Ithaca: Plot

“Ithaca” is a poem part of Carol Ann Duffy’s collection “The World’s Wife” which reimagines the stories of women from history and mythology, giving them an opportunity to share their perspective.
The poem is a monologue from the perspective of Penelope, the wife of the Greek hero Odysseus, who shares her experience of waiting for her husband’s return from the Trojan War.
Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca takes 20 years, during which Penelope faithfully waits for him, even while she’s besieged by suitors in his absence.
The poem shifts between Penelope’s recollection of past events and her current situation, providing a deep insight into the distress and longing evoked by these long years of separation.
Exploring the theme of love and duration, the poem presents how the pain of waiting can transform into strength and resilience.
Despite Odysseus being the hero of the original story, in Duffy’s version, Penelope emerges as a figure of admiration for her patience and love.
Using the technique of intertextuality, Duffy provides a fresh perspective to the familiar tale of “The Odyssey”.
Although the journey is arduous and fraught with many challenges, it ultimately ends in a reunion, encapsulating the ~power of enduring love that stands the test of time.

“Mrs Midas”: Perhaps one of Duffy’s more famous poems, it echoes “Ithaca” in the portrayal of a wife deeply affected by her husband’s actions. Similarly to “Ithaca”, it explores the theme of enduring love in the face of great trials.
“Anne Hathaway”: Recalling the love between Anne and her husband, this poem mirrors “Ithaca” in the portrayal of deep and enduring love despite separation.
“The Devil’s Wife”: Although darker in tone, this poem provides a contrast to the faithful love seen in “Ithaca”. Examining both poems allows for a nuanced understanding of Carolyn Duffy’s portrayal of love and relationships.

An understanding of Duffy’s exploration of gender, power dynamics and marginalised voices in various poems enhances the interpretation of “Ithaca”. Duffy’s version of Penelope breaks away from the male-dominated narrative of the original story to spotlight Penelope’s experience.
Noting how Duffy often reinterprets classical stories and figures – as seen in poems like “Salome” and “Mrs Beast” – can provide deeper insight into her approach in “Ithaca”. Here, she similarly transforms a familiar tale by focusing on the often overlooked woman’s perspective.
Duffy’s inversion of traditional roles and narratives as seen in her collection “The World’s Wife” is carried forward in “Ithaca” as she presents the myth of the journey from a woman’s perspective, emphasising her capacity for emotional strength and resilience.