The Odyssey Essay

Jacks 3
It is this mistrust of all females that Agamemnon told Odysseus about. Odysseus
listened to what Agamemnon said, and he used it when he was about to slaughter the
suitors. Breaking trust is the main reason why Clytemnestra has tainted the blood of
womankind. Agamemnon had trusted his wife so blindly that he didn’t see his own
downfall coming. He expected his wife to come give him a bath and feast, and for
Clytemnestra to be happy that he came home and remain the loyal and faithful spouse
that she was supposed to be. By trusting his wife, he must have realized what was his
downfall was. When Clytemnestra killed him, he had completely lost his trust for her and
viewed every woman the same way as Clytemnestra, that they were devoid of honesty
and were devious in their hearts.
On the other hand, although Odysseus did trust his wife, he still had to test her to
prove that she was trustworthy. Trust had to be earned and not given, and while he
believed in her faithfulness he was cautious to test it. Agamemnon gave Clytemnestra his
trust even though she did not earn it. Therefore, it was Agamemnon’s own misjudgment
and failing that led to Clytemnestra’s downfall. Penelope had earned Odysseus’s trust.
She was not only faithful, but she was kind. She treated everyone as her equal, as it was
in the case when Odysseus pretended to be a beggar. Penelope had seen how the suitors
treated the disguised Odysseus, and she could not see him being treated badly. Because
Penelope could not tolerate cruelty in her kingdom to people below her status, Odysseus
came to her instead of her maids. She treated him kindly by bathing him. After the
meeting, Odysseus turned to her and said:
“Before that crew can handle that polished bow, string it taut and shoot through
the axes Odysseus man of exploits will be home with you!” (Homer p.409)
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