'Whilst many female characters in the Odyssey are shown in a negative light, Penelope is the only woman portrayed without flaws'. To what extent do you think this is true?

(Tackle the structure of this question: it is asking you to look at both Penelope, and the representation of other women. It is also asking you to either disagree or agree with the statement, and more importantly justify your opinions. Below is a sample of the points you might want to make in addressing it.)In many ways, Penelope represents Homer's depiction of the 'ideal' Greek woman. The most important of her characteristics is her inexorable faithfulness to her presumably dead husband Odysseus, very much so sought after and romanticized as a trait in Ancient Greece. She is witty and intelligent, demonstrating her metis in the trial of the Suitors, as well as in questioning beggar Odysseus' identity. However, she is not the only woman represented so positively. Nausicaa is a direct parallel to Penelope, a younger version of the beautiful, intelligent, noble, faithful woman. She is not depicted as flawed any more than Penelope is. Many female characters in the Odyssey are shown in a negative light; nevertheless, there are a some that are idols. Yet if one digs a bit deeper, there are ways in which even Penelope could be seen as flawed - this depends, of course, on the perspective; a modern one, or an ancient one. For example, Penelope does not succeed in ridding herself of the Suitors, and allows them to actively court her in her husband's home. At the same time, Penelope could be seen as domineering and manipulative, for how she tries to trick the Suitors with the farce of the shroud and control her son Telemachus. Therefore, it is not the case that Penelope is without flaws, nor that she is the only female character in the Odyssey who is; indeed Penelope could be seen as flawed, whilst Nausicaa is flawless.