Penelope's Renown

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Penelope's character in the Odyssey is explored through the lens of narrative strategy, revealing her as a representation of the poem's overall indeterminacy. Marylin Katz connects her contradictory behavior to the narrative's deferral of truth, examining how the story of Agamemnon's return serves as a crucial reference point for Odysseus' homecoming. The tension surrounding Penelope's fidelity mirrors the fate of Clytemnestra, evolving into a focus on Helen's faithlessness as the narrative progresses, ultimately complicating the interpretation of her actions without outright discrediting them.