Carol Ann Duffy’s "Penelope"

Introduction 

Carol Ann Duffy’s poem "Penelope" is a reimagining of the mythological figure Penelope, wife of Odysseus, and offers a fresh perspective on her story. In Homer’s "Odyssey", Penelope is the epitome of loyalty and patience, waiting twenty years for her husband’s return from the Trojan War. Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, however, transforms Penelope into a more complex and self-sufficient character, highlighting her journey from dependence and longing to self-empowerment and creativity.

The Transformation of Waiting

The poem begins with Penelope in a familiar state of yearning, "hoping to see him saunter home," symbolizing her initial role as the dutiful wife waiting for her husband's return. This image evokes the traditional understanding of Penelope—faithful, enduring, and passive in her devotion. Her anticipation is so consuming that it defines her daily life, even affecting the dog who mourns alongside her. The repetition of waiting is reflected in the dog’s “warm head” on her knees, an image of stasis and stillness.

However, the poem quickly shifts focus as Penelope realizes that "whole days had passed / without my noticing." This marks the beginning of her transformation. Duffy suggests that time has subtly begun to erode Penelope’s singular focus on her absent husband, allowing her to find solace and eventually empowerment in her own creative endeavors.

The Act of Creation

Penelope’s decision to "sort cloth and scissors, needle, thread" starts as a mere distraction but soon evolves into a "lifetime's industry." The poem presents sewing not just as a pastime but as a profound act of creation. Through her embroidery, Penelope constructs a new world, one where she can express her desires, memories, and emotions. The imagery of her sewing is rich and evocative, filled with vibrant colors and dynamic scenes. The girl chasing a "bouncing ball," the "snapdragon gargling a bee," and the "maiden in a deep embrace" are all expressions of life and vitality, contrasting sharply with her earlier passive waiting.

This act of creation also becomes a form of self-discovery. As Penelope sews, she begins to lose herself "completely / in a wild embroidery of love, lust, lessons learnt." The phrase "wild embroidery" suggests a departure from the orderly and controlled, indicating that Penelope is exploring parts of herself that were previously dormant or suppressed. The mention of "love, lust, lessons learnt" hints at a more complex understanding of her experiences and emotions, far beyond the simple narrative of the waiting wife.

Defiance and Self-Sufficiency

Duffy further subverts the traditional narrative by portraying Penelope as a woman who eventually finds contentment and self-sufficiency in her own world. When other suitors come to disturb her, she "played for time," unpicking her work each night, an act of both defiance and control. This action, taken directly from the original myth, is reinterpreted here as Penelope's way of maintaining her autonomy and protecting the life she has built for herself in her husband's absence.

The imagery of the moon "starting to fray" and the river that "would never reach the sea" reinforces the idea of incompleteness and suspension, but this time on Penelope's own terms. She is no longer the passive figure but an active creator, deciding what parts of her world to construct or unravel.

The Rejection of the Past

The climax of the poem occurs when Penelope hears the "far-too-late familiar tread" of her husband returning. Rather than rushing to greet him, she "licked [her] scarlet thread" and aimed it at the needle’s eye once more, a deliberate and almost indifferent action. The color "scarlet" symbolizes passion, but here it is directed not towards her husband but towards her own craft. This final image suggests that Penelope has moved beyond her role as Odysseus’s wife; she has found fulfillment in her own creation, her own life.

The last line is particularly significant: "most certainly not waiting." This declaration cements Penelope’s transformation. She is no longer defined by her husband or her waiting for him. Instead, she is a self-contained, autonomous individual, "absorbed, content," in her own right.

Conclusion

Carol Ann Duffy’s "Penelope" is a powerful reimagining of a classic myth, portraying Penelope not as a passive, loyal wife, but as a creative, self-sufficient woman who finds fulfillment in her own world. Through vivid imagery and a shift in perspective, Duffy transforms Penelope’s waiting into an act of defiance and self-discovery. The poem celebrates the power of creativity and the importance of self-empowerment, offering a modern and feminist interpretation of a timeless story.