Penelope told the suitors she’d choose one of them when her weaving was done.1 For three years she unpicked it at night, by torchlight.
Penelope told the suitors she’d choose one of them when her weaving was done.1 For three years she unpicked it at night, by torchlight.
Did a whole day’s work and undid it at night? Penelope did it on purpose.
In the Odyssey she promises the suitors she’ll pick a husband once she finishes a great cloth on her loom. By day she weaves it. At night, by torchlight, she unpicks the stitches. She keeps it up for three years, buying time until Odysseus comes home, and in the fourth one of her maids gives her away.
Homer, Odyssey 2.93–110 and 19.137–156.
Text is Latin for “something woven”, from the same verb as textile.Take one thing off tomorrow’s list tonight, on purpose.
1 Homer, Odyssey 2.93–110
