What does Margaret Atwood think of Odysseus, as reflected in her writings?

References to the legendary Greek hero Odysseus occasionally appear across Margaret Atwood’s fiction, poetry, and essays, reflecting her interest in classical mythology. While interpretations vary, Atwood tends to subvert the notion of Odysseus as strictly heroic, instead highlighting more complex and unsavory characteristics of this iconic yet morally ambiguous figure.

Atwood's Satirical Lens on Odysseus in "Odysseus, BC 411"

In a poem titled “Odysseus, BC 411,” Atwood casts Odysseus in a satirical light, emphasizing his wiliness and slippery morals rather than courage – “O what fun / to be slippery, malicious / and obsessed...” This suggests Atwood perceives Odysseus as more conniving trickster than noble warrior.

Atwood’s Penelopiad more extensively reframes Odysseus from his wife Penelope’s perspective as a womanizing, self-interested adventurer who abandons his family for egotistical voyages. Atwood portrays Penelope resenting Odysseus’ vain pursuit of personal glory with little concern for the suffering he causes her.

Acknowledging Odysseus' Survival Skills in Atwood's Assessment

However, Atwood does acknowledge Odysseus’ survival skills. In an essay she calls him “skilled at trickery and disguise,” granting him pragmatism and intelligence, if not ideal morals. Atwood recognizes the attributes that enable Odysseus to emerge from his epic journey, even critically.

Atwood's Subversive Take on Odysseus: A Feminist Reappraisal

Through selective allusions across genres, Margaret Atwood provides a subversive take on the iconic hero Odysseus – one grounded more in feminist reappraisal of the ancient myths than blanket condemnation. She appreciates the wily Greek survivor's questionable cunning rather than uncritically celebrating his conquests.