Penelope is compelled to remarry because her husband, Odysseus, explicitly instructed her to do so once their son, Telemachus, reached manhood.
The Conditional Mandate from Odysseus
The primary reason for Penelope's eventual decision to remarry stems directly from a specific instruction given by her husband, Odysseus, before he departed for the Trojan War. He conveyed to her a clear condition for remarriage:
- "when you see our son has grown a beard, marry the man you wish, and leave your home"
This declaration established a fixed timeline for her to consider other suitors, linking her marital status to the maturity of their son, Telemachus. It was a pragmatic instruction designed to ensure the continuity of their household and the protection of their property in his prolonged absence, implicitly putting a limit on her indefinite wait.
Telemachus's Coming of Age
The critical factor that has now led Penelope to finally decide to remarry is the fulfillment of Odysseus's condition: Telemachus has indeed reached manhood. His growth and maturity, symbolized by the literal growth of a beard, signify that he is now capable of taking on the responsibilities of the household and protecting their interests. With this milestone achieved, the implicit agreement and instruction from Odysseus become binding, pressing Penelope to honor his wishes.
Her predicament is further compounded by the continuous pressure from numerous suitors vying for her hand and her kingdom, but the foundational reason for her necessity to choose a new husband is rooted in Odysseus's own foresight and directive.
