The Odyssey Read-Along @ Plethora of Books
Book XVII
Telemachos arrives home and Penelope bursts into tears when she beholds her beloved son. Telemachos begs her not to "stir up a scene of sorrow" and as he walks through the palace, Athene "drifts an enchantment of grace upon him." The suitors appear to welcome him, while all the while planning his destruction, but Telemachos avoids them. Peiraios, brings the guest from the ship, and speaks to Telemachos about bringing the gifts from Menelaos, but Telemachos bestows the gifts upon him and ensures that the stranger is treated well. Telemachos relates his travels to Penelope
and the portents for the destruction of the suitors and the return of Odysseus,
whereupon the stranger, Theoklymenos, supports Telemachos' story with
confirmation of the omen. The
suitors are amusing themselves before they turn to feasting, and Odysseus starts
out for his home, on the way meeting Melanthios who is driving his goats and
who taunts Odysseus with words indicating his sympathy with the suitors. He tries to knock Odysseus down but is
resisted, and they exchange heated words before Melanthios leaves for the palace
to sit with his favourite, Eurymachos.
When the two reach the palace, Odysseus bids Eumaios to go inside while he
waits outside, yet his dog, Argos, recognizes his master after 19 years (wow, a
nineteen-year-old dog!).
Telemachos immediately spies Eumaios, gives him some food to take to
“the stranger” and asks that "the stranger" beg from the other suitors as
well. Antinoös chastises Eumaios
for bringing "the stranger" and Telemachos chides both of them. When Odysseus reaches Antinoös, he compliments him to get a bigger
portion, then spins an elaborate story.
Antinoös becomes angry with him, they have words and Antinoös hurls a
footstool at Odysseus, striking him on the right shoulder. Not only Odysseus protests but so do
the others, concerned that they are not showing the proper guest-host
relationship, as one never knows if one is entertaining a man or a god in
disguise. Penelope hears of the
intemperate treatment of “the stranger” and summons him to her but Odysseus
says he will come to her after the sun has set. Eumaios returns to his pigs but Telemachos instructs him to
return in the morning.
Know Your Enemies
Telemachos cleverly advises his father
to go begging from each of the suitors.
This act ensures that Odysseus will have better knowledge of his enemies
when the time comes to strke. It
is interesting to note that Athene must prompt Odysseus to go begging, perhaps
evidence that the ruler of Ithaka’s pride has not been completely subdued, even
if it means gaining the upper hand.
Self-Control
Odysseus, on his way, is able to practice
his self-control before he reaches the suitors. He does not react to Melanthios’ striking him, and
even holds his temper against further verbal abuse. This practice allows him to control his anger against
Antinoös when he reaches the palace, when Antinoös strikes him with a footstool. I can imagine that the anger is
building inside him and the suitors will pay horribly for their rash actions.
Sneezes
What
is the implication of Telemachos’ sneezes?
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| Odysseus Recognized by his Dog Theodoor van Thulden source Wikipaintings |
Book XVIII
A beggar, Arnaios or Iros, challenges
Odysseus, and Antinoös helps to stir up the situation. Odysseus elicits a promise from the suitors, not to interfer
in their fight but when the suitors see his massive limbs, they predict a possible surprise outcome, and Iros is not so willing to fight, having to be
pushed on by the suitors. Odysseus
decides not to kill him but instead to lightly hit him and manages to break the
bones in his neck, whereupon the beggar sinks to the ground, kicking and
bleating. The suitors laugh at his
plight. Amphinomos gives Odysseus
his reward of meat and Odysseus compliments him, prophesying his
fate through a speech, and Amphinomos is apprehensive. Penelope, now graced by Athene with further charms, descends
and takes the suitors to task for their ill-treatment of guests, as well as
her son who admits that he does not always take the wise course. Eurymachos tries to bring the subject
around to the wedding of Penelope but she deflects his words with a story of
Odysseus and tricks them into offering gifts, which pleases her husband mightily. The suitors give them willingly but Antinoös
reminds her that they will not leave until she chooses a husband. As night comes, Odysseus offers
to keep the lights lit for the serving women but one, Melantho, mocks and
derides him, until he threatens her with dismembering, whereupon all the women
scuttle away. Eurymachos then
takes up the mocking of Odysseus, who counters with insults until Eurymachos
tosses a footstool at him, hitting the cupbearer instead. This act incurs the wrath of Telemachos
who gives them such a set-down, they are amazed at his bravado. Amphinomos upbraids them for their actions,
saying that they must treat guests properly; they drink to the gods and then
each goes home to bed.
Deception and Truth
We have already seen the numerous crafty
deceptions of Odysseus, and in this chapter Penelope echoes her husband’s
trickery, cunningly wheedling out of the suitors, numerous gifts for their
household. Telemachos, however,
not only speaks with authority but appears to avoid falsity. Most of his speeches are direct and truthful.
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| Odysseus Fighting with the Beggar Lovis Corinth (1903) source Wikipaintings |
You are doing great with this one! Are you enjoying it?
ReplyDeleteOoooh, yes! Absolutely! I love Greek literature, something that I never expected. This time reading it, I'm picking up more of the cultural references, along with some curious behaviour from our hero (greed, lack of effort to return home at times, etc.). I'll like to read some commentaries on it next, or should I say, when I get an opening in my reading schedule ……. a long time from now ……. ;-)
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