Homer and His Penelope of Ithaca By SD (text-colour:red)[Content Warning: References to suicide and domestic abuse. Disclaimer: all references to the supernatural in the Twine are purely Homer's beliefs, and may not be used for historical evidence.] [[Begin-> Start]] [[Bibliography ->Bibliography]]As (cycling-link:"Medon","the faithful herald of Odysseus"), ever so alert and calm, tells you of the suitors' plans; you feel your knees give way, your body buckling under you, your heart failing as you listen. You weep, lamenting for a boy not yet dead. The pain in your heart numbs you so horribly you sink down in the entrance of your chamber, unable to reach the chairs nearby. Breaking through your wailing, you angrily criticize (cycling-link:"Zeus", "The King of the Gods and the Greek god of Thunder") for giving you more pain than he has given any other living woman. You mournfully rage over the ignorance you had unknowingly possessed, wishing someone had told you of Telemachus's plans to sail away. You tell someone to call for the orchard keeper to inform Laërtês of what transpired so he would cry shame on the suitors. Your nurse, a dearly and elderly lady named Eurycleia, tries to calm you, futilely hushing your cries. She wishes for you to refresh yourself with a bath and new clothes so you can go pray, but you swat her away, unsure of what to do, your thoughts clouded by turmoil. However, you do realize that if you pray, perhaps one of the many gods who will hear your prayer will help you. But you realize that the gods are not always willing to help, and the chances are slim that anyone will, even if they listen. What will you decide to do now? [[Retreat into your bed -> Telemachus's ship]] [[Choose to pray -> Pray 2.0]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," The possiblity of Penelope breaking down at the death of Telemachus is very high, given how deeply she loves her family and it would be the breaking point for her due to the added emotional strain of Odysseus being absent for so long. The part that phrases Penelope as 'distastefully criticizing Zeus is not completely correct. At least I do not think so. This is how I interpreted Penelope's words in the book.")Although you have felt immense emotional turmoil and criticized Zeus and others for not giving you a sign of Telemachus' yearning to sail, you are soothed by your nurse, a dear and elderly lady named Eurycleia. She hushes you, keeping you calm until you have been bathed and dressed in fresh linen. You fill a basket with barley and lead your maids to the upper rooms of the castle to pray to (cycling-link:"Athena","Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. In the Odyssey, Athena is closely connected to Odysseus and his family"). You pray, speaking the words: //"Tireless child of Zeus, graciously hear me! If ever Odysseus burned at our altar fire thighbones of beef or mutton in sacrifice, remember it for my sake! Save my son! Shield him, and make the killers go astray!"// You end the prayer with a cry. Now that you've finished praying, you feel the exhaustion of pouring out your emotions and retreat to your chamber, lying in bed numbly as you worry for your son. [[Athena hears your prayer -> End of Book 4]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," Often, for the sake of keeping players from getting bored, dialogue will be summarized, with direct quotation used if determined to be important to the storytelling factors of the twine. Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Robert Fitzgerald, and D. S. Carne-Ross, The Odyssey (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998), [Page 75]//")A few weeks pass. Unfortunately, there is was no possible way to know, for you are not the Fates, for you do not possess (cycling-link:"Apollo","The Greek god of the sun, archery, music, prophecy, disease, healing, and poetry")'s power of prophecy, that your actions would lead this horrible outcome. Perhaps it is mercy on yourself that you have accepted in your mind that Telemachus too, will not return home from sea. It is possible that, if you had chosen to pray, a god or goddess might have heard your pleas and would use their divine power to find your son and help him home. In another of the (cycling-link:"Fates", "Three sisters who are the personifications of destiny")' weaving, there exists a world where you had prayed, and goddess Athena heard you. In this other world, the goddess would have gone to find your, enlightening him about the dangers awaiting him at home. In another world, she would have told Telemachus to return home, to be cautious of the suitors lying in wait between Ithaca and Samês. You are unaware of this possibility, for you are painfully mortal. You are startled when Medon rushes into your chamber. Turning away from the window, where you had been watching the seas for signs of your son's ship, you see Medo struggling to catch his breath. He sputters frantically, giving you bad news. The suitors have returned. Moments ago, they docked on the shores, cheering and victorious. They successfully ambushed Telemachus' ship, and now your son and his ship are lost at sea. And now, you are the only one left- a queen with no king and no heir. (Cycling-link:"Antinous","a violent and overly-confident suitor who strives to take Odysseus' throne. He is one of the two most prominent suitors trying to get Penelope in marriage and leads the other suitors in the plan to kill Telemachus") comes into your chamber, his eyes gleaming with the glint of a man who knows he has won. He roughly grabs your hand and demands that you marry him. Do you accept? [[Marry Him -> Binding]] or [[refuse him -> Bondage]] (cycling-link: "⟡","Although it breaks the perspective of being in second person, I find that the first part of the passage is needed as a way of letting the player know what Penelope does not in a sense of failure or doom. Or in other words, to add character. It is possible that Telemachus was a main reason of being a road block in Antinous' goal of marrying Penelope. Therefore, I am assuming that if Telemachus was taken out of the scene, Antinous could accomplish his goals.")Unbeknownst to you, in the dark and shadowy hall below you, the suitors are boasting. They believe that you do not know their plan and that you will cave and marry one of them. (Cycling-link:"Antinous","a violent and overly-confident suitor who strives to take Odysseus' throne. He is one of the two most prominent suitors trying to win Penelope's hand in marriage and leads the other suitors in the plan to kill Telemachus") quickly scolds them, and leads them to the shore where they prepare a ship for their plan. Meanwhile, now that you've finished your prayer, you are in your high chamber, silent, eating and drinking without tasting. Your thoughts are plagued with worry for your son, wondering: //Can he escape? Or will the suitors find and kill him?// Your thoughts twist and turn like a fearful animal up until sleep overtakes you. In your dreams, a dim phantom appears and speaks to you: //"Sleepest thou, sorrowing Penelope?"// Pensively, while unaware that you are still resting in (cycling-link: "Hypnos'","Greek god of Sleep") domain, you reply to her: //"Sister, hast thou come hither? Why? (cycling-link: "Aforetime", "Formerly") never wouldst come, so far away thy dwelling. And am I bid be done with all my grieving? But see what anguish hath my heart and soul!"// The phantom that is your sister speaks: //"Lift up thy heart, and fear not overmuch. For by his side one goes whom all men else invoke as their defender, one so powerful- Pallas Athena; in thy tears she pitied thee and now hath sent me that I so assure thee."