Penelope Earrings - Genesis of a Heroine

The heroine of this story, Penelope, is a woman of great intelligence and cunning, constantly demonstrating her resourcefulness as well as her compassionate and caring nature.

 MATERIAL

Freshwater pearls, hematites, gold filled.

 STORY

Penelope was the captivating queen of Ithaca, famous for her unwavering loyalty, intelligence, and cunning. She was the wife of Odysseus, and the mother of their son, Telemachus.

As her husband is away at war, she faces the daunting challenge of fending off a horde of suitors who seek her hand in marriage  - and the throne - assuming Odysseus is dead. Lacking the natural, social, and familial protections to get rid off the suitors, Penelope displays remarkable cunning, resilience and determination. She is a skilled weaver, and she uses her talents to deceive the suitors, by promising to choose a new husband once she finishes weaving a shroud for Odysseus’ father, Laertes. Each night, she secretly unravels the shroud, thus buying more time for Odysseus to return.

Penelope's weaving skills are not only a means of deception, but also a symbol of her intelligence and resourcefulness. A devoted wife and mother, and at the same time a complex and multi-dimensional heroine, she displays a wry sense of destiny, weaving her plots as deftly as she weaves a garment. Not only was she an influential figure in the epic narrative, she was also a symbol of the ideal Greek wife. In addition to her loyalty and intelligence, Penelope was a compassionate and caring mother. She raised her son, Telemachus, to be a strong and capable young man, despite of the challenges they faced.

Penelope's story is a testament to the power of women in a patriarchal society, who use their skills and wit to overcome adversity and protect their loved ones.