Female Loyalty

Chapter 4 examines the principle of loyalty. The chapter focuses on the loyalty demonstrated by Penelope and Eurykleia and how it affects the immediate οἶκος and the prime νόστος. Their loyalty takes the form of deception, resistance and also aid to Telemachos and Odysseus. The principle of loyalty is shown by their actions to be a co-operative one as it requires the agent figure to benefit another figure in the epic. Penelope is praised by Agamemnon for her loyalty, thereby showing that other figures may judge a female figure by this principle. The antithesis of female loyalty is also examined through analysis of the actions of Klytaimnestra, the maids, Helen (with regard to what she says about herself) and the heroines in the Underworld. What other figures relate about the actions of female figures who are disloyal is also discussed. Odysseus’ story (μῦθος) of the heroines in the Underworld, told to Arete, acts as a reinforcement to another female figure of the qualities of female loyalty. Without female loyalty, Odysseus’ νόστος and the reclaiming of his οἶκος would not happen. This leads to the conclusion that the principle is vital to the success of the prime hero.