// You then ask for the fate of Odysseus. He is alive? Has he gone to death in the Underworld? You wake from the dream, the dim phantom ending her visit, telling you she cannot tell you what has become of your husband. At the very least, your heart feels lighter now, in acknowledgement and relief that your prayer has been heard. [[Continue on -> Homer POV]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," Although telling audience directly of the information they'd either need to pick up on or should not be directely given is generally not a good idea, due to the fact it is very unlikely the player would have ever read the Odyssey, important information outside of Penelope's perspective is given. The Greek Underworld refers to the domain of the Greek god of the dead, Hades. Compared to other faiths such as Christianity, the Underworld is not seen as a place of Purgatory or Hell; it is simply a realm where the souls of the dead go. Antinous information //Clark. 'Antinous in the Odyssey: The Suitor Who Died First.' Classical Literature. Last modified January 11, 2022. Accessed September 22, 2024. https://ancient-literature.com/antinous-in-the-odyssey/. // Words in italics are taken from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 76-77].//")//Meanwhile the suitors had gotten under way, planning the death plunge for Telémakhos. Between the Isles of Ithaka and Samê the sea is broken by an islet, Asteris, with access to both channels from a cove. In ambush here that night the Akhaians lay.// You end the last line with a small flourish, and the music playing slowly decrescendos to a stop. In your mind, you are slowly releasing yourself from the confines of the character you are creating. There is a moment of pause, and the small crowd that had gathered applauds, excited to have heard a story from you once more. As the crowd disperses, you stand up and leave, musing to yourself as you wonder how to begin the next part of the story of the Odyssey. Perhaps you will end the story in a tragedy, or maybe you will allow your characters to have a happy ending. Only time will tell. [[Time skip -> Books five to sixteen]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," There is no evidence found of how exactly Homer's works were heard, it is only said to be orally told for centuries before being written. It is mostly assumed that Homer was believed to be a singer of tales, therefore it is assumed his stories were orally performed and then later written down. //'Odyssey.' In Epics for Students, 2nd ed., edited by Sara Constantakis, 485-514. Vol. 2. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2011. EPICS FOR STUDENTS TRIAL. // Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 78].")You reluctantly accept his hand in marriage. You've been backed into a corner and for once, although known as "Penelope the Wise", you cannot figure out what to do. In your mind, while you are desperately trying to figure out a way to remove yourself from this situation, the rational part of your realizes that, although you are the queen, a kingdom still needs a king and your heir is now dead. And it has been nearly two decades since they last saw their current king. Maybe it is simply best to accept Antinous as your lord. But deep down in your heart, you refuse to let anyone replace the throne that rightfully belongs to Odysseus. [[Refuse to see him as your husband ->Head Trauma ]] [[Learn to love him->Stockholm Syndrome]] (cycling-link: "⟡","Since Penelope is known to be a wise and cunning person, this passage is meant to emphasize and give the decision that often, people do not live up to their reputation and often struggle. In the end, she is still only human. Historically, or in the book, Penelope continues to devise many different plans to evade Antinous. So realistically, Penelope would continue to hold out on Antinous to postpone any actions with such drastic measures.")You tell him no. You tell Antinous that there is no way you will ever marry him, as you believe that Odysseus is still out there and he will come home. Antinous laughs in your face, asking if you really believe that. He asks if twenty years of waiting have not already proven to you that Odysseus is never coming home. You tell him no again. You tell him that even if he were able to force to you marry him, the people of Ithaca will never accept him as their king, as that spot is rightfully Odysseus'. You continue, telling him that you will tell your people of what he has done to Telemachus. Antinous's face contorts, morphing from a face of triumph into anger. He lashes out at you. [[Aftermath ->Head Trauma ]] (cycling-link: "⟡","Penelope is often characterized to have a deep faith in Odysseus and she always holds it in her heart that she trusts he will come home. This passage is to emphasize the trust they have for each other, putting into action the very real and canonical belief that Penelope holds for Odysseus.")Antinous scowls at you, angry that you've refused him. "Why not? It's not as if you have any other choice." You pull your wrist away from his grasp, rubbing it due to the pain his grip caused. "I will never marry someone like you. I have waited this long for Odysseus to come home, I can wait longer. I swear on the (cycling-link:"River Styx","For the Ancient Greeks, swearing on the River Styx was the most sacred oath, one that should never be broken") that I will never marry you while Odysseus is still alive and coming home." Antinous' face contorts into one of fury and he turns around and grabs a footstool, smashing it into your head. You fall to the ground in pain, your vision becoming blurry. It becomes hard to see or think. There is a wet feeling that surrounding your head, strongly smelling of metal. In your final thoughts, you think of your kingdom, of your people. What will become of them as their queen has gone? What will they do? They will have no king, no queen, and no prince. You think of Odysseus. Through all the years, you have never given up hope that he would come home. You silently apologize to him for leaving him only a country and no family to come home to. You begin to fade, slipping from the realm of the living. At least you will see Telemachus in the realm of Hades. [[Restart?-> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link: "⟡","It is possible that Antinous could be driven to such extreme violence towards Penelope considering his nature as a violent man. In the Odyssey, he is very much characterized to be the most aggressive and cruel of the suitors as throughout the books he committed very many acts of violence on Odysseus' household. The realm of Hades is also known as the Underworld. Compared to other faiths such as Christianity, the Underworld is not seen as a place of Purgatory or Hell (that's Tartarus); it is simply a realm where the souls of the dead go ")You feel that you are in love as time passes. You have convinced yourself that you are learning to love him, finding non-existent charismatic traits in a man full of evil faults. Slowly, you've come to ignore the abuse you endure. Your husband never stops drinking, using your home for parties, and he and the others continue to be disrespectful and aggressive towards others on a whim. Perhaps being faithful isn't a title that should apply to you anymore. But it's been so long since you've seen Odysseus, and you're awfully lonely. Maybe you should have prayed long ago, perhaps you should have desperately reached out to (cycling-link:"Athena","Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. In the Odyssey Athena is closely connected to some degree to Odysseus and his family."), and she would have brought Odysseus home. Time passes, and the kingdom of Ithaca declines under Antinous' tyranny, and you grow depressed. Antinous has been mistreating you. Rarely does he show you love or compassion. When he does, it's only an act for the people. You should have never let Antinous get through to you and assume the throne. In the morning, the people find your body hanging from a olive tree. [[Restart? -> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link: "⟡","For this passage, assume that Odysseus never comes home due to you not praying, meaning Athena never convinces Zeus to release him and he is stuck on Calypso's island until his death. I feel like since in the book Penelope was able to convince herself that Odysseus would come home, she would also be able to convince herself that she loves Antinous so some degree just