Homer’s Odyssey - Cloud Object Storage | Store & Retrieve … · 2016-06-30 · A NOW YOU KNOW MEDIA S T U D Y G U I D E Homer’s Odyssey Presented by Rev. Gregory I. Carlson,

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NOW YOU KNOW MEDIA S T U D Y G U I D E

Homer’s Odyssey

Presented by Rev. Gregory I. Carlson, S.J., D.Phil.

HOMER’S ODYSSEY STUDY GUIDE

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Rev. Gregory I. Carlson, S.J. D.Phil., University of Heidelberg

Creighton University

n award-winning teacher, Rev. Gregory Carlson, S.J., D.Phil.,

is Associate Professor of English and Associate Director of

the Deglman Center for Spirituality at Creighton University.

A priest of the Society of Jesus, he has taught classics at the College of

the Holy Cross, Creighton, and Marquette University. He has also been

an invited chairholder at Georgetown University and John Carroll

University. Rev. Carlson received his master’s degree in Classics from

St. Louis University, his Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of

Theology at Berkeley, and his doctorate summa cum laude from the

University of Heidelberg.

In 1979, Jesuit superiors asked him to leave his tenured position at Holy Cross to help create a seminary

for the humanities education of younger Jesuits at Creighton University. At Creighton, he has won the

coveted Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. His courses in Greek literature, world literature, and

the humanities have regularly included the reading of Homer's Odyssey. He also served as President of

the Vergilian Society from 1999 to 2001.

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Table of Contents

Course Information

Presenter Biography………………………………………………………………….i

Course Overview ......................................................................................................... 1

Course Materials

Lecture 1. Homer’s Odyssey: Books 1 and 2 ............................................................... 2



Lecture 4. Homer’s Odyssey: Books 7 and 8 ............................................................. 12

Lecture 5. Homer’s Odyssey: Books 9 and 10 ........................................................... 15

Lecture 6. Homer’s Odyssey: Books 11 and 12 ......................................................... 21




Lecture 10. Homer’s Odyssey: Books 19 and 20 ....................................................... 39



Supplemental Materials

Persons & Places: Alternate Spellings ....................................................................... 48

Bibliography .............................................................................................................. 50


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Course Overview

Discover fresh insights into one of the greatest works of literature ever

composed: Homer’s Odyssey.

Why does this ancient epic poem continue to mesmerize us? You’re

undoubtedly familiar with The Odyssey in some form, whether you read it in school

or saw an adaptation.

Now, this exciting series invites you to read Homer’s text with new eyes. Under

the guidance of award-winning presenter Rev. Gregory Carlson, the Western

world’s most engaging story comes alive again with all its poetry, drama, and

action. As you move through The Odyssey book by book, Homer will speak directly

to you, and you will gain profound insights into his artistry.

With breathtaking liveliness, Rev. Carlson will lead you through Odysseus’

spectacular journey. As you voyage through various fantastic lands, you will

encounter sea monsters and sirens, gods and giants, and a colorful cast of

characters. Rev. Carlson brings familiar stories alive by drawing out their

implications and challenges for the unusual hero Odysseus.

If you think of Odysseus as just another ancient hero, you will find yourself

surprised, as Homer reveals this man step-by-step as distinctive—and remarkably

modern. As Rev. Carlson brings the poem to life, you will come to see that it is not

just about adventures: the poem itself is an adventure. Indeed, Homer will challenge

your perceptions about success, women, friendship, and human identity.

As an expert teacher, Rev. Carlson helps you become a more skilled reader and

put together the pieces of the poem. His engaging study guide questions help you

gain new insight into this epic. You will find these pieces coming together in a

startling fashion as Homer fleshes out one of the most fascinating characters ever

invented.

Odysseus was born for challenges, and this course in turn invites you to

challenge yourself. Follow Odysseus on his journey today.



Lecture 1. Homer’s Odyssey: Books 1 and 2

Overview

dysseus' home and son need him. The gods on Olympus get Telémakhos active, and his actions

help reveal what ugly men have taken over Odysseus' home. All the other Greek heroes who

fought at Troy made it home long ago. Now it is time for Odysseus to get back home.

I. Translation

For this course, I will be using and referencing the translation of Robert Fitzgerald, from 1961.

As a translation, it is fresh, it moves, and it has the right touch.

Names: Fitzgerald tries to maintain the original Greek flavor of the names, rather than the

traditional anglicized forms (e.g., Telémakhos, Meneláos, Akhilleus, instead of Telémakhos,

Meneláos, Achilles).

(i) I will speak the traditional form, but write the Fitzgerald form.

Fitzgerald’s lines do not equal those of the original in a one for one correlation.

(i) He gives the original line numbers at the top of each pair of pages, and his line numbers

at the side.

The individual book titles come from him.

Other translations are fine: most will correlate with the original line numbers, those at the top of

Fitzgerald’s pages.

II. Methodology

This is a great work that invites you to read it through three times.

First reading: Enter the world the poet is creating. There may be lots of confusion and

questions. Keep going. Do not stop. Allow questions to be questions.

(i) After that first reading, you may want to consult a simple plot outline to get the story

straight.

(ii) Now is the best time to read through the reflection questions prepared for each of the

books. They should help you to dig beneath the surface and notice the underlying ways in

which things fit together.

The second reading will go more quickly. It can be done in tandem with the lectures. You are

now much more at home in the world the poet is creating.

O



(i) You may want to check one scene against another to settle a question as it comes up. I

think you'll find yourself noticing much more of what's happening beneath the surface

and getting a satisfying sense of where the storyteller and poet is going with all this.

A third reading—after completing the program as a whole—can then be a pure pleasure.

(i) In case it is not already clear, the focus here is on letting you enjoy the poet as directly as

possible. Let him speak first and last!

This program will break the 24 books of The Odyssey into 12 lectures covering two books apiece.

The events of The Odyssey take place in a time and a place that is not our own, and so the

world within it can seem strange, or foreign.

In light of this each lecture will also include a short, topical explanation that will clarify the

world of the poet, allowing us to more fully understand what is happening in that lectures

two books.

III. The Opening Scenes

The first 20 lines are surprising.

The first scene:

(i) Begs the question, “Who or what are the gods?” Our

default answer: the gods treat people as puppets (We

postpone a longer answer about the gods to Book 13).

(ii) Mafia don patterns can be seen in their behavior.

Zeus has 2 main interests: justice and (especially) hospitality

to the guest.

(i) Result: Athene gets his agreement and goes to Ithaka:

Athene has two disguises in one book: this says something

about her.

(i) Her attachment to Odysseus is also clear.

We meet Telémakhos, Odysseus’ son.

Telémakhos' challenge: To be a man, to take action against

adversity.

Telemmakhos undertakes two actions now: assembly and

search for his father (seek his own identity)

(i) What are Telémakhos' options?

Statue of Zeus, ca. 250 CE



Notice the singer—a harper or bard—Phemios, and the important place he has in life at Odysseus'

castle. More about the singer when we get to Books 5-6.

IV. Excurses on Social Structure

There is a very specific (yet different from our own) social structure Homer presumes:

People here lived in pockets of habitation managed by landowners, each lord of a household.

