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Do you think it is hypocritical of Odysseus to have expected faithfulness from Penelope when he was not faithful during his absence? Why or why not?
The most thoughtful answers will consider the whole picture here. While this is a consciously feminist text, there is nuance to Odyseseus' situation. His behavior is hypocritical in that he said he’d kill Penelope if she ever cheated on him. This is a dangerous form of sexism, one that is less accepted today but not eradicated. Loyalty in a relationship is a two-way street, unless pre-agreed upon by the couple. On the other hand, it's unclear whether Odysseus cheated because he wanted to or because it was a matter of...
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