to lessen the hardship she has on herself. So it's very much a Stockholm Syndrome (when the abused person develops a dependent bond with their abuser) situation. Also, it is very likely that if Antinous were to ever obtain the position of power over Ithaca, the kingdom would decline due to just how unfit he is to rule justly.")Several months have passed since you completed what you've now decided to be Book four of the Odyssey, named //The Red-haired King and His Lady//. (cycling-link: "⟡", "The first half of the book, not detailed in this twine, tells of Telemachus and Pisistratus (a tyrannical politician) and their arrival in Sparta to meet with Menelaus and Helen to ask about Odysseus's fate.") Over time, you have composed and orally performed twelve other stories. Each of the books continues with both Odysseus and Telemachus' journeys; Odysseus recounting his difficult journey, and Telemachus traveling to find his father. In your last book, Book #15, //How They Came to Ithaka//, Telemachus finally begins his journey home. Meanwhile, Odysseus has already returned back to Ithaca with the help of Athena, who disguises him as an old beggar. In Book #16, //Father and Son//, Odysseus and Telemachus finally reunite after many years. Now, the build-up to family being reunited will soon come to fruition.. Odysseus enters his own home, still dressed as a beggar. He enters the room with the suitors and Telemachus, faking a want for bread. Telemachus gives him bread first, before instructing Odysseus to go beg the suitors for more. As he goes around, the partying suitors each give bits and pieces of their bread until Antinous throws a foot stool at him. From where Penelope is, in the higher level of her room, she hears the blow and knows who it came from. A gentle mistress retells to Penelope of what she has witnessed. //"Here is a poor man come, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave its, to cram his bag - only Antinous threw a stool, and banged his shoulder!"// Penelope considered the mistress's words carefully. Thinking of what to do with the beggar. Maybe, the poor man has heard rumors of Odysseus. However, the chance that he is simply a beggar from the streets of Ithaca is also a strong possibility. Should she: [[Greet and question him -> Eumaios]] or [[Send the beggar on his way -> Convince]] (cycling-link: "⟡","It is not known how long exactly it took Homer to write the complete Odyssey as it is believed that Homer could have been several different people. In addition, his stories were passed down orally for many, many years before being written down. For the sake of the twine, it has been created that Homer compose the Odyssey in the span of roughly half a year or more due to the fact he is composing it in his head instead of having to write it down. Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 327-328].")⟡ You call for Eumaios, Odysseus' swineherd and friend. You tell him to go get the beggar on your behalf and have him sent to you, so that you can greet him and ask him questions about Odysseus. Eumaios tells you of his encounter with the beggar. He shares the tales the beggar told when he was housed in Eumaios' hut. The swineherd explains how enchanted he'd been by the beggar's stories and how the beggar claimed to have old ties with Odysseus as well. He tells you that if the beggar is to be believed, he carries news of Odysseus being alive in (cycling-link:"Thesprotia","A region of southwest Greece above Ithaca") and that he is bringing treasure home. You feel a bit skeptical, unsure whether or not to believe his words; however, you reason that a long-time friend of Odysseus would not lie about information regarding him. You tell Eumaios once again to call for the beggar and let him come to you, so he may retell the tales he shared for you to hear yourself. Moments later, Eumaios comes back without the beggar. You question him and he tells you the poor man does not wish to not tempt any fights from the suitors. Eumaios tells you to be patient and wait until night, until the two of you can be alone. Will you: [[wait until night fall -> Blows]]or [[refuse to wait and have the beggar speak to you now? -> Discord]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," 'Poor man' in the last paragraph is to be interpreted as another word for beggar, not as a way of Penelope showing sympathy towards the man. The text in this passage are taken and then interpretated, with dialogue cut out, from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 330-331].//")You dismiss the chance of the beggar having information on Odysseus from your mind, telling yourself that the beggar is simply a beggar. You call for Eumaios, Odysseus's swineherd and friend, to tell the beggar to leave. Eumaios counters, telling you of his encounter with the beggar. He tells you of the tales the beggar told when he was housed in Eumaios' hut. The swineherd tells of how enchanted he'd been by the beggar's stories and how he'd claimed to have old ties with Odysseus. He tells you that, if the beggar is to be believed, he carries news of Odysseus being alive in Thesprotia and he is bringing treasure home. You're skeptical of Eumaios's words and don't believe him. You tell him again to go tell the beggar to leave. He looks at you hesitantly, but remembering he is simply a slave, he goes to the beggar and tells him to leave. You watch as the beggar leaves, and you feel in your gut that maybe that was the wrong thing to do, but you trust in your decision and do nothing more. Odysseus is not coming home after all. [[The End-> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," One of Penelope's characteristics as a person is one who is very skeptical and cautious so it is plausible that she would not believe Eumaios' information about Odysseus. I chose to end this line here because I view Penelope's journey as holding out and being strong just to welcome Odysseus home. So I feel that if Odysseus isn't reintroduced back into the story, there is no reason for Penelope's story to continue.") You agree to wait, seeing that the beggar is no fool and understands how things are with the suitors. Eumaios rejoins Telemachus in the crowd, bending his head down to say something in secret before sitting down and eating, then leaving. The day fades into evening. The next day, you prepare to present yourself before the suitors. You refuse your mistress's wish of having you bathed and scented with fragrance. The good old woman accepts your decision and leaves your chamber. Suddenly, you fall asleep. ⟡ You clear your throat and begin to strum your lyre, singing: //"But now too (cycling-link:"the grey-eyed goddess","Athena") had her own designs. Upon the quiet daughter of (cycling-link:"Ikários","Icarius of Sparta, a Spartan king, not to be confused with Icarius of Athens who welcomed Dionysus or Icarus, son of Daedalus, the boy who flew too close to the sun.") she let clear drops of slumber fall, until the queen lay back asleep, her limbs unstrung, in her long chair. And while she slept the goddess endowed her with immortal grace to hold the eyes of the Akhaians. With ambrosia she bathed her cheeks and throat and smoothed her brow- ambrosia, used by flower-crowned (cycling-link:"Kythereia","Aphrodite") when she would join the rose-lipped (cycling-link:"Graces","The handmaidens of Aphrodite. There's typically three: Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia.") dancing. Grandeur she gave her, too, in height and form, and made her whiter than carved ivory. Touching her so, the perfect one was gone. Now came the maids, bare-armed and lovely, voices breaking into the room."