#penelope odyssey

[bleeding-seraphic]

More from this au

[money-and-dandellions]

odysseus: opens his mouth

eurylochus: I know you love your wife

odysseus: but-

the crew: and that she has beautiful hair too

the prophet: and that you miss her

the dead crew: terribly

athena: and that she is smart

athena: very smart, please do not correct me

the sirens: and that her eyes are the prettiest thing you have ever seen

odysseus, nodding along: also-

the fucking ancient Greece: we know you love your wife, odysseus

[oddyseye]

Can we get something straight here about Penelope and this whole “Spartan” thing?

Sure, we all know Penelope was from Sparta (well, technically), and we’ve all seen enough 300-inspired pop culture nonsense to think that every Spartan woman must be some spear-wielding, leather-clad, muscle-bound badass. So let’s clear that up once and for all: Penelope was absolutely not that type of Spartan. In fact, that vision of Spartan women is more of a modern fantasy than an actual reflection of Spartan society, and Penelope herself would probably laugh in your face if you tried to pin her down to that archetype.

First off, let’s talk about what it actually meant to be Spartan. Yes, Spartan women had a reputation for being strong, but we need to understand that strength wasn’t defined by throwing a spear or taking down enemies with a shield. Spartan women were celebrated for their physical health and were tasked with producing strong offspring to build the next generation of warriors. They were also responsible for the running of the household when their husbands were off fighting in wars, which meant managing estates, controlling property, and overseeing the everyday operations of Spartan life. So, while Spartan women were not helpless, they weren’t exactly wandering around with weapons, challenging every person who crossed them, either. Penelope’s version of Spartan strength was a little more intellectual, shall we say. For twenty years, while Odysseus was “getting lost” (as one does), Penelope faced down a horde of suitors who were camped out in her house, constantly pressuring her to choose a new husband. Did she pull out a spear and kill them all? No. That’s not what spartan women did. Did she start a war? Absolutely not. Instead, she employed the ultimate weapon: patience. She weaved and un-wove a shroud for years as a stalling tactic, keeping the suitors at bay. Sure, there’s no sword involved, but let’s be real: that takes more cunning than any weapon ever could. Spartan women are not known for fighting, but for surviving.

Penelope’s Spartan roots may have given her the ability to endure, to manage her household, and to outsmart the suitors who had overrun Ithaca, but we’re missing the point if we think that means she was out there battling it out like a heroine from some action flick. Her version of strength was mental, not physical. Instead of wielding a spear, Penelope wielded her intellect, her wit, and her ability to play the long game. If you’re expecting Penelope to start slaying suitors left and right, or charging into battle with a sword in hand, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Pop culture would love to turn Penelope into a spear-wielding warrior queen, but the actual historical context is far more subtle and far more impressive. She was Spartan in the most meaningful sense of the word: resilient, strategic, and damn clever. Penelope did not need muscles at all. She had the power of endurance — something a spear can’t give you.

[chatnoirebene]

I am Penelope of Ithaca!!!

I took inspiration from @gigizetz for the design

Warrior!Penelope AU

[dootznbootz]

Sorry, not sorry but I see this too often and it bothers me :)

Before people get mad: Notice how I put “Me and Penelope fans” there? I know there's others. this ain't about you <3

edit: This is about how people in the fandom prioritize Odysseus and Telemachus (and even Diomedes, who is not in the Odyssey) despite the Odyssey also being HER story as well. I've seen many fics about Odysseus and Telemachus in their youth, and never really seen that for Penelope.

[xxbrightshadowxx]

Ithaca Saga incorrect quote

Odysseus: would you still love me after everything I did?

Penelope:…

Penelope: Ody, you could tell me that you killed all the gods and you’d still own my heart and soul.

Odysseus, nervous laughing: funny thing—

[oliveoilisedible]

Penelope will always be a girlboss because by sitting behind the 12 axes she told the suitors to shoot through cleanly, not only was she

mocking them by being showing she was fully confident they wouldn’t succeed

But also BASICALLY TELLING EVERYONE THAT THEY WILL NEVER BE BETTER THAN HER HUSBAND WHO ACTUALLY COULD SHOOT THROUGH 12 AXES.

