The Penelopiad: Your opinions of characters

Did reading The Penelopiad change your impressions or feelings about the original Odyssey, or any of the characters and their behavior? If so, how and why?

Eurykleia is less attractive in Atwood's version. More of a meddling old woman than a loyal servant. I could see a version in which she could be the faithful 'mammy' of the Confederate soldier returning from the Civil War, with Penelope as the plantation mistress who has needed her help to keep things together but resents having been dependent on a mere slave. Bearing in mind that there was no racial component in Greek slavery.

All of the characters became more real, less heroic and far more accessible and immediate. I *liked* them better for being allowed to dislike them on some levels.

Except Helen.

What a wench.

If The Penelopiad were made into a movie there would be an obligatory cat fight between Helen and Penelope.

Because of Taming of the Shrew, wench is a GOOD word to me. ("Now THERE'S a wench!") I'm presuming you were using it as a stand-in for the "B" word.

Sort of, Dave. "Wench," to me, is worse, the sort who, in the words of my grandmother, "wouldn't say s*** if she had a mouthful," and manages to provoke and manipulate everyone around her and comes out looking like an angel.

A bitch is at least open in her bitchery.

"Wench" in Taming is rather a good word though.