to her defense of her patriarchal heritage is the defense of her husband's reputation. She protects her husband's position by never compromising to marry the many suitors until the hour she finishes the web-when Telemachos grows up to govern:"Young men, my suitors now that the great Odysseus has perished, wait, though you are anger to marry me, until I finish this web..." (Book II line 96-98)She indirectly keeps Odysseus power and authority alive since is not that powerful she is holding out.In public statements she repeatedly boasts her husbands' fame:"** so dear a head do I long whenever I am reminded of my husband, whose fame goes through Hellas and midmost Argos." (book I line 343-345)Also she says in book IV line 724 "... I lost a husband with a heart of a lion and who among Danaans surpassed in all virtues..." In this was Penelope reinforces the authority of Odysseus and keeps his reputation great.Penelope is able to keep the palace in order too. She still maintains the system of philoxenia, however is a response to the will of the gods which she respects and is faithful to.Her network of communication also remains strong a d efficient under circumstances. Even though she is physically isolated from the outside activity she had reliable and faithful messenger service especially from Medon, Dolios and Eurykleia. They keep her formed on the conspiracies of the suitors and provide information about Telemachos and Odysseus. For example, she receives word from Medon:"... Now they are minded to kill Telemachos with sharp bronze on his way home." Book IV line 700Right away Penelope directs another messenger to spread the word to the appropriate authorities.Before the eyes of the gods, Penelope never wishes to tarnish her reputation either. She honors them regularly in a ritual of bathing, anointing herself and her handmaidens with olive oil, saying prayers and sometimes making sacrifices. From all the above we see that Penelope ...
