The Answer is individual v. Nature
"The Odyssey", is one of the two really important works by Homer, together with "the Iliad". These two works by this great Greek author, one of the most important in history, have been known as the greatest works, and the most ancient, of literary history and "the Iliad" is known as the oldest written literary work ever, while "the Odyssey" has been known as the second oldest. "Odyssey", believed to have been written somewhere around the 8th century B.C, continues the story of Odysseus, who after the Trojan War, seeks to return home to Ithaca, where he is king, and where his wife Penelope, and son Telemachus, have been awaiting him. On the voyage home, Odysseus, and his son and wife as well, face several adventures that not only lead to the resulting final encounter and its consequences, but also change these three characters and affect others around them. However, probably the one that changes the most throughout both "Iliad" and "Odyssey" is Odysseus himself, who at first recognized himself as a reckless and impulsive man, which caused him to leave his home and family to fight in the Trojan War. After the endless adventures, and obstacles, that this character needs to face in order to reach his goal, returning to his family and home, he comes to find that he also needs to reassert his presence and authority to his wife, Penelope, and he confronts them in a contest of archery, established by Penelope in order to dissuade her suitors. In this particular excerpt, what Odysseus portrays, and that is why at first Penelope has trouble recognizing her husband, is the way that he A: has become more patient and humble in battle. It is not until after a bit later that Penelope and Odysseus finally reunite when she recognizes him.
"It had a perfectly round door like a porthole" (page 15)
"They used to go up like great lilies and snapdragons and laburnums of fire and hang in the twilight all evening" (page 5)
"Because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads" (page 2)
"My armor is like tenfold shields..." (page 226)