// ⟡ You rise, leave the upper area of your chamber, and descend the stairs. You stop by a pillar, presenting yourself to the suitors. You quietly speak to Telemachus, scolding him for letting the poor man, now a guest, to be injured under your roof. Your son replies, understanding what he did wrong, and tells you the suitors lost, with the guest triumphing over Iros. You announce your intention of remarrying. Two of the suitors- Eurymachus speaks of your beauty, and Antinous speaks of accepting gifts given. At Antinous's words, each of the suitors go to fetch a gift for you. You take them, your arms full, and you ascend the stairs, leaving the suitors celebrate through the night. Later, deeper into the night, it is time to speak with the beggar, as you had agreed. Will you [[speak with him -> Odysseus]] or [[decide not to? ->Bail]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," Iros is another beggar who perceives Odysseus as a threat since he believes that he too, is a beggar and is now competition. He argues and insults with Odysseus until Antinous notices them and turns their fight into entertainment, saying that if one wins, he will award them. The text in this passage are taken and then interpretated, with dialogue cut out, from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 342-343].//")You tell Eumaios that you do not want to wait and that he should bring forth the beggar now. He hesitates but complies. Eumaios walks away and goes to the beggar. You watch them exchange words, the beggar seems to try and emphasize something only for Eumaios to shake his head, shutting it down. The beggar hesitantly nods his head and follows Eumaios as he returns to you. You greet the beggar and wave Eumaios away, letting him rejoin the crowd. You beckon the beggar to follow you, intending to retreat to your chamber to chat. You make it only a short way before you hear a cry of outrage from the suitors. They yell at the beggar for trying to enter your chamber, and before you can do anything, one of the suitors swings at the beggar. A loud crack rings out and the beggar collapses to the ground bleeding. You cry out in alarm but the suitors don't stop. They continue their onslaught, and you can see that the beggar bleeding out. What will you do now? Will you (either:[[help him->Assault]],[[help him->Safe]]) or will you avert your eyes and [[do nothing -> Realize]]?") (cycling-link: "⟡","In the Odyssey, the beggar asks Penelope to wait until nightfall, until they are alone to talk as he don't want the suitors to see him entering Penelope's chamber. This passage entails of what would probably happen what drunk, irrational men, who see a beggar enter the chamber of the woman they're trying to get, would do.")You call for the housekeeper to prepare a bench with sheepskin for the guest. Said guest sits down, and you carefully begin to speak to him: //"Friend, let me ask you first of all: who are you, where do you come from, of what nation and parents were you born?"// He replies, asking you to not ask such questions for his heart is sore, and he wishes to not relive the pain of grieving. Once again, you ask for his ancestry, asking him to confide in you. This time, he answers your question, telling you he is from Krete. He recounts the greatness of his home, of the cities and diversity. He tells you of one of the towns, Knossos, the living place of King Minos. Here, he says he saw with his own eyes once Odysseus. The guest tells you he witnessed Odysseus being driven south by gales until he dropped an anchor and came ashore. He claims to have taken in Odysseus into his home for twelve days until the thirteenth day where the gales dropped and Odysseus returned to sea. You weep, unable to to tell if the man lies about this information. You speak once more, asking the guest for proof that he had truly hosted Odysseus. The guest carefully details the exactness of what Odysseus had worn- from his purple cloak to his golden brooch, and his shiny tunic. Hearing the details, in such vividness, though only partially true, you feel strangely moved, tears falling once more. You tell the guest that he has won your sympathy, deserving of being seen as a respected quest and friend. For a while longer, you continue to speak to him before calling for an old nurse to wash him. As she finishes up, you ask your guest one last question. Should you stay beside your son and protect what you have and honor your husband, or should you marry the noblest, most lavish suitor? You then tell him of your dream and the trial you will impose on the suitors. [[Finale -> Ending! Finally! Yipee!]] (cycling-link:"⟡"," Trestle boards are similar to that of tables or desks. Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 356].")On the chosen day, you retrieve Odysseus' hunting bow and announce the trial to the suitors. You tell them that you will marry the man that is able to string the bow and shoot an arrow through the holes of twelve axe-heads set in a line in the ground. You watch, unsurprised, as each of the suitors tries in vain to string the bow. Telemachus almost succeeds until the guest stops him and asks for the bow. You command Eurymachus to allow the guest to have the bow, much to Eurymachus's dismay. Suddenly, your son faces you and sharply tells you to leave. You gaze in wonder at your son and withdraw from the hall, thinking of your son's clear-headed bravery. However, when you return to your room, you lay in bed weeping for Odysseus until you fall asleep. Old Eurycleia wakes you, telling you Odysseus has returned and killed the suitors. You fail to believe it. There is no possible way that is true! So you test him. You call for Eurycleia to place his bed outside the bedchamber Odysseus built and pile it with fleeces, rugs, and pure linen sheets. At this, the strange man who claims to be your husband turns to you, speaking in rage: //"Woman, by heaven you've stung me now! Who dared to move my bed? No builder had the skill for that unless a god came down to turn the trick. No mortal in his best days could budge it with a crowbar. There is our pact and pledge, our secret sign, built into that bed - my handiwork and no one else's!"// He continued, speaking of the olive tree and the bedroom built around it, of the doorway and smooth-fitting door, of the stump turned bedpost, of the inlaid silver, gold and ivory. Your heart stutters, your knees trembling and weak as tears brim your eyes. That's it! That's your secret with Odysseus! This man is truly your husband! You run to him, throwing your arms around his neck and kissing him, exhilarated, as you are finally reunited with your love. ⟡ The music stops as your words stop. With this last scene, there is nothing left of your story, the //Odyssey//, to continue. You have finally brought it to fruition. The crowd gathered claps for you as you exhale. Another story finished. However, as a bard, you will continue to create. Just because you've finished one, it does not mean the end. You sit there, in the city square, watching as people go back to their errands. Somewhere, in the back of your mind, you hope that the Greeks will remember and tell your story. Perhaps one day, in the future your stories will be remembered and you will be remembered in history as Homer the Rhapsode, teller of the //Iliad// and //Odyssey//. [[The End-> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link:"⟡"," If it is hard to understand, their secret, or Penelope's test is to ask the nurse to move their marriage bed, which if Odysseus was truly him, he'd know that is impossible as when he built it, it was built from a tree grown into the ground. Everything that is, to say, historically accurate in this twine is taken from Robert Fitzgerald's translation of the Odyssey. Words in italics are also from the book.//Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 435].//")Unbeknownst to you, in the dark and shadowy hall below you, the suitors are boasting. They believe that you do not know their plan and that you are going to cave and marry one of them. (Cycling-link:"Antinous","a violent and overly-confident suitor who strives to take Odysseus' throne. He is one of the two most prominent suitors trying to get Penelope in marriage and leads the other suitors in the plan to kill Telemachus") quickly scolds them, and leads them to the shore where they prepare a ship for their plan. Meanwhile, now that you've finished your prayer, you are in your high chamber, silent, eating and drinking without tasting. Your thoughts are plagued with worry for your son, wondering: //Can he escape? Or will the suitors find and kill him?