“The Penelopiad” is a novella written by the acclaimed Canadian author Margaret Atwood. Published in 2005, it is part of the Canongate Myth Series, where contemporary authors rewrite ancient myths. Atwood’s retelling of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” offers a feminist perspective, with Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, as the narrator.
The novella is a mix of prose and poetry and is divided into 29 chapters. It follows the story of Penelope, who reminisces on the events of “The Odyssey,” life in Hades, Odysseus, Helen of Troy, and her relationships with her parents. The story is also narrated by a Greek chorus of the twelve maids who were hanged by Odysseus and his son, Telemachus. The maids provide commentary on the events in the form of a Greek chorus, adding depth to the story and highlighting the injustices that women faced in ancient Greece.
Author Background
Margaret Atwood’s Literary Career
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author, poet, and literary critic. She was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1939 and grew up in northern Ontario and Quebec. Atwood has written more than 50 books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays. She is best known for her novels, including “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Alias Grace,” and “Oryx and Crake.”
Atwood’s literary career spans over five decades, and her work has been translated into more than 30 languages. She has won numerous awards, including the Booker Prize, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and the Governor General’s Award. Atwood has also been shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature several times.
Influences on Atwood’s Work
Atwood’s work is often characterized by its feminist themes and dystopian settings. She has cited a number of authors and works as influences on her writing, including George Orwell’s “1984,” Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”
In addition to her literary influences, Atwood has also been influenced by her experiences as a woman in Canada. She has been an advocate for women’s rights and has written extensively about the ways in which women are marginalized in society. Atwood has also been a vocal critic of environmental degradation and has written about the need for sustainable living.
Plot Overview
“The Penelopiad” by Margaret Atwood is a retelling of Homer’s “The Odyssey” from the perspective of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. The story is narrated by Penelope from the afterlife, where she and her twelve hanged maids reflect on the events that occurred centuries before.
The novel begins with Penelope’s childhood and her arranged marriage to Odysseus. When Odysseus leaves for the Trojan War, Penelope is left to manage their household and deal with suitors who are vying for her hand in marriage. After twenty years of waiting for Odysseus to return, Penelope is reunited with her husband and they live happily ever after.
However, Atwood’s retelling of the story adds a new layer of complexity. Penelope reveals that she had an affair with a suitor named Eurymachus and that she was complicit in the murder of her twelve maids. In the afterlife, Penelope and the maids confront their guilt and regret over their past actions.
Main Characters
Penelope
Penelope, the protagonist of “The Penelopiad,” is the wife of Odysseus and the mother of Telemachus. She is known for her intelligence and resourcefulness, which she uses to outwit the suitors who are vying for her hand in marriage. Penelope is also the chief narrator of the story, and she shares her perspective on the events that transpire throughout the novel.
Odysseus
Odysseus is Penelope’s husband and the king of Ithaca. He is a renowned warrior who has been away from home for over a decade fighting in the Trojan War. Throughout the novel, Odysseus is portrayed as a flawed hero who is often selfish and cruel to those around him. Despite this, Penelope remains fiercely loyal to him and longs for his return.
The Suitors
The suitors are a group of arrogant and entitled young men who have taken over Odysseus’s palace in his absence. They are vying for Penelope’s hand in marriage and are determined to win her over by any means necessary. Throughout the novel, they engage in a variety of unsavory behaviors, including eating and drinking all of Odysseus’s resources and harassing Penelope and her maids.
The Maids
The maids are a group of twelve young women who work in Penelope’s household. They are often overlooked and mistreated by the other characters in the novel, and their stories are largely untold. However, in “The Penelopiad,” they are given a voice through their chorus, which comments on the events of the story and provides an alternative perspective to Penelope’s narration.
Other Key Figures
Other key figures in “The Penelopiad” include Telemachus, Penelope and Odysseus’s son, who is struggling to assert his authority in his father’s absence, and Helen of Troy, Penelope’s beautiful and vain cousin who is often held up as a symbol of female beauty and power.
Themes and Motifs
Gender and Power Dynamics
In “The Penelopiad,” Margaret Atwood explores the gender and power dynamics prevalent in ancient Greek society. Penelope, the protagonist, is forced to navigate a world dominated by men, where women are expected to be subservient and obedient. Atwood challenges this patriarchal system by giving voice to Penelope and other female characters, highlighting their agency, intelligence, and strength. Through Penelope’s story, Atwood shows how women can resist and subvert oppressive systems, even in the face of great adversity.