(i) Each of these wealthier patrons has many commoner clients.

There is no “government” or “police” or “army.”

Families protect their own honor and get revenge when dishonored; they make host/guest

relationships with families elsewhere.

The community has a king elected from the masters of the households.

When there is a public issue, it is brought up at a beginning of the day assembly, where people

can proclaim their assent or disagreement; civil speech is guaranteed in the assembly.

Assembly: Note the upshot of Homer’s structuring.

V. In Summary

At the end of Book 2, we see the following situation and are left with the following questions:

When the assembly breaks up, Telémakhos begins preparations for sailing. Notice Eurýkleia,

his faithful nurse.

What is Penélopê up to? Why are these suitors not competing more vigorously with one

another?

We have not seen Odysseus yet, but the narrative is making a strong thrust towards him.



Reflection Questions

1. Do you find anything surprising about the way this long poem begins?

2. What are your beginning impressions of the several gods, goddesses, and nymphs featured here?

3. In Books 1-2 of The Odyssey, what is Homer's sense of Telémakhos' age and maturity?

4. Does Homer think that the suitors are justified? For help in answering, note the order in which

three specific suitors speak in Book 2.




Overview

elémakhos begins to experience the outside world beyond Ithaka and meets both the most beautiful

woman in the world and two of his father's dearest companions. Nestor remembers Odysseus with

fondness, but knows nothing of his whereabouts. Is he still alive? Meneláos knows more, but his

knowledge is not up to date. When will we readers actually meet Odysseus?

I. Telémakhos’ Search for His Father

Telémakhos continues to show elements of both boy and man.

He experiences the "outside world" of men and manners beyond his mother’s household and

the soft suitors.

He is astonished at the palace of Meneláos, richest man in the world, and hears stories of

great men and their deeds.

At Pylos, he sees that Poseidon is a god worth appeasing:

(i) Poseidon is the god of the ocean, he is the earthshaker.

(ii) Nestor and his family know how important it is to be on his good side.

II. A Picture of Family Life

During Telémakhos’ travels, we see a picture of what family life should look like in Pylos, again

through Nestor’s family.

We see the importance of being on the good side of the gods.

We see the lament of a son, Antilokhos, lost at Troy.

We hear from Nestor the stories of the various Greek heroes and their homecomings––what

could (or should) be happening for Odysseus right now.

Faithful and dutiful, Nestor’s youngest son, Peisistratus accompanies Telémakhos on his

search for Odysseus.

Together, Telémakhos and Peisistratus travel to Lakedaimon/Sparta to speak with Helen and

Meneláos.

Meneláos confides (before recognizing Telémakhos) that he misses Odysseus more than his

other comrades from the war.

From Helen and Meneláos, we receive more stories of returning heroes, questionable wives,

and dutiful sons (e.g., Megapenthos getting married there in Sparta).

T



(i) Are Meneláos and Helen happy? Are they reconciled?

(ii) She's quicker than he is.

III. Summary

In Books 3 and 4, we see a progression

outward geographically, and simultaneously

a progression forward in time.

We see the episode recounted by Meneláos

about Proteus, giving us vital information.

We know know where Odysseus was

(though the information is now dated).

We see the “education” of Telémakhos:

He learns the manners and morals of

heroes.

He seeks his father = claim his identity.

He takes action, and opposes difficulties

to win a name for himself.

We see further revelation of the suitors’ violence as they prepare to ambush Telémakhos as he

returns home.

We see that Penélopê suffers a further loss—Telémakhos is gone—and her further concern—the

suitors want to kill him.

We see the thrust of the narrative towards Odysseus.

Helen Recognizing Telemachus, Son of Odysseus by

Jean-Jacques Lagrenée, 1795




1. What is it like for Telémakhos to experience the "outside world" beyond Ithaka?

2. Are Meneláos and Helen happy? Are they reconciled?

3. Respond to the follow sentiment: “The first four books of the Odyssey certainly present a strange

way of beginning a story. I thought the Odyssey was supposed to be about Odysseus, and he doesn't

even appear! These four books really do not accomplish anything.”




Overview

e no sooner meet Odysseus than we find him doing the unthinkable: he turns down an offer

of immortality with a gorgeous mate! He passes further tests of skill and endurance while

Athene prepares a good welcome for him on the island that will soon see to his homecoming.

Could this island be so welcoming that it constitutes a temptation?

I. A First View of Odysseus

A second council is convened by the

gods, and Athene convinces Zeus to have

Odysseus freed from Kalypso, that he

might return home.

Zeus sends Hermes, messenger of the

gods to Kalypso to relay the message.

Our first view of Odysseus, hero of our

story, is in Book 5 where we find him

sitting on the shoreline, weeping for

home.

Odysseus, in turn rejects Kalypso’s

offer of immortality (ponder the

question of why). And continues his

journey homeward.

Odysseus is faced with a series of

trials/tests that tell us about his character.

We get a sense of Poseidon as “the god of earthquake.”

It is interesting to note that Odysseus’ fear in the storm is not dying as such, but going down

without honor…better to have died at Troy.

We see Odysseus “trust” the goddess Ino after the gift of the veil.

II. Nausikaa and Guest/Host Responsibility

Athene’s 3rd disguise: Nausikaa’s friend, Dymas’ daughter, in a dream.

Nausikaa is a strikingly different figure of a woman than Kalypso. Keep these sorts of ideas in

mind while reading the story.

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Hermes Ordering Calypso to Release Odysseus by Gerard

de Lairesse, ca. 1670


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She offers help to Odysseus:

She gives him clothing from the laundry she is washing.

She sends him to her mother before her father.

(i) Interesting to see another female character ruling the roost.

This encounter says a great deal about the rules of guest/host relationships in this society, and so

this is a good place to extrapolate some of those rules.

A needy guest will grasp the host’s ankles in a gesture of supplication.

Any guest must be honored with a meal.

(i) Only then may one ask his name.

Offer gifts and return the favor of hospitality.

(i) Hospitality: reception/meal/questions/gift.

Zeus is the protector of guests: as Nausikaa says, “Strangers and beggars come from Zeus.”

(i) Violating this sacred relationship on either side is not only impious, but ugly violence––

and a sign of a lack of social maturity.

(ii) Either party will avenge lost honor against the offender using family resources.




1. Why does Odysseus reject Kalypso's offer of immortality?

2. What tests does Odysseus meet in Book 5?

3. In Book 6 Homer uses a repeated motif to underscore the temptation Odysseus will face on this

island. What is the motif and what is the temptation?

4. What are the basic rules for acting humanely in the society Homer pictures in this poem?




Overview

dysseus violates the rules of polite society to protect his identity as he works to win the favor

of these people who could bring him home. Or is he preparing an introduction to his identity

that is worthy of him? He navigates proposals, banquets, and insults before his host asks him

directly who he is. We are ready for Odysseus' own story.

I. In the House of Arêtê and Alkínoös

In the house of Arêtê and Alkínoös, we again see an interesting familial dynamic. Arêtê is clearly

in charge here despite her husband’s status as the “head of the house.”

