed,” (XI. 199). Not to mention Zeus and many other gods were known to cheat on their significant others. After Odysseus defeated all of the suitors, Eurykleia goes to get Penelope, when Penelope hears the news she is in disbelief and is