Answer:
Odysseus and his wife, penelope, are symbols used by the author.
Step-by-step explanation:
Odysseus represents the spirit, his wife Penelope, matter. The spirit, for the Greeks, is superior to matter, so it rules. What happens when Odysseus gets away from home? There is disorder, for the house is without its king, its ruler. Ithaca and his house are in decay, at the mercy of usurpers and traitors. Matter without the spirit has no strength, so Penelope can not take the reins of her house, can not rule; but matter needs ontologically of the spirit, hence its firm loyalty to Odysseus.