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The Penelopiad

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description The Penelopiad Overview

The Penelopiad is a 2005 novella by Canadian author Margaret Atwood that offers a feminist retelling of Homer's Odyssey. The narrative is presented from the perspective of Penelope, who reflects on her life and the events of the Trojan War from the underworld of Hades. Distinguishing the book is the inclusion of the twelve executed maids, who act as a recurring Greek chorus through poetry, songs, and courtroom drama to challenge the original myth's narrative. It was commissioned as part of the Canongate Myth Series.

help The Penelopiad FAQ

What is the plot of Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad?

The novella retells the events of Homer's Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, who is narrating her story from the underworld. She offers a cynical, modern critique of her husband Odysseus and the patriarchal society of ancient Greece.

Who are the twelve maids in The Penelopiad?

The twelve executed maids serve as a recurring Greek chorus throughout the book, constantly interrupting Penelope's narrative to tell their side of the story. They represent the handmaids who were unjustly hanged by Telemachus in the original epic poem.

What genre is Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad?

It is a mythological retelling published in 2005 as part of the Canongate Myth Series, which features prominent authors rewriting classic myths. The narrative blends elements of an epistolary novel, a theatrical chorus, and a ghost story.

Why did Margaret Atwood write The Penelopiad?

Atwood wrote the novella to give a voice to the female characters who were marginalized or silenced in classical literature. By shifting the focus to Penelope and the maids, she highlights the class and gender inequalities of ancient Greek myths.

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