When Odysseus comes to Arêtê he grabs her knees (supplicant) and says, “My life is pain.”

Arêtê asks Odysseus a series of questions.

(i) “Homeric order” of the questions/answers ABC – CBA (also called a chiasm)

(ii) Odysseus leaves one question unanswered.

Odysseus covers for Nausikaa with a lie when Alkínoös says she should have been hospitable by

bringing him in herself.

Alkínoös promises passage late the next day.

II. Odysseus’ Identity

Athene opens the next book by acting as

Alkínoös’ crier, announcing an assembly in

Odysseus’ honor—and then again pours

grace out upon him.

Alkínoös notes that Odysseus has not yet

revealed his name and calls for a festival

with the minstrel Demodokos.

Sings clash of Achilles and Odysseus.

Odysseus weeps twice, but Alkínoös

notices the second time and calls for

athletics.

(i) Who has been weeping so far in the

poem? (Penélopê, Telémakhos, and

Odysseus––they are tied together.)

O

Ulysses at the Court of Alcinous by Francesco Hayez,

1814–15



It can be helpful to put oneself in Alkínoös' sandals and trace the progressive stages through

which he comes to know who this stranger (Odysseus) is.

III. The Contest with Seareach

Consider the role played by Seareach (Euryalos) in the poem. He is a challenger of sorts (much

like Unferth in Beowulf), and he provokes a revelation of our hero’s unseen strengths.

The discus throw is judged by Athene disguised as a Phaiacian judge.

Odysseus speaks of bowmanship at Troy.

Demodokos sings a song about Ares and Aphrodite. Consider how the song's story relates to

Odysseus’ situation. It is a story of adultery within one's home—and its punishment.

Notice the young men, Apollo and Hermes, saying that they would be glad to pay the price.

Is this an echo of the suitors' surface viewpoint?

In light of Demodokos, consider again the position of the singer or bard in society.

(i) Importance of the singer to society

(ii) Importance of the singer to the hero

(iii) Possibly an image for Homer?

More gifts are given; Odysseus receives an apology from Searach.

IV. Farewells

After the competition and so forth, Odysseus says farewell to Nausikaa.

Odysseus honors Demodokos with a gift of meat.

He requests that Demodokos sing of the wooden horse.

He weeps again.

As the book closes, Alkínoös finally demands that Odysseus fulfill his part of the guest/host

relationship by revealing his identity.

We see the frightening prophecy of a threat from Poseidon following upon the request that

the guest declare himself.




1. Put yourself in Alkínoös' sandals and trace the progressive stages through which you come to know

who this stranger is.

2. How do you understand the role of Seareach (Euryalos) in the poem?

3. Demodokos sings a song about Ares and Aphrodite. Does the song's story relate to Odysseus in

any way?

4. Using Demodokos as an example, what can you say now about the "singer" or "bard" and his place

in this society?




Overview

dysseus tells the most famous adventure story in the Western world. Each episode tests him,

some by alluring him softly, some by threatening him harshly. Temptations now proverbial

appear here with the freshness and surprise they had for Odysseus himself. He encounters

addicted lotus eaters, threatening kyklopes, and Kirkê the seductive witch. The most extensive and

revealing encounter matches Odysseus as the clever civilized man against the brutal cyclops. It reveals

more than one of Odysseus' faults and weaknesses.

I. Odysseus’ Self-Revelation

Finally, directly asked with no more excuses available to him, Odysseus agrees to divulge his

name to Alkínoös.

He takes a very controlled approach to the revelation of his name, preparing his entrance.

He begins by praising the joy of listening to a great storyteller. Now he will be that

storyteller.

Countdown: he will be down to one less-than-full ship by the end of these two books. We

watch the steps.

(i) Each of these encounters that Odysseus reports from his wanderings are tests for him and

his men.

II. Kikonês

The first test Odysseus and his men face after their victory at Troy is in the land of the Kikonês.

They raid a city and quickly amass plunder, food, and drink. Rather than leaving with their spoils

at the advice of Odysseus, the men give over to greed and drunkenness, celebrating their easy

victory. Meanwhile, the Kikonês gather reinforcements and then rout them.

Loses six men from each of his 12 ships (about 45 men on a ship).

In this test, both Odysseus and his men are found wanting.

While we might find raiding and sacking cities repugnant, that was not the view of the

ancient Greeks.

(i) A lesson: One must watch what one does in the flush of victory.

(ii) This is a harsh episode. Others too can extract violent retribution for taking what belongs

to someone else.

O



III. Lotos-Eaters

In this test, Odysseus and his men do not lose anybody.

Some of the others succumb, but Odysseus is above this temptation.

The men are overcome by food.

(i) It is similar to real life. We know and understand addiction.

Here, a strong Odysseus acts immediately (contrasting with his weaker stance in the previous

episode) and decides to force the three men overcome by the fruit back to the ships where they

are tied down.

It is a surprisingly short encounter.

It is a peaceful/nonviolent adventure, after the last ordeal. Alternating violent and peaceful

adventures is a common Homeric device.

IV. Kyklopes

In their encounter with the Kyklopes, Odysseus and company lose six of the twelve chosen men

in the scouting party.

The loss takes the form of 3 meals of 2 men each for Polyphemus.

(i) Supper, breakfast, and supper. This is a society that eats twice a day, leaving the daytime

for farming, herding, and sailing.

(ii) Even barbaric, lawless Polyphemus eats this

way. The only ones eating at more irregular

intervals are the insatiable suitors!

It is a harsh, violent story, again contrasting with

the soft, nonviolent nature of the preceding

episode.

The situation here tests Odysseus and his men on a

variety of levels:

Curiosity

Ugly Violence

Pride

Self-restraint

Cleverness

The Cyclops Polyphemus by Annibale

Carracci, ca. 1595–1605



The success of Odysseus and his men is mixed.

The responsibility for their losses belongs to Odysseus alone.

(i) They should never have ventured to the mainland to begin with. It was purely to satisfy

Odysseus’ curiosity.

They show self-restraint in not killing Polyphemus in his sleep, but Odysseus fails to show

self-restraint in the flush of victory over Polyphemus gloating.

Odysseus’ “nobody” trick is clever, as is the fashioning of a weapon from the olive wood and

blinding, rather than killing of the Polyphemus (they would not have been able to move the

stone door had they killed him).

(i) The “nobody” trick is also self-demeaning in a way.

Nonetheless, Odysseus fails when he gives his full name and identification, “Odysseus, son

of Laërtês, from Ithaka,” to Polyphemus in his hubristic pride.

(i) At this point in recounting his story he has finally giving the full identification asked for

by Alkínoös and Arêtê, after holding out so long.

Polyphemus is an antitype for Odysseus.

Polyphemus is a barbarian. He is coarse, and he does not follow the social codes governing

the guest/host relationship.

Polyphemus is unintelligent.

(i) He is tricked about Odysseus’ ship, his name, and the escape route.

(ii) His attempt at trickery is the child’s “Come back and I’ll treat you better,” as they run

away.

For all of Polyphemus’ nastiness, one might still feel a touch of sympathy for the blinded oaf

as he asks his pet ram why he does not lead but only follows this time.