AND ON TOP IF THAT PROVING HER LOVE TO ODY BY SAYING THAT IF ANYONE WERE TO EVER SUCCEED THE CHALLENGE AND BECOME KING, THEY WOULD’VE KILLED HER BY DOING SO. QUITE LITERALLY, SHED RATHER DIE THAN RULE WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN ODYSSEUS!!!

[peablesart]

not even the depths of the ocean could come close to quenching the drought of my heart in the absence of you

tiktok has hardcore not been pushing this out like I’ve tried twice anyways

(click to see clearer image)

[logolepsy-babble]

I heard someone say this, so we’re sharing.

Rick Riordan loves his long standing romances to mirror Grecian romance myths.

Percy and Annabeth mirror Odysseus and Penelope, how they love each other and Percy was thrown onto the island of Ogyia with Calypso. Even through the wars, he fought for her. He fought Polyphemus. He could never forget Annabeth regardless of what was thrown at him.

Nico and Will mirror Orpheus and Eurydice. They both went to the underworld. Will could never leave without his Eurydice, Nico. He traveled the Underworld and turned around on the stairs to see Nico. He used song to open the stairs of Orpheus. He proved multiple times that he would not let himself live without Nico there. He was weaker than Nico, but he would fight for him. Their love had the approval of the Gods and Hades, in specific.

Honorable mention: Silena Beauregard and Clarisse La Rue. You CANNOT tell me they weren’t in love with each other in the good luck, babe/casual/I wish you were a boy sense. anyways. Achilles and Patroclus. Clarisse who despised most except Silena. Silena who was kind-natured and sweet but still could be strong. Clarisse who was relentless, cruel, strong, and a valiant fighter. Clarisse who boycott the war. Silena who wore Clarisse’s uniform to break the boycott. Clarisse who brutally k*lled others because the one she held most close to her heart died. Clarisse who loved her best friend, Silena.

[murasaki-cha]

I just read a comment saying that The Princess Bride is low key The Odyssey from Penelope's pov and I need a moment.... or several....

[bleeding-seraphic]

WE'RE SO BACK

Everyone say thank you bisexual liar man

[the-willow-in-dis]

Penelope from the odyssey! (also epic the musical) with her #1 simp Odysseus!

[mistystarshine]

I have found many AUs where Poseidon turns Odysseus into a merman and they bring me great joy. B u t.

Consider. An AU where he turns him into a full-bore siren. Poseidon allows him to return to Ithica because surely no one will believe him if he tells anyone who he is. So he's left swimming the shores of Ithica with anyone who sees him thinking he's a murderous magical fish woman.

Until he sees Telemacus.

Until Telemacus gets hurt and he jumps to save him.

And Telemacus, being Telemacus, decides that this monster is his new friend. Odysseus can't bring himself to lose the opportunity to get to know his son even though he can't bring himself to say who he is. Then one thing leads to another and Penelope takes it upon herself to meet him again. Once again, Odysseus can't bring himself to tell her who he is, but also can't stand to leave her again. And Penelope, being Penelope, eventually pieces together that this siren is, in fact, her idiot husband who invoked a god's wrath. (and he will always be her husband)

[whotfletamothhyperfx]

I find it so hard to make people ACTUALLY look related cause i only draw found families instead of biological ones so this is the closest i will probably get lol

[dootznbootz]

Penelope is also Athena's pet/blorbo/special little mortal/etc. and if you think otherwise you're straight up wrong.

You're also wrong if you think Athena only likes Penelope because of Odysseus and/or Telemachus. As if Athena didn't see a young Penelope pull some shit and immediately think "Oh! Another mind to mold! C'mere you! Let's do some riddles and weaving!". Athena was happy that two of her favorite pets have met and fell in love!

[k0fkoa]

Penelope whyyy??? U know I'm to shyyy 🥺