The Great Rooted Bed

Odysseus and Penelope's bed represents their relationship and its strength. In line 197-229, Penelope tests Odysseus--who she does not yet recognize--to see if he is really her husband by asking her maidservant to move their bed. Odysseus reacts immediately with fury, telling Penelope that he knows the bed cannot be moved because he created it himself. Referring to the bed in lines 210-211, Odysseus explains that "Not a man on earth, not even at peak strength, would find it easy to prise it up and shift it...". It is because of the way Odysseus built the bed that he is certain of its immobility, as it is described as an olive tree that Odysseus merely chopped off the top of and carved into, building his entire bedroom around the tree's roots. The bed has remained rooted to that spot, just as Odysseus' love for Penelope, and her love for him, never wavered, remaining stubbornly rooted in their hearts. Odysseus asks somewhat fearfully if the tree-bed is still where he left it, which also represents his fear that perhaps Penelope has forgotten him and replaced him as her lover along with their bed. However, Penelope shows her stalwart loyalty to Odysseus in lines 230-258, crying in joy to see that her love has returned to her. Finally reunited, the two return to their bed, which symbolizes a sort of full-circle in their relationship.