Here we learn the reason for Odysseus’ reticence to reveal his identity:

To know one’s name is to have a certain power over that individual.

Now Polyphemus can curse Odysseus in his prayer to his father for revenge. Now Poseidon

is the enemy.

(i) The curse: “Never to return home, or if so, late, after troubles, without companions, to

bitter struggles,” and this is the plan for the rest of the poem.

V. Aiolos

In this encounter, there is no loss of men, but a serious loss of dignity.



Odysseus and his men arrive on the strange island of Aeolia, where six brothers married to six

sisters live in comfort and ease.

Odysseus tells them of Troy for a month. They agree to help him get home by bottling the

unfavorable winds so that they may sail straight home.

Odysseus and his men are tested here:

Odysseus (like Gilgamesh) is tested but fails to stay awake. Had he stayed awake, the men

would not have opened the bag.

The curiosity and greed of his men are tested, as is their trust in Odysseus. They fail this test

and open the bag to see what he has hidden inside.

(i) While they clearly have failed here, it is worth noting that Odysseus has failed to ground

his men’s trust in him.

The bag is opened, the winds are released, and having just come into sight of Ithaka,

Odysseus and his men are blown away.

Odysseus and his men return to Aeolia and ask help a second time, but are turned away. They

reject him because he is cursed.

This is the only point where Odysseus contemplates suicide.

VI. Laestrygonians

Following a peaceful encounter, this violent episode tests the curiosity, foresight, and caution of

Odysseus and his men.

They sail into a serene bay with high cliffs on both sides.

11 of the twelve ships moor inside the bay. Only Odysseus moors his ship outside the bay.

Ashore, they meet a young woman who introduces them to her father.

(i) The people here turn out to be cannibals.

Odysseus and his men flee, but are trapped, easy targets for the locals in the bay.

(i) Odysseus scrambles aboard his boat, cuts the rope, and sails off.

(ii) The 11 ships and their crews are lost.

Is this a glimpse of why Odysseus’ men do not trust his “bag of booty” from Aeolia?

VII. Kirkê

Odysseus loses only one man at the beguiling home of Kirkê the enchantress, but the episode

reveals a great deal about him.



Half his men fall victim to this woman, as men regularly fall victim to strong women in this

poem, starting with Agamémnon and Meneláos.

A first test for Odysseus is how to deal with the one survivor of this transformation, Eurylochus,

who wants only to leave as quickly as possible and reminds his companions that Odysseus’

bravado had cost other companions their lives with the Kyklops.

Odysseus has divine help from Hermes, and we face our question again of whether the gods

manipulate life unfairly.

The episode tests Odysseus’ ability to encounter a strong woman.

He passes the test––in a fashion we will want to examine.

But it also tests then his ability to integrate this relationship with his deepest desires, and he

does not do so well.

He forgets the trip home for the better part of a year, and his own men have to alert him to his

dreamlike acquiescence in the easy life.

(i) To his credit, he immediately agrees.

Given that Homer works by simple but telling comparisons and contrasts, it is helpful to revisit

the characters of Kalypso and Nausikaa, comparing them with Kirkê.

Kirkê announces that Odysseus must visit the land of the dead to see Teirêsias.

Before the next morning, the young Elpenor gets drunk and falls off the roof to his death.

For now his death seems to go unnoticed.




1. Look back at the encounters with Kikonês, the Lotos eaters, the Kyklopes, Aiolos, the

Laestrygonians, and Kirkê. How do these encounters function as tests, and how do Odysseus and

his men respond?

2. What does the Kyklops episode in particular say about the character of Odysseus?

3. Compare Odysseus' encounter with Kirkê with his encounters with other women thus far.




Overview

he adventures continue as Odysseus holds his listeners spellbound. Like other heroes, he faces

death somehow before the last moments of his life. His trip to the land of the dead offers a

powerful interpretation for what tests he has passed, what tests he has failed, and what tests he

still faces. He deals successfully with the alluring song of the Seirênês, and navigates between Skylla and

Kharybdis. Having already lost eleven of his twelve ships of comrades, he now loses all from his own ship

when they foolishly disobey his orders.

I. The Underworld

The visit to the dead in Book 11 can be as confusing to us as it was to Odysseus. Here are its

major sections:

Elpenor, one of his shipmates

Teirêsias the prophet

Antikleía, Odysseus' mother

Catalogue of famous women

Attempt by Odysseus to break off his account of the

story

Agamémnon, Akhilleus, Aias: old comrades at Troy

Major sinners

Herakles

Elpenor, one of his shipmates: one more comrade lost.

Teirêsias the prophet: as Kirkê foretold, gives warnings

about events to come.

Antikleía:

He questions her about herself, his father, his son,

and his wife. She answers in reverse order (another example of Homeric order mentioned

earlier).

(i) Just as Telémakhos tried to get up to date information about his father, so the father tries

to learn about his family.

T

Tiresias Appears to Ulysses during the

Sacrificing by Henry Fuseli, 1780–85



(ii) Penélopê is holding out. Telémakhos is okay. Laërtês resides in the gardens and weeps

for Odysseus.

It is a heartbreaking encounter, for she died of a broken heart, longing for Odysseus’ return.

(i) This is highlighted by futile attempts at an embrace.

Catalogue of famous women: remember that he was warned to please Arêtê above all. Might this

account be chiefly for her sake?

At this point, Odysseus attempts to break off his account; his audience is so enchanted that they

want him to continue. They offer more gifts for one more day’s stay, and he rather eagerly accepts.

Agamémnon, Akhilleus, Aias: old comrades at Troy.

Agamémnon: advises that Odysseus watch out for women. Trust no woman. Land away from

home in secret.

Akhilleus: live while you can! (This is the reverse of the attitude of Akhilleus of the Iliad.)

Aias, the ally who felt cheated by Odysseus, walks away in proud silence, as he had walked

away from life by suicide in proud silence.

(i) Odysseus cannot repair this broken relationship. How much does that bother him?

The major sinners are Sisyphus and Tantalus: they outraged the gods and are paying the price. A

stern warning, perhaps?

Herakles: a fellow sufferer.

Odysseus ends up running away from the land of the dead. This is not his life.

Overall sense of this visit to the dead: the Odyssey is a poem about embracing life.

Life is like a bright spotlight surrounded by shadow. Live it intensely now. This is a poem

about living life just as the Iliad is a poem about facing life’s limit, death.

Odysseus is "like a singer" and he started this whole “story within a story” by praising good

storytellers.

II. The Seirênês

Heeding the advice of the prophet Teirêsias, Odysseus and his remaining crew go into this

encounter prepared.

Knowing the danger of the Seirenes’ song, the men have their ears plugged.

Only Odysseus will listen, but he has a safe-guard in place: he has himself tied up so that he

cannot move or act under the influence of the song.



It is worth noting that their appeal is less to sex and more to knowledge. It is interesting that we

have dangerous women again.

III. Skylla and Kharybdis

From his conversation with Teirêsias, Odysseus knows what is coming with Skylla and

Kharybdis.

They will have to lose six men (to Skylla) or risk losing all (to Kharybdis).

