"Antinous," watchful Penelope stepped in,
"how impolite it would be, how wrong, to scant
whatever guest Telemachus welcomes to his house.
You really think – if the stranger trusts so to his hands
and strength that he strings Odysseus’ great bow –
he’ll take me home and claim me as his bride?
He never dreamed of such a thing, I’m sure."
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 21, lines 350-356. Penelope shows her bravery by taking a stand against suitor Antinous. This is after Antinous insults the disguised Odysseus when he asks to take part in the archery contest with Odysseus’ bow. Penelope leaps to Odysseus’ defense and challenges Antinous over how he is treating a guest of Telemachus. Invoking the rules of hospitality, she warns that she won’t stand for people being impolite to a guest.