Why does Penelope test Odysseus?

Question

Homer The Odysseus

Answer 1

She says she doesn't trust anything she sees anymore because the gods were cruel.

"It is some god who is angry with the suitors for their great wickedness, and has made an end of them; for they respected no man in the whole world, neither rich nor poor, who came near them, who came near them, and they have come to a bad end in consequence of their iniquity. Ulysses is dead far away from the Achaean land; he will never return home again."

Answer 2

Two reasons come to mind: 1. he's been gone a long time and his appearance has been changed; and 2. the suiters there are not going to just give up and leave now that Odysseue is home; he's been gone for 20 years, which brings into question his rightful claim to Penelope. So a test must determine whether or not he still has what it takes; not because Penelope is concerned about this, but because she is concerned how the men will respond if she just sends them away. Remember, she already tried to do this to no effect. So a competition settles it and the Greeks loved a good competition.

Answer 3

Homer's tale is as much about the nimble and dextrous capabilities of Odysseus as it is a story of his journey home. Each test that Odysseus passes reinforces the heroic quality of his character, and in turn, the admirable qualities of the Goddess Athena whose champion he is. It's kinda like a Bond film; the more danger he is put in, the more 'heroic' he seems when he escapes. Also, the tests his family puts him through, like his other tests, become demonstrations of his fitness to maintain that role. The ability to string the bow and fire an arrow through five rings, for example, demonstrates his ability to wield it responsibly and ably.

Answer 4

Because she did not know, it was Odysseus. He came to his home dressed as a beggar, that plus 20 years him being gone.

Answer 5

Because so many people have impersonated being him that she wasn't sure if it was him and they both shared one secret (the bed) which was how she really knew it was him (Remember Odysseus hade been gone for years)

Answer 6

By his feet because Athena had disguised him but then in the bed she knew for sure. Guess 19 years is a long time to go celibate ate

Answer 7

So she knew that he was realy Odysseus, and so that she knew that he still loved her and came back for her.

Answer 8

Should ounot read the poem. You will get the answer there. It is ette to get them yourself instead of getting them form other people

Answer 9

He'd been gone 20 years, and I'd imagine she wanted to make sure he was the real thing.

Answer 10

to know did he study well this year or not