// Your thoughts twist and turn like a fearful animal up until sleep overtakes you. In your dreams, a dim phantom appears and speaks to you: //"Sleepest thou, sorrowing Penelope?"// Pensively, while unaware that you are still resting in (cycling-link: "Hypnos'","Greek god of Sleep") domain, you reply to her: //"Sister, hast thou come hither? Why? (cycling-link: "Aforetime", "Formerly") never wouldst come, so far away thy dwelling. And am I bid be done with all my grieving? But see what anguish hath my heart and soul!"// The phantom that is your sister speaks: //"Lift up thy heart, and fear not overmuch. For by his side one goes whom all men else invoke as their defender, one so powerful- Aphroditê; in thy tears she pitied thee and now hath sent me that I so assure thee. She tells thee to stay steadfast in thy love and loyalty, and all will eventually come to be."// You then ask for the fate of Odysseus. He is alive? Has he gone to death in the Underworld? You wake from the dream, the dim phantom ending her visit, telling you she cannot tell you what has become of your husband. At the very least, your heart feels lighter now, in acknowledgement and relief that your prayer has been heard. [[Continue on ->Rejection/Reassurance]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," The line 'She tells thee to stay steadfast in thy love and loyalty and all will eventually come to be.' is not historically accurate. The first paragraph is most definitely not in second point of view. Although telling audience directly of the information they'd either need to pick up on or should not be directly given is generally not a good idea, due to the fact it is very unlikely the player would have ever read the Odyssey, important information outside of Penelope's perspective is given. The Greek Underworld refers to the domain of the Greek god of the dead, Hades. Compared to other faiths such as Christianity, the Underworld is not seen as a place of Purgatory or Hell; it is simply a realm where the souls of the dead go. Antinous information //Clark. 'Antinous in the Odyssey: The Suitor Who Died First.' Classical Literature. Last modified January 11, 2022. Accessed September 22, 2024. https://ancient-literature.com/antinous-in-the-odyssey/. // Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 76-77].//")During the night, you are riddled with doubt. You think about the beggar, and what transpired. Sure, Eumaios has long been acquainted with both you and, for even longer, Odysseus; therefore, Eumaios has no reason to lie, but you are still unsure. Maybe it is time to start making solid decisions for the good of your kingdom. You are a grown woman. You are a queen. You are no longer a child, and you are burdened with responsibility and purpose. It is time that you let go of your irrational hope for a man who left you for war and do what is needed for your kingdom. You convince yourself of this, firmly deciding that action must be taken. Thus, you lie down in your bed, leaving the beggar to sit throughout the night, waiting for you. In the morning, you instruct a servant to send the beggar away and you go to see the suitors to present them with a trial to compete for your hand in marriage and for the throne. [[Trial -> The Trial/Ending]] (cycling-link:"⟡","In all honesty, a passage like this is extremely out of character for one such as Penelope considering she is known as a symbol of hope and faith. However, since she is a queen, this passage is to go into the consequences of responsibility. Penelope has a duty to her lord/husband Odysseus, but she also has a duty to her kingdom. So it is possible that she'd think more about her kingdom over the a beggar if she deems that what he has to tell her is unecessary.") You scrunch your shoulders up and avert your eyes, looking away from the blood and the sounds of fists and feet hitting the beggar. There is no reason you should interfere as if you do, there is a chance that you, too, will get hurt. You turn around and retreat to your chamber, waiting for the suitors to finish. You reemerge from your chambers when the night has deepened and you go back to the hall. The hall is empty and has yet to have been tidied by the servants. The beggar lies there, where he had been when you had left and you run over to him. The blood that halos his head has since dried, crusted into the ground. You kneel down next to him and lift the limp body. Gingerly, you push back the beggar's bloodstained hood and begin to move his long hair away from his battered face. The beggar's face has been bruised black and blue, cuts and blood litter his features. Your eyes widen in shock. "Odysseus!?" [[Restart?-> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link:"⟡","Penelope is a cautious character. She is a character who doesn't rush into situations she cannot possibly come out on top of in some way. So it is plausible that in a situ ation like this, where she sees these rowdy, drunken suitors attack a nameless beggar, Penelope would simply turn away from it.")You grab at the tunics of some of the suitors, pulling them back in an attempt to stop them from attacking the beggar. The ones you pull off stop, standing around instead, with the others continue their onslaught. You try in vain to pull the rest off, tugging at their tunics, but they throw you off. You fall back, landing painfully on the ground. Shaking off the shock of pain, you get back on your feet. "Stop, stop this at once!" The suitors stop and look back at you before walking away from the beggar and returning to their eating and drinking. You call for a servant to retrieve the beggar and clean him up. Meanwhile, you feel tired and retreat to your chamber to rest. Old Eurycleia wakes you, telling you that the beggar has been cleaned up and is hoping to speak with you now. You agree, feeling a pang of guilt over the fact that, if you had agreed to wait, the beggar wouldn't have been hurt. However, it is not the time to dwell on that. You leave your chamber, going to sit by the hearth in your ivory chair. Your maids come and clear the wine cups, bread and the trestle boards left behind. They throw out the ashes of the hearth and light a new fire. You call for the housekeeper to prepare a bench with sheepskin for the guest. Said guest sits down, and you carefully begin to speak to him: //"Friend, let me ask you first of all: who are you, where do you come from, of what nation and parents were you born?"// He replies, asking you to not ask such questions for his heart is sore, and he wishes to not relive the pain of grieving. Once again, you ask for his ancestry, asking him to confide in you. This time, he answers your question, telling you he is from Krete. He recounts the greatness of his home, of the cities and diversity. He tells you of one of the towns, Knossos, the living place of King Minos. Here, he says he saw with his own eyes once Odysseus. The guest tells you he witnessed Odysseus being driven south by gales until he dropped an anchor and came ashore. He claims to have taken in Odysseus into his home for twelve days until the thirteenth day where the gales dropped and Odysseus returned to sea. You weep, unable to to tell if the man lies about this information. You speak once more, asking the guest for proof that he had truly hosted Odysseus. The guest carefully details the exactness of what Odysseus had worn- from his purple cloak to his golden brooch, and his shiny tunic. Hearing the details, in such vividness, though only partially true, you feel strangely moved, tears falling once more. You tell the guest that he has won your sympathy, deserving of being seen as a respected quest and friend. For a while longer, you continue to speak to him before calling for an old nurse to wash him. As she finishes up, you ask your guest one last question. Should you stay beside your son and protect what you have and honor your husband, or should you marry the noblest, most lavish suitor? You then tell him of your dream and the trial you will impose on the suitors. [[Finale -> Ending! Finally! Yipee!]] (cycling-link:"⟡"," Considering Penelope is a very compassionate and kind person, if she saw someone like the beggar being beaten up by the suitors. Trestle boards are similar to that of tables or desks. Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 356].")You grab at the tunics of the some of the suitors, pulling them back in an attempt to get them to stop attacking the beggar. The ones you pull off stop, standing around instead, while the others continue their onslaught. You try in vain to pull the rest off, but as you tug on one of their tunics, he turns around and swings at you. His fist connects with your face. You fall, your head hitting the ground with a painful //crack//. Instantly, there's a wet feeling surrounding the side of your head. There's a horrible pain in your head. Your vision begins to blur and your hearing becomes muffled. Above you, you can see Antinous holding the suitor by the front of his tunic. You can faintly hear yelling and can see Antinous pointing at you. He releases the suitor and swings at him. The suitor falls to the ground. Your eyes start to feel heavy and you can feel (cycling-link:"Thanatos","Greek god of death, not to be mistaken with Hades, the Greek god of the dead/underworld") pull your soul down. You close your eyes. [[Restart?-> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link:"⟡","In all honesty, Penelope probably would ever interfere in a situation like this, especially since she doesn't even know at this moment who the beggar is. Penelope is an extremely cautious character, she a skeptical person who takes in her situation before making a wise decision. Her actions in this passage feels somewhat wrong towards who she is canonically, but it isn't impossible that she'd try to help someone in trouble due to her kind nature, especially since the beggar is meant to be a guest in her house too."You are Homer, a blind poet from Ancient Greece born circa 800 BCE. After composing the (cycling-link:"epic", "a long poem with heroic or legendary figures"), the //Iliad//, you are now creating an epic called the //Odyssey//. In this story, you are detailing the tale Odysseus, the king of (cycling-link:"Ithaca", "the second smallest of the seven Ionian Islands, famous for its mention in the Odyssey"), as he attempts to return home to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, after the fall of Troy and the conclusion of the ten-year (cycling-link:"Trojan War","a conflict between the early Greeks and the people of Troy, dated by Greek authors to be during the 12th or 13th century BCE."). It has been seventeen years since Odysseus has been home, and Telemachus has gone to sea in search of information about his father. Thus, you are currently telling your story from the perspective of Penelope. As a poet, you embody your character whom you have portrayed as virtuous, loyal, clever, cautious, strategic, and a domestic mother. As Queen Penelope of Ithaca, in the absence of your husband, the king, you bear the responsibility of managing your home and dealing with immediate threats in the absence of Odysseus. You have just received news from Medon, the court herald, of the suitors' plans to kill your son, Telemachus, as he returns home. You are overwhelmed with fear that he too will be lost at sea, forgotten just as his father has been. You are terrified for your son's safety. What will you do? [[Weep in sorrow for your son's fate -> Cry]] [[Pray to the gods for your son's safety -> Pray]] (cycling-link:"⟡"," There will be two back-to-back passages detailing information in Homer's perspective to give the illusion of the bard currently composing the Odyssey, otherwise, the passages are meant to be from the perspective of the fictional character, Penelope. Passages in Homer's perspective should be easy to differentiate. The twine starts from book four the the Odyssey, which is when Penelope starts to interact more with other characters and have dialogue. Everything known about Homer is either traditional, mythical, or some kind of an educated guess. He was believed to be a blind bard, but it is not proven as factual. It is also unknown where Homer's place and year of birth is. //'Odyssey' In Epics for Students, 2nd ed., edited by Sara Constantakis, 485-514.Vol. 2. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2011. EPICS FOR STUDENTS TRIAL.// Ithaca Information: //Encyclopedia Britannica, T. Editors Of, ed. 'Ithaca.' Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed November 17, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/place/Ithaca-island-Greece.// Trojan War Information: //Encyclopedia Britannica, T. Editors Of, ed. 'Trojan War.' Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed November 15, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/event/Trojan-War.//") Clark. "Antinous in the Odyssey: The Suitor Who Died First." Classical Literature. Last modified January 11, 2022. Accessed September 22, 2024. https://ancient-literature.com/antinous-in-the-odyssey/. Encyclopedia Britannica, T. Editors Of, ed. "Ithaca." Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed November 17, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/place/Ithaca-island-Greece. ———, ed. "Trojan War." Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed November 15, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/event/Trojan-War. Ford, Andrew. "Terms Basic to the Story of the Odyssey." Reading Guides. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.princeton.edu/~aford/terms.html. Homer, Robert Fitzgerald, and D. S. Carne-Ross. The Odyssey. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998. Hypnos, God of Sleep. Anesthesiology 2013; 119:255 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0b013e3182a37c2f Kirk, Geoffrey S. "Homer." In Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., Last modified July 23, 2024. Accessed September 22, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Homer-Greek-poet. "Odyssey." In Epics for Students, 2nd ed., edited by Sara Constantakis, 485-514. Vol. 2. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2011. EPICS FOR STUDENTS TRIAL. Reece, Steve. "Penelope's 'Early Recognition' of Odysseus from a Neoanalytic and Oral Perspective." Literary Reference Source. Last modified April 1, 2011. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=2e124707-8030-306d-9dc5-d14c22715479. [[Go back ->Intro]] You rise from your bed and are greeted by the light smell of sea and roses. You stare at the sea wistfully, thinking of your son and Odysseus. Suddenly, you have an idea. You may be overstepping boundaries, asking too much, but perhaps if done right it will work. You retrieve the basket from yesterday and once again fill it with barley. However, this time you also fill it with roses. It is still early enough for the suitor to be slumbering. With the basket, you go down to the shore. Once there, you search for a handful of shells to add to the basket. You find some along the tide line and in some more secluded areas. You add them to your basket, completing your offering basket of barley, roses, and shells. You kneel down at the water's edge, in the slight sea foam ,and clasp your hands together in prayer. "Oh Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, daughter of Zeus and (cycling-link:"Dione","A titaness worshipped as a deity of water springs") , I pray to you for guidance and clarity. I ask for your help in bringing home my true love and happiness and in helping the man in my heart navigate his way back home. May your love and light guide my lord on his journey. I thank you, Aphrodite, for your gifts and your grace, and I honor you with all my heart. I beg of you to guide my husband back home into my arms." The waves start to churn slightly, creating more foam and rising the water past your knees. The scent of sea foam and roses intensifies and you close your eyes tight. You hear a faint sound of bird wings fluttering and you open your eyes. In front you stands the goddess Aphrodite. "Sweet