The comparative study of the Odyssey and the Penelopiad is enriched by the fact that Atwood's novella is a direct interpretation of Homer's text. The transformation of character over more than 2000 years is a strong point of friction between the two texts. Lessons 3 and 4 focused on characterizing the major (and some minor) characters in each text. Now you have the opportunity to examine the similarities and differences between the texts. Compose an extended response to the following question: How does Atwood's Penelopiad strengthen and weaken the characterization of key figures in the Odyssey? EXAMINE AT LEAST TWO CHARACTERS IN YOUR ANSWER. A composer's key characters often embody the value and perspectives of their social, cultural and historical context. The characters represent the composer's approach to communicating with the audience, allowing us to make comparisons between these widely distinct contexts. Through an in-depth study of Atwood's “The Penelopiad,” the reader is provided with a glimpse into the confrontation between key figures in the “Odyssey,” such as Odysseus and Penelope. Atwood aims to bring light into the depiction of the central characters through his postmodern appropriation of Homer's classical Greek tale. The protagonist is strongly representative of the context in which the text was composed. "The Penelopiad" provides a contrasting perspective of Odysseus as portrayed in Homer's "Odyssey." It is crucial to analyze the characterization of the protagonist, since it represents the main means through which the composer conveys his messages about the society and culture that existed in their context. In the "Odyssey", Odysseus is praised for his various courageous and noble tasks, such as... middle of paper......seus also helps shape our perspective which, despite his heroic traits such as courage and decisiveness, he also possesses many questionable qualities. Atwood's appropriation of "The Odyssey" expresses many of the moral ambiguities of Odysseus' actions that are expressed in Homer's original text. Penelope's Characterization is also Atwood's “The Penelopiad,” explores the evolving characterization of key characters such as Penelope and Odysseus through his postmodernist reimagining of Homer's classic “The Odyssey.” Through the exploration of characters, the reader is given insight into the context of Atwood's writing. His characterization of Penelope and Odysseus is shaped by our understanding of the characters in the "Odyssey" and allows us to draw a comparison between the prevailing culture and society of Homer and Atwood's writing..