In Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster adaptation, The Odyssey, Penelope is far from the passive figure of myth who simply waits for her husband. While she does not engage in physical combat with Cyclops, Sirens, or murderous Laestrygonians, the wife of Odysseus faces immense dangers of her own. Back home in Ithaca, she must guard the throne from various nefarious schemers, including Robert Pattinson’s cunning Antinous, while awaiting the return of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, who is still years away from his long-delayed journey home.
An Active and Fierce Partner
For Anne Hathaway, Penelope is a character of profound depth and strength. She rejects the notion that Penelope is merely sitting quietly in wait. Instead, Hathaway describes her as an active, ride-or-die partner. She notes that she did not want the character to act out of a simple sense of duty, but rather because she loves Odysseus with her entire fiery soul. This perspective gives the character a dangerous edge, showing that she is as much a protector of their home as he is a hero abroad.
The Art of Subterfuge
A key part of Penelope’s survival strategy involves a clever bit of deception. She works on a shroud at her loom, promising that she will choose a suitor to marry once it is complete, only to secretly unpick her progress every night to buy more time. Hathaway admitted that learning the ancient art of weaving was an interesting challenge, as she is not typically known for craft work. With the help of an on-set teacher, she practiced on both makeshift and full-sized looms until the movements became rhythmic. By the time filming began, she felt comfortable with the kit, laughing that any minor imperfections in the work were perfectly acceptable, as her character had to unpick the fabric every single night anyway.