Penelope, you who have remained loyal and strong for your love, I honor the depth of your head and the beauty of your devotion. But the path you seek for me to guide is not mine to pave. I hold no threads of fate for the journeys of warriors or the returns of sailors. Your husband, Odysseus, lays in the grasp of the seas' god, Poseidon. I may be too, part one of the sea, but no mortal nor even a goddess can defy the will of the vast seas." Your shoulders slump a bit, disheartened by her words, but she continues: "Love is one I know well, for I hold power over the desires of the heart. If I could, I would bring him back to you with my blessing. But these matters lie beyond me. I am able however, to go have Athena, who is better suited than me for these matters and who is also closely tied with your family to help Odysseus. You must continue to wait as you have, strong and patient. Let the (cycling-link:"fates","Three sisters who are the personifications of destiny") play out what they wish and trust that love, as it always does, will find its way home." The goddess disappears in the same way as she came and you sigh. Things did not go the way you intended, but you figured this outcome anyways. It didn't hurt to try though. You just need to hold out hope on Odysseus and he will come home to you. [[Contine ♡ -> Books five to sixteen]] (cycling-link: "⟡","Considering Homer's usage of having barley when Penelope goes and prays, I am assuming that barley is used Ancient Greek religious passages. Researching shows that barley was used in offerings, but in the form of drinks and such or only used in religious offerings for goddesses Persephone and Demeter. So I am unsure of as if barley could have been used as offerings to all gods or not. I choose to have this passage to in a way, play on Homer's words. In his words, Penelope's prayer refers to a child of Zeus, with him meaning Athena. However, not every reader is going to enter with the knowledge that Athena is close with Odysseus and Penelope in Homer's epics. And if you remove the dialogue from Eurycleia, telling Penelope to ask help from Athena, it gives the possibility that a different child of Zeus hears Penelope's prayer. However, it should be noted that in Homer's other epic, the Iliad, the Trojan War is said to be caused by Aphrodite. Meaning, she had sided with the Trojans instead of the Greeks which does make it unlikely she'd assist Penelope, a Greek. Not to mention, her husband, Odysseus is a Greek hero in the Trojan War. Either way, while that circumstance does not completely erase the possibility of Aphrodite acting on Penelope's prayer because she's a //goddess//, she still wouldn't in the end because Aphrodite is not fit to guide Odysseus home. Aphrodite is not associated with guiding heroic journeys like Athena is. Moreover, Aphrodite really doesn't have a reason to grant Penelope's request because she has nothing to gain from it. Gods' relationships with mortals are often and hugely defined by personal interests and/or allegiances which Aphrodite has neither with Odysseus. So really, Aphrodite would just simply not feel inclined to intervene so she'd just reject Penelope in a way that is nuanced by her domain of love. The use of shells, roses, and the sound of bird wings are significant as symbols of Aphrodite. Aphrodite's symbols include doves, seashells, and roses. Often in religious practices, even to this day, seashells and roses are using in offering to Aphrodite.") You watch as twelve axeheads are set up meticulously, the holes in the heads lined up evenly. You retrieve Odysseus' hunting bow and lay it out on a nearby table. The suitors enter, and you announce the trial: the man who can string the bow and shoot an arrow through the twelve axehead holes will win your hand in marriage. You watch, unsurprised, as each suitor struggles to string the bow. In the end, you take back the bow and stand on the balcony, towering over the suitors. "All of you have //failed//. You men are so foolish. You wish to compete for my hand yet you cannot string a simple hunting bow. You fail to string the bow of the man who has spent his life in battle, who has built this very home you stand in with his bare hands. How could you ever hope to replace the position once held by a man who has endured and overcome hardships your minds could never fathom, when you cannot even string a bow? What an absurdity." You take a breath, composing your thoughts on what to say. "You people are arrogant fools. You were all so confident, so sure of your place of victory- but look at you now. The gods have shown that you are all nothing compared to Odysseus. You will never replace him. You all really thought I'd choose one of you, who have never fought for my son or I, who are weak and foolish, over a man such as Odysseus? I have waited for years, I will wait longer. Leave. Leave while you still hold a shred of dignity." "You cannot do that, you cannot break the law of (cycling-link:"xenia", "the law/custom of offering protection and hospitality to strangers. Patron is Zeus xenios: 'Zeus the god who protects strangers.'")." Antinous spits. " //I// have broken xenia? Have you forgotten? You have disrespected the household of Odysseus. You have attacked his son, the Prince, and have even plotted to kill him. You have insulted me on multiple occasions and have wasted the riches of the King through your constant drinking and eating. You have broken xenia to such a horrid degree it is a wonder that Zeus has not striked you down yet. So leave. Leave before I call for the King of Gods to rid you." Antinous spits on the ground before taking the suitors and leaving. - You take a deep breath, trying to settle your racing heart, then release it. From the door way, you can hear the sound of light and quick footsteps. Your son enters the room and looks around frantically. He sees you and runs over. "Mother, mother, hurry. You must see something!" Telemachus says, grabbing your wrist and dragging you out of the room. You trip over yourself in your struggle to keep up. Telemachus brings you to out to the front gate where you see a figure stand in rags. It's the beggar. You're confused, and you look to your son unsure. The beggar holds up his hand in a motion of //wait// and he reaches up and removes his hood. It's Odysseus. ⟡ The music stops as your words stop. With this last scene, there is nothing left of your story, the //Odyssey//, to continue. You have finally brought it to fruition. The crowd gathered claps for you as you exhale. Another story finished. However, as a bard, you will continue to create. Just because you've finished one, it does not mean the end. You sit there, in the city square, watching as people go back to their errands. Somewhere, in the back of your mind, you hope that the Greeks will remember and tell your story. Perhaps one day, in the future your stories will be remembered and you will be remembered in history as Homer the Rhapsode, teller of the //Iliad// and //Odyssey//. [[The End-> Start]] [[The Bibliography ->Bibliography]] (cycling-link:"⟡"," Only the first paragraph is actually accurate to the Odyssey. This passage is plausible as even if Penelope were to have dismissed the beggar, a.k.a Odysseus, Telemachus would have brought Odysseus back to her anyways because Telemachus is aware that the beggar is Odysseus for much of Odyssey. Furthermore, when it comes to removing the suitors from the house, with or without the beggar Penelope would have enacted the trial anyways. Ford, Andrew. 'Terms Basic to the Story of the Odyssey.' Reading Guides. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.princeton.edu/~aford/terms.html. ")Unbeknownst to you, in the dark and shadowy hall below you, the suitors are boasting. They believe that you do not know their plan and that you are going to cave and marry one of them. (Cycling-link:"Antinous","a violent and overly-confident suitor who strives to take Odysseus' throne. He is one of the two most prominent suitors trying to get Penelope in marriage and leads the other suitors in the plan to kill Telemachus") quickly scolds them, and leads them to the shore where they prepare a ship for their plan. Meanwhile, now that you've finished your prayer, you are in your high chamber, silent, eating and drinking without tasting. Your thoughts are plagued with worry for your son, wondering: //Can he escape? Or will the suitors find and kill him?