"Your way is a far cry from the time-honored way
of suitors locked in rivalry, striving to win
some noble woman, a wealthy man’s daughter.
They bring in their own calves and lambs
to feast the friends of the bride-to-be, yes,
and shower her with gleaming gifts as well.
They don’t devour the woman’s goods scot-free."
Staunch Odysseus glowed with joy to hear all this.
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 18, lines 309-316. Penelope rebukes the greedy suitors for devouring all her goods and abusing her hospitality. Instead they should be bringing in their own food and showering the bride-to-be with lavish gifts, she says. Penelope shows that she is as cunning as Odysseus, as the suitors respond by sending their servants to bring her gifts of jewelry and fine clothing. Odysseus is pleased at his wife’s cleverness in extracting gifts from the suitors.