Penelopiad 2024 adaptation
○ Atwood considered The Odyssey from Penelope’s perspective, and here you will reconsider this perspective in a contemporary setting in order to ultimately suggest (indirectly in the adaptation but directly in the artist’s analysis) something about the contemporary relevance of a key theme or message of that book. Write this in prose (4-6 pages double-spaced, start dialogue from each character on a new line) or as a script (6-8 pages) or storyboard/comic drawn by you on paper or a tablet (4-6 pages but panel size and details will factor; websites with stock characters that generate comics should not be used). Email to propose a different format for the adaptation, and this would have to be approved first.
○ You can make changes to the story to reflect a contemporary issue or context but this should still be more direct adaptation that just “inspired by.” A change or focus on disability, class, race, gender, or age of significant characters and/or specific settings (in a Toronto neighborhood, for example) and/or use of modern technology could also be key starting points for the way you show Penelope’s experience or that of the maids either in an important moment from The Penelopiad or more broadly in the story.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Penelopiad: A Contemporary Adaptation
Thesis Statement
Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad” reimagines the tale of “The Odyssey” through the lens of Penelope, offering a fresh perspective on gender roles and the silent suffering of women. In a contemporary adaptation set in a Toronto neighborhood, this narrative will explore the themes of resilience and agency among marginalized groups, particularly focusing on the experiences of women navigating societal expectations and injustices.
Setting
Location: A modest apartment in a multicultural neighborhood in Toronto, surrounded by coffee shops, small boutiques, and community centers.
Time Period: Present day.
Characters
– Penelope: A modern-day woman in her 30s, who is reflective, intelligent, and strong-willed. She runs a local arts and crafts shop.
– Odysseus: Penelope’s estranged husband, a successful entrepreneur who often travels for work.
– The Maids: A group of young women from diverse backgrounds who work part-time at Penelope’s shop. Each has her own story of struggle and resilience.
– Telemachus: Penelope’s teenage son who is grappling with his identity and the expectations placed upon him.
Script
Scene 1: Penelope’s Shop
The scene opens in Penelope’s vibrant arts and crafts shop. Bright colors adorn the walls, and the shelves are filled with handmade items. Penelope is arranging some products at the front.
Penelope:
(talking to herself)
Why does it feel like I’m always waiting? Waiting for him to call, waiting for things to change…
The door chimes as the Maids enter, chatting animatedly.
Maid 1 (Sofia):
Penny! You won’t believe what happened at the market today!
Maid 2 (Aisha):
Did you see how that guy treated me? Like I was invisible!
Penelope:
(smiling)
Tell me everything.
The Maids gather around the counter as Penelope listens intently.
Scene 2: The Struggles of the Maids
Maid 3 (Lina):
Sometimes I just feel like we’re stuck, you know? Like no matter how hard we work, we’re never really seen.
Penelope:
I know what you mean. It’s exhausting to play nice when people are so quick to judge us.
Lina looks thoughtful, glancing around the shop.
Lina:
It’s like we’re all waiting for someone to save us…
Penelope:
(interrupts)
No one is coming to save us, girls. We have to save ourselves. That’s what I want to teach you all here.
Scene 3: Telemachus’ Conflict
Telemachus enters, looking frustrated and lost. He slumps onto a chair.
Telemachus:
Mom, why can’t I just be normal? Why does it feel like everyone expects so much from me?
Penelope approaches him gently.
Penelope:
Honey, you’re not meant to be normal. You’re meant to be you.
Telemachus:
But what if me isn’t good enough?
Penelope:
It is. You just have to find your own path. It took me years to understand that waiting for someone to define me only held me back.
Scene 4: The Call for Change
The Maids start discussing their dreams and aspirations.
Sofia:
What if we organized something? A community event that showcases our talents?
Aisha:
Yes! We could invite everyone! We could tell our stories!
Penelope nods enthusiastically.
Penelope:
That’s a brilliant idea! We can create a space where everyone’s voice is heard.
Scene 5: The Event
The community event takes place in a park nearby. People gather, showcasing art, music, and stories. Penelope stands on a small stage with the Maids by her side.
Penelope:
(addressing the crowd)
Today we reclaim our narratives. We are not waiting for anyone to tell our stories; we are here to tell them ourselves!
The crowd cheers as Telemachus watches proudly from the sidelines.
Scene 6: Resolution
Later that evening at home, Penelope reflects on the day’s events with Telemachus.
Penelope:
Did you see how energized everyone was? That’s what community feels like.
Telemachus:
I think I finally get it, Mom. It’s not about waiting for someone like Dad to come back or make things right. It’s about us and what we can do together.
Penelope smiles, seeing her son begin to understand his own strength.
Conclusion
The contemporary adaptation of “The Penelopiad” emphasizes the importance of agency and resilience in a modern context. Through Penelope’s journey alongside the Maids and Telemachus, we witness their struggles against societal expectations and their fight for identity. This narrative not only highlights the relevance of Atwood’s themes but also serves as a powerful reminder that in our interconnected lives, each individual’s story contributes to a larger tapestry of resilience and empowerment. By articulating their narratives collectively, they reclaim their identities and assert their place in society—echoing Penelope’s timeless strength in the face of adversity.
