Penelope

Penelope came down to question the visitor for news of her husband. She confessed to having used deceit to avoid marrying the suitors. She said that she would only remarry when she had finished weaving a shroud for Odysseus’ father, Laertes. She had made this task last for three years, unpicking at night what she sewed by day. The beggar told her that he had fought at Troy, and had seen Odysseus. Tears flowed down her cheeks, but Odysseus managed with an effort to hold his own emotions in check.