Nancy Felson-Rubin on Penelope: Study Questions

 

 

1.     How does Felson-Rubin use standard plots or story-patterns to analyze Penelope in the Odyssey?

 

2.     What plots are available for Penelope from the male point of view?

 

3.     What plots are available to her from her own point of view?

 

4.     Who keeps secrets from Penelope?

 

5.     What is the importance of Penelope's role as mother of Telemachus?

 

6.     How does Penelope take charge of her destiny?

 

7.     What does Melantho represent for Penelope and Odysseus?

 

8.     Why does Penelope set up the contest of the bow?

 

9.     What do the examples of Helen and Clytemnestra represent for Penelope?

 

10. How is Penelope suited to Odysseus?

 

11. In what sense does Felson-Rubin speak of Penelope as a weaver?