Penelope

Penelope is Helen's (and therefore also Clytemnestra's) cousin, and Odysseus was originally one of Helen's suitors.  Odysseus uses his superior wisdom to solve the potential conflict over Helen's hand by convincing Helen's father, Tyndareus*, that all the suitors most vow to protect whichever man Helen chooses.  Helen chooses Menelaus.  For this wise counsel, Tyndareus arranges Odysseus' marriage to his niece, Penelope. 

Unfortunately, this vow to protect Helen's husband is also what forces all these suitors to eventually, reluctantly, support Menelaus' war against the Trojans. Thus: the Iliad.

Why does Odysseus forsake Calypso, a goddess who offers him immortality, for this woman?  In what ways are Penelope and Odysseus at core the same, and equals?

In contrast to all the other relationships between women and men in both The Iliad and The Odyssey, what does this relationship teach us about true love?

Why does Athena inspire her with the idea of the archery challenge?

What clues suggest that Penelope actually recognizes Odysseus?

Also see Ainos

Penelope.  The Vatican, Rome.  Roman copy of Greek original.

Olive tree of Vouves, Crete: between 2,000-3,000 years old

* According to the myth, Zeus, in the form of a swan, is actually Helen's father.