Separation and temptation are forces that can destroy even a strong marriage like the marriage between the hero of The Odyssey, Odysseus, and his wife, Penelope. Odysseus and Penelope love each other greatly, but after twenty years of separation and suffering, it is very tempting for Odysseus and Penelope to do whatever it takes to end the suffering. Putting these forces into play, Homer uses Penelope and Odysseus to demonstrate that even a marriage founded on the profoundest loyalty requires courage and intelligence. For if without courage and intelligence, Odysseus would have the inability to hold a foundation of emotional courage, and Penelope would have the inability to be faithful to her husband.

While both possess physical and emotional courage, Penelope's emotional courage is stronger and more consistent than Odysseus's. Penelope and Odysseus face starkly different challenges. While Penelope resists the suitors' demands for marriage, Odysseus struggles to...