He will not tell them.

It is interesting that Odysseus loses his cool here and tries to fight back, and almost loses more

men in the process.

Not every monster can be beaten.

IV. Helios’ Cattle

All but Odysseus fail this test.

Again, Odysseus is the victim of sleep while his men are the victims of hunger. Also, they do not

trust him enough.

Helios convinces Zeus to punish them.

Only Odysseus survives.

Odysseus, this time on a remnant of the ship, experiences Kharybdis and just manages to

hang on to a tree until this whirlpool again churns up his raft.

He washes up on Kalypso’s shore.

The adventures consumed perhaps two years.

Kalypso, whose name means ‘hider’ keeps him hidden for seven more years.

This is all after ten years spent at Troy.

V. Summary

We take away from all of these adventures interesting details about the character of Odysseus and

his men.

The others are rather easy victims of hunger and sexuality.

They are also more easily the victims of raw violence.

Like any human, he needs to yield to sleep at times.

He handles the temptation to suicide rather well.



By his own telling, Odysseus’ biggest issues are having once forgotten home, and being

dangerously curious.

It seems like his struggles are pride, humiliation, and leadership.

Now at last the Phaiákians are ready to sail him home.




1. Continue examining Odysseus’ encounters as a series of tests. Consider the Land of the Dead, the

Seirênês, Skylla & Kharybdis, Helios’ cattle, and the storm after leaving Helios’ island. What do

you make of these tests, and how do they fit with the tests discussed previously?

2. What is the significance of what Odysseus hears from Agamémnon and from Akhilleus in the land

of the dead?

3. The visit to the dead in Book 11 can be as confusing to us as it was to Odysseus. Odysseus interacts

with a variety of different people, very different from each other. What do these encounters add to

the story?




Overview

dysseus lands at last on his own island and begins to rebuild his identity with a highly instructive

but wonderfully playful encounter with Athene on the shores of his homeland. Now he faces

not many disparate adventures, but one great challenge with many sides. How can he win back

his home and wife? He starts strategically with a surprising choice: a pig keeper. Be careful––Odysseus

may lie to just about anybody, and the lies here come fast and furious! But somehow the lies always meet

the character and situation at hand.

I. Finally Home

The Phaiákians make good on their promise to take Odysseus home. Odysseus falls asleep.

As is so frequently the case, strange things happen while Odysseus sleeps.

(i) Odysseus is dropped off with his gifts, still sleeping.

(ii) Poseidon, enraged that Odysseus made it home, punishes the Phaiákians by turning their

ship to stone when it is nearly home. It sinks, and they will not give passage to strangers

again.

Odysseus wakes up under an olive tree and has no idea where he is. He does not know he is on

Ithaka!

He checks his gifts to see if the Phaiákians took some of it.

He weeps in despair that he still has not reached Ithaka.

He is visited by Athene, disguised as a young shepherd.

II. The Encounter with Athene

Odysseus immediately begins lying to Athene (in disguise) about who he is, not realizing that she

is tricking him.

His story:

He is from Krete. Someone planned to take his loot, so he ambushed and killed the man.

As a good father, he left provisions for his sons.

He is not to be trifled with, especially over his loot.

He paid Phaiákians to drop him off elsewhere, but this is as far as they could get.

Athene caresses him, drops her disguise, and commends him on with his skill at lying.

O



Two of a kind we are, contrivers.

You and I are both good at

deceiving people. I am Athene.

Odysseus reponds in rather saucy

fashion, saying she loved him once,

but asking where she has been through

his adventures up to the land of the

Phaiákians. “Now I think you’re only

tricking me!”

Athene responds complimenting his

self-restraint and self-possession.

She says she knew he would come

through in the end, and that she did

not wish to oppose Poseidon.

She also lets him know in a

roundabout manner that he is

home.

She then suggests that they hide his loot in a cave and sit under the olive tree to plot.

Athene then leaves to summon Telémakhos home after disguising Odysseus as a beggar.

All of this again brings into question the interference of the gods in the lives of mortals.

III. Eumaios, the Pig Keeper

Why does Odysseus waste so much time on an old pig keeper?

Notice second person address: familiar, trustworthy, crucial.

Not least of Eumaios' qualities is his sense of piety:

(i) Regular appeals to Zeus as god of justice and of the guest.

(ii) He cannot go for two sentences without telling how he misses the dear lord Odysseus

gone to the war and never come back.

The beggar (Odysseus in disguise) offers to bet him that Odysseus is already close by, but

Eumaios will not take the fellow’s offer.

(i) Every beggar that shows up has some story about Odysseus just to try to wheedle a meal.

(ii) Eumaios will feed him because the stranger comes from Zeus.

It is important to note Odysseus tells two lying stories of his history here. The first one was to the

disguised Athene and the second is here to Eumaios. He shapes the lies to the listeners.

Ulysses Transformed by Athena into Beggar by Giuseppe

Bottani (1775)



Again, Odysseus is from Krete. This time, his mother was a slave and he was made for war

and battle.

He achieved high standing even before the Trojan war. After fighting at Troy and enjoying a

little time at home, he took off for Egypt out of lust for action.

In an event almost exactly like Odysseus’ experience with the Kikonês, he and his men were

overcome. In the midst of battle, he managed to embrace the king’s knees and ask for mercy.

He prospered in Egypt but then let himself be taken in by a lying Phaiákian, who planned to

sell him as a slave.

A storm from Zeus destroyed his ship and did that trader in, but he grasped the mast and

floated for ten days. He was rescued by a prince and heard in Thesprotia about Odysseus,

who had just been a guest there.

Look at how well this story fits the audience:

Notice that here the Phaiákians are enemies. We will learn that they betrayed Eumaios.

This story has in it lots of setbacks, suffering, misfortune, and plenty of reference to Zeus for

the religious Eumaios.

There are also admissions of mistakes not to be found in his lying story for Athene.

One last story to get a good cloak to sleep in through the cool night.




1. Respond to the quote, “The shame about Homer's poems is that the gods interfere so much. The

human characters cannot really act on their own. An example is Athene's relationship with

Odysseus. She is always at his side; she seems to take away any spontaneity, individuality, or

responsibility that he might have.” Do you agree, or disagree? Why?

2. How do you picture Athene and Odysseus relating to each other when he wakes up on Ithaka?

3. Why does Odysseus waste so much time on an old pig keeper?

4. Odysseus tells two lying stories of his history here, one to the disguised Athene and another to

Eumaios. How does he shape the lies to the individual listener?




Overview

elemakhos and Odysseus find each other on more than one level. They begin to plot together.

The vast seas of the first half of the poem yield here to the homey details of determining faithful

friends in one's own household, getting a foothold there, testing servants and even one's own

wife. Will this man be able to pull it off at something like 100 to 1 odds?

I. Telémakhos Returns Home

At the start of Book 15, we go with Athene to Telémakhos in Sparta. She tells Telémakhos that it

is time to return home.

She warns him of the ambush. He should go around the other side of the island, get off alone,

and let the men sail around to the city.

He must go to Eumaios first.