Storytelling and Mythmaking
Another major theme in “The Penelopiad” is storytelling and mythmaking. Atwood reimagines the classic tale of “The Odyssey” from Penelope’s perspective, offering a fresh and alternative narrative. By doing so, she explores the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of history, truth, and identity. Atwood also questions the nature of myth and legend, showing how they can be used to both elevate and marginalize certain groups of people.
Death and the Afterlife
Finally, “The Penelopiad” deals with the theme of death and the afterlife. Penelope and other characters reflect on their mortality and the possibility of an afterlife, grappling with questions of faith and belief. Atwood uses these moments to explore the human condition and the fear of the unknown. She also raises questions about the nature of justice and retribution, as characters who have died seek to find meaning and closure in their lives.
Narrative Structure and Point of View
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood is a retelling of Homer’s Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, the wife of the hero Odysseus. The narrative structure of the novella is unique as it is told in retrospect, with Penelope and her Twelve Maids in the afterlife reflecting on the events that occurred centuries before.
Atwood’s choice of point of view allows for a deeper exploration of the female experience in ancient Greek society, as well as a reexamination of the traditional hero narrative. By giving voice to Penelope and the Maids, Atwood challenges the patriarchal society that silenced women and marginalized their experiences.
The novella is divided into chapters, each with a different focus. Penelope’s first-person narrative is a mostly linear account of her life, while the Maids act as a Greek chorus, providing commentary and insight into the events of the story. The use of multiple narrators and perspectives adds complexity to the story and allows for a more nuanced understanding of the characters and their motives.
Literary Devices and Techniques
Metafiction
In “The Penelopiad,” Margaret Atwood employs metafiction, a literary device that draws attention to the fact that the story is a work of fiction. By doing so, Atwood challenges the traditional interpretation of the story of Penelope and Odysseus, providing a fresh perspective on the characters and their motivations. The use of metafiction also allows Atwood to explore the role of women in ancient Greek society and to comment on the contemporary treatment of women.
Intertextuality
Atwood uses intertextuality, the referencing of other literary works within a text, to add depth and complexity to “The Penelopiad.” By referencing the works of Homer and other ancient Greek authors, Atwood highlights the connections between her work and the literary tradition that precedes it. At the same time, Atwood subverts the traditional interpretation of these works, offering a feminist critique of the ancient Greek canon.
Symbolism
Symbolism is another literary device that Atwood employs in “The Penelopiad.” Throughout the novella, Atwood uses symbols to represent abstract concepts, such as the twelve maids who represent the voiceless and oppressed women of ancient Greece. By using symbolism, Atwood is able to convey complex ideas and themes in a concise and powerful manner, adding depth and nuance to the story.
Historical Context
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood is a retelling of Homer’s Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. The novel explores the social and historical context of ancient Greece, particularly the gender roles and power dynamics of the society. Atwood’s portrayal of Penelope as a strong, intelligent woman challenges the traditional portrayal of women in ancient Greek literature as passive and subservient.
In ancient Greece, women were considered inferior to men and were expected to be obedient to their husbands and fathers. They were not allowed to participate in politics or public life and were confined to the domestic sphere. The Penelopiad exposes the harsh realities of life for women in ancient Greece and the limited options available to them.
Atwood also highlights the importance of storytelling in ancient Greek culture. The novel is structured as a series of monologues and dialogues, with Penelope and the twelve maids taking turns to tell their stories. Through these stories, Atwood explores the power of narrative and how it can be used to shape reality and influence people’s perceptions.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad for its feminist perspective and innovative storytelling. The novel has been described as a “brilliant and subversive” retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, with Atwood giving voice to the silenced female characters in the original epic.
Some reviewers have noted the playfulness and humor in Atwood’s writing, as well as her skillful use of different narrative techniques. The inclusion of a Greek chorus of maids, who comment on the action and offer their own perspectives, has been particularly lauded.
However, some critics have criticized Atwood’s portrayal of Penelope as overly passive and resigned to her fate. Others have taken issue with the novel’s darker aspects, such as the brutal treatment of the maids and the bleak depiction of the afterlife.
Adaptations and Interpretations
Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad” has inspired several adaptations and interpretations. The book was adapted into a play in October 2005, which was performed throughout Canada. The play is a one-woman show featuring Penelope and the twelve maids as a Greek chorus.
The book’s feminist themes have also been explored in academic research. Many scholars have analyzed the book’s critique of the patriarchal society in which it is set. Atwood’s choice to focus on the female characters in “The Penelopiad” challenges the traditional male-centered narrative of “The Odyssey.”
The book’s themes of storytelling and memory have also been explored in adaptations. In 2017, the Royal Shakespeare Company produced a play called “The Penelopiad” that featured a chorus of maids who acted as storytellers. The play explored the power of storytelling and how it can be used to shape history.