Feminist Retelling of a Greek Myth: Reclaiming the Voice of Penelope

Abstract

Rewriting classical myths from a feminist perspective has gained much popularity lately. Since female characters in literature, especially in mythologies, have either been silenced or largely misrepresented, many contemporary writers seek to adapt well-known stories to depict modern concerns and to challenge the prevailing stereotypical representation of women by advocating a feminist ideology that rejects patriarchal bias. One very successful example of such an attempt is Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad (2007). In this novella, Penelope reclaims her voice to narrate her version of the famous Odyssey. By questioning gender roles and class differences, this retelling connects its ancient storyline with contemporary themes and cultural debates. This article aims to demonstrate how such feminist retellings enable women to assert themselves and support the aim of just and equal treatment in society, culture, and literature. Moreover, it illustrates the enduring importance of myths and argues that feminist revisions can change the patriarchal nature of the literary canon.