Telémakhos kicks Peisistratos awake. The latter, ever the picture of politeness, says they need to

wait to let Meneláos be a good host and send them off in timely fashion later in the day.

Meneláos is the perfect host:

(i) He offers other gifts and has them ready for departure.

(ii) As they are ready to leave, there is a bird omen: an eagle seizes a goose.

(iii) Peisistratos asks Meneláos to interpret. He finds himself speechless, but Helen quickly

offers an interpretation. Odysseus will soon descend on his house to bring retribution to

the suitors.

The boys get Telémakhos aboard and off before Nestor can trap him with more speeches.

Theoklymenos asks for asylum. He happened to kill a cousin, and family members are

pursuing him to kill him in revenge.

Gives Homer a prophet to work with––and reminds the reader that people need to think about

the consequences of their actions.

II. A Series of Recognitions

Meanwhile, Odysseus offers to go to the palace to beg. Eumaios gives further evidence of his

hospitality by declaring it a terrible idea.

We are reminded of how violent and disrespectful the suitors are.

T



His story shows what a gracious family has ruled Ithaka. We learn why Odysseus gave hate

to Phaiákians in his lie to Eumaios.

The Odyssey has now begun a series of scenes in which Odysseus is recognized by others for who

he is. How are the two recognition scenes in Books 13 and 16 different from each other?

Earlier recognitions: Helen in troy; Polyphemus; Phaiákians

III. Plot Development

Now is a good time to step back and compare/contrast the two halves of the poem as we see the

second half developing. For example:

What are the challenges like in either half?

Where does the action take place?

With whom is Odysseus involved?

Who is in opposition to Odysseus?

Which gods are most active?

Amphínomos, a suitor who makes an appearance here.

Telémakhos grows as a character. He continues to show signs of taking up manly responsibility.

Odysseus speaks frequently here about food. How does food fit into what Homer is saying in this

poem?

Omens remind us twice that Odysseus' return and revenge fit somehow with the movement of the

world.

A prophet—Theoklymenos—who joins Telémakhos as a refugee gives Homer yet another

chance to prophesy Odysseus’ return.

Telémakhos arrives safely on Ithaka, bypassing the ambush. Omen interpreted by

Theokymenos confirms that Telémakhos' family will rule.

IV. The Reunion of Father and Son

Odysseus cleverly questions his son about his brothers and the townsmen, and whether they back

Telémakhos against the vicious suitors. Odysseus is testing him.

Father and son sit down to plot as Odysseus and Athene sat and plotted near the shore.

We happen to learn in the meantime that they will be facing 108 opponents.

Telémakhos wonders how they can do it. Odysseus answers that Zeus and Athene will be

fighting with them.

Odysseus will come to the palace as a beggar.



(i) First step: remove weapons the suitors could use.

Messengers get to Penélopê to tell that Telémakhos is back.

Frustrated, the suitors discover that their ambush did not work.

Antínoös wants to find a way to murder Telémakhos now.

Amphínomos, who Homer says meant no ill, counsels them to ask the gods first before such

a drastic action.

Penélopê accuses the suitors of plotting murder, and Eurymachus lies in response.

Penélopê returns to her chamber to do what she seems to do regularly: weep and sleep.

Penelope and the Suitors by John William Waterhouse, 1912




1. Homer uses a variety of interesting similes in this portion of the poem. What do you make of them?

2. The Odyssey has now begun a series of scenes in which Odysseus is recognized by others for who

he is. How are the two recognition scenes in Books 13–16 different from each other?

3. Compare and contrast the two halves of the poem now that we see the second half developing.




Overview

dysseus the strategist walks the first steps towards his home. Homer lingers over others in

Odysseus' household, as he has lingered over the pig keeper outside town. Odysseus has to be

ready for all sorts of encounters: with an insulting goatherd, with a fat old beggar who refuses

to let the disguised Odysseus beg with him, with the old dog whom Odysseus left behind as a puppy two

decades ago. Being the man he is, Odysseus wants to experience for himself the 108 men who have taken

over his household, even while he plots their destruction.

I. Telémakhos’ Return Home

Upon his arrival home, Telémakhos is warmly greeted by Eurýkleia. Penélopê wants to know all

that he experienced, but his curt answer is “Not now,” and that she should pray to Zeus to help

them get revenge. She does so.

When asked about taking charge of the gifts he received from Meneláos by the comrade to

whom he entrusted them, he wisely postpones the handover and mentions that the suitors

could kill him.

(i) The suitor menace that long seemed unclear is clarifying itself rapidly. Their violence is

unmasked.

Penélopê asks again, before the suitors return, what news he may have that could bear on her

decision: should she keep waiting for Odysseus?

Telémakhos makes sure to repeat Meneláos’ apt description of the situation in another great

Homeric simile. He gives her the news Meneláos could report, that as of three years ago

Odysseus was a prisoner on Kalypso’s island.

Several minor characters play a key role in moving us through this book to the climactic events

approaching.

One of them is the prophet Theoclymenos, to whom Telémakhos granted asylum as he left

Pylos. Theoclymenos follows Telémakhos’ report with a prophecy that Odysseus is already

on the island of Ithaka!

II. Odysseus and Melanthios

In the meantime, Odysseus and Eumaios make their way towards the manor.

Homer lingers for a moment on Odysseus’ disguise––the poem has prepared us for it. It is the

same one he had used during the Trojan war, when Helen recognized and encouraged him.

Along the path they encounter another dramatic minor character, the goatherd, Melanthios.

O



He is as despicable as Eumaios the swineherd is praiseworthy.

He no sooner sees Odysseus and Eumaios than he berates and belittles them. He calls this

stranger a pig, a lazy licker of pots that would rather beg than work to fill his belly.

As he passes Odysseus he kicks his hip but does not move Odysseus at all.

(i) Here Odysseus faces a temptation we have seen before and will see again. Should he

restrain himself?

(ii) He did not restrain himself from taunting the blinded kyklops. He had trouble restraining

himself after the taunts of the upstart, Seareach/Euryalus.

(iii) Does he choose to restrain himself here? He does. Eumaios does not and prays that

heaven will return Odysseus to Ithaka to clean up the ugly life that has developed on the

island.

(iv) Melanthios continues his impertinence threatening to sell Eumaios as a slave and

suggesting that Apollo the bowman shoot Telémakhos dead.

III. Argos

We discover one of the most touching of the minor figures, the old dog Argos. He recognizes

Odysseus’ voice, pricks up his ears, and raises his muzzle.

He was a puppy when Odysseus left for Troy and developed into a great hunter. But now he

had grown old and was badly neglected.

As we meet him, he lies on a mass of dung, abandoned and half destroyed by flies.

He tries his best to acknowledge Odysseus’ voice by wagging his tail but cannot get up and

move.

Odysseus notices him and looks away, wiping a tear from his cheek. He praises the dog and

Eumaios answers that he was a great hunter, but that now no one takes care of him. As Eumaios

moves away, Argos dies.

What a great figure! Argos is compelling, despite his short appearance in the story. He also has

similarities with many figures.

First of all, Argos is like Odysseus himself:

(i) The very words Homer used to describe the beggar disguise make Odysseus another

Argos: An old, outcast beggar in tatters.

