In Book 1 of The Odyssey by Emily Wilson, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, displays great acts of leadership. During Book 1, we are introduced to Telemachus, son of Penelope and Odysseus. Him and his mother are currently alone fending for their kingdom in Ithaca while Odysseus is away on his long journey. While he is gone, suitors begin to flee their kingdom and Penelope must step up, as she is the only parent standing. In these few scenes, the suitors take over and attempt to convince Penelope to marry another due to Odysseus’ return not being known. They tell her that there is no chance of Odysseus making a return back home after his journey, and that she should marry somebody else instead because her marriage with Odyssus would be pointless. Penelope, the loyal significant she is to Odysseus, refuses everybody. She is in shambles without Odysseus by her side, so she must do the courageous thing and step up for not only their kingdom, but for their son, Telemachus as well. Overall, Penelope shows her greatest signs of leadership by staying hopeful and woke for Odysseus’ return. Within Odysseus’ long 20 years being away from his wife, Penelope never became doubtful of his return and remained consistent in her hope for him coming home. 

“Stop, please Phemius! You know so many songs, enchanting tales of things that gods and men have done, the deeds that singers publicize. Sing something else, and let them drink in peace. Stop this upsetting song that always breaks my heart, so I can hardly bear my grief. I miss him all the time—that man, my husband,whose story is so famous throughout Greece” (1.336-344). This quote shows Penelope grieving for her husband and his absence, in which she can not take it anymore that her husband is away. She was fulfilled with anger, distress, and sadness. Through her grief, she is continuously honest about her emotions that correlate back with her husband. This was a brave act of Penelope, as she stands up for herself and for her family against the suitors. As emotional and upset as Penelope is for her husband’s absence, she has the courage to step up and defend herself from misery from the suitors. This shows an act of leadership because without her husband at the kingdom to comfort her, Penelope now has to comfort herself. Even as distraught and broken down she is, she still expresses her feelings after everything. As a female during this time, they are looked down upon as people with less power than males. Even though it is not specifically specified through the book, it is assumed that the suitors think they have enough power and persuasion to overcome Penelope’s strong feelings towards her husband to drop him for them. They had maybe assumed that it wouldn’t be as difficult trying to win her over, but throughout the book, it is evident she stays strong and shows lots of leadership taking over her kingdom while Odysseus is gone. 

Book 1 of The Odyssey overall shows how Penelope stepped up after her husband’s absence over their kingdom. While suitors began to out number her and her son, Telemachus, she continues to not only feel sad for her husband’s absence, but also feel strong and powerful for standing up to those who are trying to take over. Without her husband by her side, she has no choice but to take charge of her people and to establish dominance during this time without Odysseus.