Penelope

Cast of Characters

Penelope

Odysseus: Husband of Penelope

Hera as Pontonous

Scene: Penelope and Odysseus’ quarters, Penelope goes to sit down on their marital bed.

Penelope:

At long last Ithaca is returning to its glory.

My husband, wise Odysseus has made it home,

To my son and I, defeating the scheming suitors;

and freeing us from the terror they brought on this hall.

I had always had faith in his return,

nothing could have stopped wily Odysseus,

from accomplishing his goal of returning to his family.

I knew that if I had given in to the demands

of those brutish men, Ithaca would fall.

I stayed faithful despite the danger it put me in

just as Odysseus stayed faithful in his journey.

I remember something an old maid once said to me.

“There is no greater security than this in all the world:

When a wife does not oppose her husband.”

I protected this throne; not with weapons,

but with the wit, I was blessed with by the heavens.

(Enter one of the remaining slave girls, bowing her head as she enters)

Servant Girl:

My esteemed lady, a guest has entered your hall

and your husband is with Laertes in the groves.

Telemachus is in the city doing his father’s will.

There is no one to greet this guest besides you my lady,

and I do not think we should keep him long.

Penelope:

Have you given this traveler anything to eat?

Do so, as I ready myself to come down.

Give him the best seat in our empty hall,

and pour him a cup of wine to quench his thirst.

Servant Girl:

I will do so at once.

(The servant girl leaves, head bowed.)

Penelope:

I wonder who this guest could be.

What could they want?

A traveler, or a harbinger?

We shall see.

(Penelope exits stage right.)

Scene: A man sits at an empty table, to the right of the head of the table, although it lies empty.

Penelope:

Greetings traveler!

I hope my slaves have treated you well.

Guest:

They treat me well.

My cup overflows and my belly is full.

Blessings to you from Hera,

I hear your husband has made it home.

Penelope:

Odysseus has made it home from Troy at long last,

so many years at sea, and so many dead.

He saved Ithaca from usurpers and conspirers.

Guest:

Your suitors.

Penelope:

Yes.

Guest:

They have some nerve to come into your husband’s home

thinking that they had a right to you.

Although that is most men.

Penelope:

You speak so assuredly,

who are you, traveler?

What business do you have here?

Guest:

You may call me Pontonous.

Your husband regaled many of his… adventures

while journeying home.

He was not on the sea the whole time,

he would not survived without the grace of many.

Penelope:

Thank you for showing that kindness.

Pontonous:

I did no such thing.

I was just a cupbearer listening to tales;

and conquests.

How much has he told you,

faithful Penelope?

Penelope:

He has not explained all.

He does not trouble me with such things,

and I find myself happy he is home.

Pontonous:

Are you happy he is home,

or are you happy you no longer must deal with his affairs?

Penelope:

His affairs?

I would watch your mouth.

Pontonous:

I mean no harm.

I meant his duties,

the ruling of Ithaca.

Although, does that not make you wonder?

Penelope:

I have faith in him as he had faith in me.

I do not dignify such things with worry.

You forget yourself, sir, to insinuate this.

Pontonous:

I insinuate nothing.

I heard it from the trickster’s mouth,

Loosed from his lips with the wine I supplied,

in the hall of Alcinous.

Penelope:

You lie.

Pontonous:

You mistake me for your husband.

Penelope:

God-like Odysseus will cut you down once he returns,

I will see to it myself.

Pontonous:

Ask him where he found his comfort,

On that long journey home to Ithaca.

Penelope:

Leave.

Pontonous:

As you wish.

When I finish my meal.

I have a long journey home.

(Penelope rushes to exit stage right, and Pontonous finishes the last of his cup. Pontonous walks past a pillar, and white-armed Hera emerges instead. She looks toward where Penelope exited and gives a sure nod. She exits stage left.)

Scene: Penelope circles her marital bed, an axe lies by the bed. Odysseus enters.

Odysseus:

Penelope, the slaves say you have isolated yourself.

Are you well?

Penelope:

I am well. Just shrouded in thought.

Odysseus:

What plagues your mind?

Maybe I can cure your ailment.

Penelope:

We had a guest today who said he knew you;

from your travel home.

Odysseus:

I did meet many on my journey.

Did he give you a name?

Penelope:

Pontonous.

Odysseus:

Ah! The cupbearer!

He supplied me with the best wine

of King Alcinous’ stores.

Why has he caused worry?

Penelope:

Who did you find comfort in?

While you were away?

Odysseus:

My comrades and I found comfort in many ways.

Wine and food, sleep when we could get it.

Penelope:

I know you wily Odysseus,

I asked who.

Odysseus:

Does it matter?

Penelope:

You are known for many things, husband.

Your bravery and wit, your strength.

You are not the only one known for intelligence,

but many know me for my loyalty.

I would have expected the same from my husband.

(Penelope brandishes the axe, too heavy for someone so inexperienced.)

Odysseus:

You think you can kill me?

You needed me to save you.

Do not expect you can defeat me,

with a blade, you can barely hold.

Penelope:

No, to defeat God-like Odysseus is nigh impossible.

This weapon is not for you.

(Penelope brings the axe down on the bed, three times before it cracks.)

Find your comfort in someone else.

(She drops the weapon and exits, leaving Odysseus staring at their marital bed.)