// Your thoughts twist and turn like a fearful animal up until sleep overtakes you. In your dreams, a dim phantom appears and speaks to you: //"Sleepest thou, sorrowing Penelope?"// Pensively, while unaware that you are still resting in (cycling-link: "Hypnos'","Greek god of Sleep") domain, you reply to her: //"Sister, hast thou come hither? Why? (cycling-link: "Aforetime", "Formerly") never wouldst come, so far away thy dwelling. And am I bid be done with all my grieving? But see what anguish hath my heart and soul!"// The phantom that is your sister speaks: //"Lift up thy heart, and fear not overmuch. For by his side one goes whom all men else invoke as their defender, one so powerful- Hermês Argeiphontês; in thy tears he pitied thee and now hath sent me that I so assure thee."// You then ask for the fate of Odysseus. He is alive? Has he gone to death in the Underworld? You wake from the dream, the dim phantom ending her visit, telling you she cannot tell you what has become of your husband. At the very least, your heart feels lighter now, in acknowledgement and relief that your prayer has been heard. [[Continue on -> Your package has been lost in transit. Whoops we'll fix that]] (cycling-link: "⟡"," The first paragraph is definitely out of second point of view. Although telling audience directly of the information they'd either need to pick up on or should not be directely given is generally not a good idea, due to the fact it is very unlikely the player would have ever read the Odyssey, important information outside of Penelope's perspective is given. Considering Homer's usage of having barley when Penelope goes and prays, I am assuming that barley is used Ancient Greek religious passages. Researching shows that barley was used in offerings, but in the form of drinks and such or only used in religious offerings for goddesses Persephone and Demeter. So I am unsure of as if barley could have been used as offerings to all gods or not. I choose to have this passage to in a way, play on Homer's words. In his words, Penelope's prayer refers to a child of Zeus, with him meaning Athena. However, not every reader is going to enter with the knowledge that Athena is close with Odysseus and Penelope in Homer's epics. And if you remove the dialogue from Eurycleia, telling Penelope to ask help from Athena, it gives the possibility that a different child of Zeus hears Penelope's prayer. The Greek Underworld refers to the domain of the Greek god of the dead, Hades. Compared to other faiths such as Christianity, the Underworld is not seen as a place of Purgatory or Hell; it is simply a realm where the souls of the dead go. Antinous information //Clark. 'Antinous in the Odyssey: The Suitor Who Died First.' Classical Literature. Last modified January 11, 2022. Accessed September 22, 2024. https://ancient-literature.com/antinous-in-the-odyssey/. // Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Fitzgerald, and Carne-Ross, The Odyssey, [Page 76-77].//")You rise from your bed and are greeted by the light smell of incense and strawberries. You stare at the sea wistfully, thinking of your son and Odysseus. Suddenly, you have an idea. You may be overstepping boundaries, asking too much, but perhaps if done right, it will work. You retrieve the basket from yesterday, once again filling it with barley. However, this time you also fill it with honey, wine, and a few sticks of incense. Currently, it is early enough for the suitors to still be slumbering. With the basket, you go back up to the upper chambers to pray. You set down the basket of barley, honey, and wine and light the incense. You clasp your hands together in prayer. "Hear me, O' Quick Hermes, Heart-Delighting Messenger, god of travellers, of crossroads, clever god of luck and fortune, I praise and admire you. In each coin that passes through my hands, I find you. Down winding paths, I hope to follow you. In twinkling eyes of mischief, sneaky smiles and knowing gazes, I see you. If life is a journey, then you are the guide. Great Shepherd of Souls, please direct my lord. No matter where in this world my husband passes, whichever path his feet may follow, I trust in your guidance completely that he will come back. I beg of you to guide my husband back home swift and safely." The smoke and smell of the incense thickens, making your eyes water. You close your eyes tight and shallow breaths to block out the strong smell. You hear a quiet fluttering sound and the soft sound of feet lightly reaching the ground. You open your eyes. In front of you stands the god Hermes. "Wise and patient Penelope, your heart's endurance and faith in your husband's return has not gone unnoticed by the gods. I have heard your plea and understand the hardships that weighs on you. However, know that Odysseus' journey has been one of fate and strife, woven by the (cycling-link:"fates","three sisters who are the personifications of destiny") themselves. While I can aid in guiding the steps Odysseus takes and though I can move between realms, my power cannot undo what is set in motion. Yet I will not let your plea end as that. I will speak with the gods, perhaps with Zeus, and even Poseidon, whose wrath has proven a burden to your husband. Furthermore I will speak with Athena, the goddess who holds close ties to your household and have her aid Odysseus' journey home. I will help him overcome the dangers that lie ahead, as I once did when he faced the witch Circe and her magic. As you have remained steadfast for him, as will I in assisting him." Hermes gives you a reassuring smile, one that exudes both confidence and understanding. "Now run along, mortal queen. Tend to your duties and trust in me that I will speak with the gods on your behalf. I will carry your request to the heavens and in time, your husband will return to you, though the road may be long and arduous." Hermes gently nods to you, preparing to leave. The wings on his sandals flutter and as he came quickly, he leaves the same. [[Continue ✶ -> Books five to sixteen]] (cycling-link: "⟡", "I believe that it would be pretty likely that Hermes would hear and act on Penelope's plea as Hermes already holds ties with Odysseus and considering that he is the god of travellers. As mentioned in Hermes' words, he had already helped Odysseus once, when he gave Odysseus a magical herb called 'moly' that helped ward against Circe's magic, so he would most likely help again if asked. The use of honey, wine, incense, and the sound of fluttering are significant as symbols of Aphrodite. The sound of fluttering is the wings on Hermes' winged sandals. Honey, wine, and incense are often in religious practices, even to this day, in offering to Hermes.") You fill a basket with barley and lead your maids to the upper rooms of the castle to pray to which ever gods will listen to you. //"Tireless child of Zeus, graciously hear me! If ever Odysseus burned at our altar fire thighbones of beef or mutton in sacrifice, remember it for my sake! Save my son! Shield him, and make the killers go astray!"// You end the prayer with a cry. Now that you've finished praying, you feel the exhaustion of pouring out your emotions and retreat to your chamber, lying in bed numbly as you worry for your son. (either:"[[Athena hears your prayer -> End of Book 4]]", "[[Hermes hears your prayer -> Hermes]]","[[Aphrodite hears your prayer -> Aphrodite]]") (cycling-link: "⟡"," Often, for the sake of keeping players from getting bored, dialogue will be summarized, with direct quotation used if determined to be important to the storytelling factors of the twine. Words in italics are taken directly from //Homer, Robert Fitzgerald, and D. S. Carne-Ross, The Odyssey (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998), [Page 75]//")