(ii) He is also like Odysseus in being a great hunter, and we will find homer talking

repeatedly of hunts as the poem moves to its climax. We already heard of Apollo as a

bowman. Homer lets the imagery suggest that Odysseus the strategist is engaged in a

deadly hunt.



Argos is like Laërtês: old, withdrawn, abandoned, as we will see in the poem’s last book.

Like Odysseus’ mother Antikleía, Argos dies pining.

Like Penélopê, he is faithful to Odysseus.

Homer chooses just the right sort of character to greet Odysseus, for this is an important scene of

recognition. Part of the household recognizes the master!

IV. Odysseus’ Return

Odysseus crosses his own threshold and begins to beg for food. We have heard him speak about

food before, for example with Nausikaa and with Arêtê.

As he begs for food, he gets his own experience of the suitors:

(i) He admonishes their leader Antínoös, who throws a footstool at Odysseus, but it only

bounces off his shoulder.

(ii) Again, Odysseus can practice self-restraint, containing his thoughts of bloody work. He

then gives a little sermon on hunger. His theme is that hunger drives men, that hunger

drives him.

(iii) It is clear that food and hunger have an important place in this epic.

When Penélopê hears Antínoös’ threats against the beggar, she prays that Apollo might kill

Antínoös with a bowshot. She then asks Eumaios to bring the new beggar stranger to her.

Eumaios says that his words charm and enchant like those of a minstrel. And he claims to have

news of Odysseus.

As Penélopê wishes again that Odysseus would return, Telémakhos sneezes.

Sneezes in The Odyssey are signs from the gods, coming out of nowhere as they seem to do.

At this encouraging confirmation of her wish, Penélopê laughs.

Odysseus’ response through Eumaios is that it would be better for him to chat with Penélopê

later that evening by the fire.

V. Waiting for Night

Book 18 brings Arnaios onto the scene:

He challenges the disguised Odysseus, whom he thinks is a competing beggar. Odysseus

masters his own doorway.

Amphínomos: gives the prize and congratulations.

Odysseus encourages him to go. He starts to leave, but Athene roots him there: he will pay

the consequences for decisions he has already made.



Penélopê is made extra beautiful and enticing to

the men. How are we to read this woman?

Odysseus commended her as he left, to wait

for a beard to darken Telémakhos’ cheek

and then to marry and move away. That

time is now.

She gets them to offer her more gifts, and

Odysseus laughs at heart to see it.

As evening comes, Odysseus offers to take care

of the fire.

Eurymachus further insults Odysseus and

throws a stool at him. Amphínomos fears further

violence and offers a final round saying that

then they should all go off to bed.

Penelope by Domenico Beccafumi, ca. 1514




1. There are some engaging minor characters in this section. How does Homer use Melanthios, the

goatherd, and Arnaios, the beggar?

2. Odysseus speaks several times in these books on hunger. What does hunger have to do with his

previous experience and with the situation of the suitors?

3. Amphinomus is third in Homer's triad of suitors. What function does he have in the poem?

4. In these books we see references to hunting, to shooting arrows, and to Apollo as a bowman. What

might these references contribute to the poem?




Overview

omer packs dramatic moments around his disguised hero's meeting with his wife. Is she really

faithful to him? As these two characters trade lying stories, Homer himself tells two stories

whose profound meaning we are now ready to comprehend. How was Odysseus named? And

how did he receive the wound that has marked him more than physically? If we are surprised at the clever

way in which Homer inserts these stories at a climactic moment, we may be even more surprised that

Penélopê for the first time in 20 years takes active measures to acquire a husband. There will be a bow-

and-arrow competition tomorrow. How much did she pick up from her interview with the disguised

beggar?

I. The Nighttime Meeting

Odysseus, still disguised as the beggar, orders Telémakhos to remove the suitors' weapons from

the great hall.

He has now taken command of the doorway

and of the fireplace, though only in symbolic

form in both cases. Early Book 18 plays with

fire—including Odysseus' bald pate shining

and a threat of a torch to his behind by the

saucy Melantho. He even gives himself the

lying name "Aithon," "blazer" in his lying

story to Penélopê.

Penélopê waits in her room for the beggar.

She questions him about Odysseus to see

if he speaks accurately.

He describes him with such detail that he

brings her to tears. She subsequently

offers him a bed and a bath.

Do not miss Odysseus’ tribute to himself in his lying story to Penélopê: "No adventurer could

beat Odysseus at living by his wits, no man alive"

II. Another Recognition

Odysseus is bathed by Eurýkleia, his old nurse. Here we find another important recognition event.

Eurýkleia recognizes Odysseus through his disguise because of a scar on his thigh.

H

Odysseus and Penelope by Johann Heinrich

Wilhelm Tischbein, 1802



(i) He received the scar while boar hunting with his grandfather, Autolykus, while he was a

child.

Odysseus convinces her to keep his identity secret.

Penélopê describes a dream to Odysseus, he interprets the dream, but she seems unconvinced and

still says she will marry the next day, whoever can shoot an arrow through the holes in twelve

axes set in a line.

Lovely image of Odysseus tossing and turning like a sausage before Athene tells him to get sleep.

Penélopê likewise tosses and turns—and for the first time talks of suicide.

III. Portents of Doom

Several points feature into this section of the Odyssey, pointing to the inevitability of the suitors’

destruction:

It is a holiday today of Apollo the archer.

Signs from Zeus, such as the thunderclap in a clear sky followed by a maidservant cursing

the suitors.

One more prophecy from Theoklymenos, inescapable doom for the suitors who have

remained antagonistic enough that Odysseus will not give mercy.




1. What light do the stories of Odysseus’ naming and wounding shed on his character?

2. After her conversation with him in Book 19, there are four possible scenarios for whom Penélopê

thinks the “beggar” is:

She has no idea that he is Odysseus.

She has an inkling that he is Odysseus.

She knows perfectly well that he is Odysseus.

She is simply confused.

Which option do you think is most likely and why?




Overview

omer lingers for some moments over concrete things that will have a place in the battle that is

rapidly approaching: Odysseus' bow; the door to the weapons-room and the door to the great

hall; the wine, bread, and meat that the suitors have been consuming unjustly; laughter that

unites Penélopê, Telémakhos, and Odysseus just as tears united them in the poem's early books. Once the

killing starts, Homer is careful to create fitting matchups and then to mark the battle's final stages with

some of his most colorful similes.

I. The Contest

Penélopê declares to the suitors that she will marry the one who can string her husband Odysseus’

bow, and fire an arrow through the hole in twelve axes that have been lined up.

Telémakhos sets up the axes and tries, but fails to string the bow.

In turn, the suitors warm and grease the bow to make it supple, but none are able to string it,

let alone take a shot with the arrow.

(i) The implication is that none are the equal to Odysseus, and the suitors are all unworthy.

Odysseus reveals himself to Eumaios and Philotius and enlists their help in the battle to come.

Returning to the room, Odysseus, still disguised, asks for an opportunity to try the bow.

After Antínoös ridicules Odysseus, Telémakhos steps in and orders Eumaios to give the bow

to the beggar.

