Penelope was the paragon of marital devotion and fidelity. Penelope showed us exactly of how women's character was to be played out. They were beautiful, intelligent, and submissive to their husbands and/or other men. The fact that Homer continuously mentions Penelope's beauty shows us that this feature was expected of a woman. A quality in which Penelope was blessed with. At the beginning, Homer introduces us to Penelope saying this: "She came, then, down the long stairs of her house, this beautiful lady," (Odyssey. 1.233). In every scene that the she performs, Homer states of her beauty. .
Intelligence is shown to us by Penelope all throughout the books. For example Penelope says she will marry again once her sewing is complete, but every night she unwinds it, she is able to fool the suitors to avoid an unwanted marriage. .
The women role of submissiveness is shown when the suitors arrived for Penelope. Despite her unwillingness to choose a new husband she remained obedient to them. Showing them much generosity as Homer states, "Attendants poured water over their fingers, while the maids piled baskets full of brown loaves near at hand, and houseboys brimmed the bowls with wine." (Odyssey 229) Her submissiveness to her husband is widely shown throughout the book. Penelope continues to remain devoted to him and only him. The Odyssey seems to be the product a society in which the dominant role was played by the men. The Odyssey has shown women in subservient roles. Many of these characteristics are still valued in the women of today, now whether or not the women of today adhere to them is a different story. I think many of the women of today's society want to be beautiful, and intelligent, but it is not as highly expected of them to do so.