{"product_id":"penelope-and-her-maids-1","title":"Penelope and Her Maids","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePenelope and Her Maids\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e reconsiders the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e from Penelope's point of view.\u003c\/b\u003e Her decisions have long been considered to be the product of a fractured characterization, with no coherent human psychology possibly explaining everything she says and does. Emily Shanahan investigates this characterization, and all of Penelope's decisions, in context, reading each one of her scenes diachronically. In doing so, \u003ci\u003ePenelope and Her Maids\u003c\/i\u003e reveals how the pervasive threat of gendered violence in homeric society – a rape culture – constrains what Penelope may say and do openly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe suitors attempt to fill a power vacuum in Odysseus's absence – by either marrying his wife, Penelope, or alternatively, diminishing his honor, \u003ci\u003egeras\u003c\/i\u003e, which includes the value of his possessions. As Penelope is an asset in his ledger, the only way to stay safe is to lead the suitors to believe she may become theirs at any moment. Penelope ultimately survives the \u003ci\u003eOdyssey's\u003c\/i\u003e violence. However, twelve young, enslaved girls in her home do not and ultimately demonstrate the inherent danger that men pose to women in Homer's world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cornell University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Product","offer_id":57376799064408,"sku":"9781501789380","price":128.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/penelope-and-her-maids-1","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}