Odysseus easily strings the bow and sends his first shot through all twelve axes.

Odysseus strings the bow like a harper—and laughs. We have had laughter from many of

people. He is laughing last and best.

II. The Battle

Flowing straight from Odysseus’ victory in the archery contest in Book 21, the battle for the

palace begins in Book 22.

Immediately after his winning shot, Odysseus shoots another arrow through the throat of

Antínoös.

(i) It is such a sudden move, that the other suitors initially think it has been an accident.

Odysseus reveals himself, and the suitors––unarmed and trapped because the doors have

been locked––become deeply afraid.

H



In a series of importantly planned

matchups, the suitors are killed by

Odysseus and his allies.

Food and drink play an interesting role

in the battle, fittingly, as they have

been important up to the battle.

Athene plays an odd role in the battle:

She encourages Odysseus at a

crucial moment (in disguise as

usual).

She initially leaves the fighting to

Odysseus, Telémakhos, and

company, even allowing them to

take minor wounds (but protecting

them from anything fatal).

(i) This likely serves as a test of

Odysseus’ strength and resolve.

(ii) Once she joins the fight, it ends swiftly.

As you may recall, we have discussed the role of the singer/bard in Homer’s world. There are

only two people spared in the carnage:

The minstrel, Phemios

The herald, Medon

After the battle, Eurýkleia is brought out, and she rounds up the disloyal servant women who are

then hanged.

They are first made to clean the mess from the battle.

They are hanged at the decree of Telémakhos explicitly because that is a more shameful

death than being put to the sword.

Last of all, the traitor Melanthios is tortured and killed.

Odysseus and Telemachus Slaughter the Suitors of Penelope

by Thomas Degeorge, 1812




1. Homer lingers on concrete details in this section. Why does he give such treatment to the bow, the

door, the wine, the laughter, and the bread and meat?

2. How many fitting matchups can you find between killers and victims?

3. Is Odysseus unjustly cruel to some (or all) of his victims?




Overview

dysseus has vanquished his competitors, but has he won back his wife? That task will take more

doing. Homer's way of letting this event happen surprises both readers and Odysseus. There

are, even after this wonderful reunion of husband and wife, the reintegrations of the hero that

still need to take place with his father and with the families of the island. Homer manages to finish the

poem as he began it, with the gods concerned for the great man they find in Odysseus. He is great, but he

is also unusual!

I. The Wedding Bed

Eurýkleia retrieves Penélopê from upstairs––she

slept through the whole fight.

Penélopê seems to disbelieve her own eyes

when she comes down and sees her husband.

Telémakhos rebukes her, but Odysseus has

other problems to worry about.

(i) He just killed a majority of the young

noblemen in Ithaka.

(ii) Odysseus decides that the family ought to

go to Laërtês’ farm to lay low for a little

while (conveniently setting up

Penélopê’s final test for Odysseus).

Upon hearing that they will be leaving for the

farm, Penélopê calls for Eurýkleia to have the

wedding bed moved with them.

Odysseus, realizing the test, flares in anger.

He explains that the bridal bed is immobile, being built out of the trunk of an olive tree, and

that the very house was built around it.

Hearing Odysseus recount this information, Penélopê is finally at ease, knowing that her

husband has returned.

Consider in light of these last events Penélopê’s character.

She is both faithful and clever.

They are kindred spirits because they are kindred wits.

O

Odysseus and Penelope by Francesco Primaticcio,

1563



(i) No suitor could replace Odysseus just as neither Kirkê nor Kalypso could replace

Penélopê.

II. A Brief View of Hades

Book 24 begins with an interesting account of Hermes leading the souls of the suitors to Hades.

Agamémnon and Akhileus argue about their deaths and we have a detailed description of

Akhileus’ funeral.

They see the arrival of the suitors, and Amphimedon gives an account of their defeat, which

he attributes to the indescision of Penélopê.

(i) This gives Agamémnon the occasion to contrast Penélopê and her faithfulness with

Klytaimnéstra and her treachery.

III. The Confrontation at Laërtês’ Farm

Having arrived at Laërtês’ farm with the help of Athene, Odysseus reunites with his father.

Even here, Odysseus does not reveal himself in a straightforward manner, pretending to be

someone who had befriended Odysseus.

Only when Laërtês begins to cry does Odysseus reveal himself.

(i) Odysseus’ lies to his father interestingly tell the truth about him.

(ii) His scar again serves as the proof to his identity.

Meanwhile, rumor of the slaughter reaches the nobles of Ithaka, and they decided to confront

Odysseus at his father’s house.

Athene decides to put an end to the violence.

Only one person, Antínoös’ father, is killed in the confrontation.

(i) He is killed by Laërtês’ spear, in another Homeric confrontational pairing.

Athene causes the Ithakans to forget the massacre and acknowledge Odysseus as king,

restoring peace, with the final admonishment to Odysseus not to “court the rage of Zeus who

rules the world.”

The question of justice is answered at one level but raised at another: he got his justice, but how

will society at large deal with this kind of revenge?



Review Questions

1. Penélopê has been viewed in a variety of ways. What is your closing assessment of her?

2. Some critics think that Book 24 is unnecessary and anti-climactic. Do you agree?

3. In what sense is Odysseus a hero?



Persons & Places: Alternate Spellings

Traditional Fitzgerald (Greek)

Achaeans Akhaians

Achilles Akhilleus

Aeolus (Lord of winds) Aiolos

Agamemnon Agamémnon

Ajax Aias

Alcinous (father of Nausicaa) Alkínoös

Amphinomus (a suitor) Amphínomos

Anticleia (Mother of Odysseus) Antikleía

Antinous (a suitor) Antínoös

Ithaca Ithaka

Charybdis Kharybdis

Cyclops & Cyclopes Kyklops & Kyklopês

Eumaeus (swineherd) Eumaios

Euryalos (challenged Odysseus) Seareach

Eurycleia (Odysseus’ nurse) Eurýkleia



Eurymachus (a suitor) Eurýmakhos

Calypso Kalypso

Cicones Kikonês

Circe Kirkê

Clytemnestra Klytaimnéstra

Laertes (Odysseus’ father) Laërtês

Lotus Eaters Lotos Eaters

Menelaus Meneláos

Nausicaa Nausikaa

Penelope Penélopê

Phaeacians Phaiákians

Sirens Seirênês

Scylla Skylla

Tiresias (prophet in the underworld) Teirêsias

Telemachus (son of Odysseus) Telémakhos



Bibliography

Beye, Charles Rowan. The Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Epic Tradition. Anchor Books, 1966.

Brann, Eva. Homeric Moments: Clues to Delight in Reading the Odyssey and the Iliad. Paul Dry Books,

2002.

Clarke, Howard W. The Art of the Odyssey. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 1989.

Finley, M.I. The World of Odysseus. New York Review Books Classics, 2002.

Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Doubleday, 1961.

Stanford, W.B. The Ulysses Theme. Basil Blackwell, 1963.

Steiner, George, and Robert Fables. Homer: A Collection of Critical Essays. Prentice-Hall, 1962.

Taylor, Charles H. Essays on the Odyssey. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1969.

Documents

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