Preparation for battle must include intervention by the gods. The effect of this detail, as well as Telemachus' recitation of the suitors' many violations is to further justify the merciless revenge that is about to take place. Although Telemachus may be emboldened partly because he is aware of his father's presence, this passage also demonstrates that he is now a stronger, more mature prince than the one portrayed early in the epic. Further building the case against the suitors, Telemachus boldly scolds them and catalogues their offenses. Ctesippus takes his turn insulting the disguised king and casts an oxhoof at him. The suitors behave in their usual haughty manner. We remember him from his assault on the beggar/Odysseus during the king's initial trip to town with Eumaeus. The goatherd Melanthius is another disloyal servant. Their trysts with the suitors especially bother him because these are blatant acts of disloyalty toward Penelope. Odysseus hears the maids as they sneak out of the house, giggling in anticipation of another night with their lovers. Homer devotes much of this section to a collection of evidence against the maidservants and suitors. Odysseus is, wisely, uneasy while the suitors go blithely about their usual proceedings, failing to notice the gathering storm. The seer Theoclymenus speaks ominously to them, offering one of their last warnings, but in their arrogance, the suitors respond with derisive laughter.Īs the hour of the battle approaches, the tone is ominous. Telemachus berates the suitors and lists some of their many offenses. One of the lot, Ctesippus, mocks beggar/Odysseus and hurls an oxhoof at the king. The suitors, talking again of assassinating Telemachus, continue their boorish behavior. Eumaeus, the swineherd, continues to earn his master's trust as does Philoetius, a cowherd. Melanthius, the goatherd, is in town for the celebration and again bullies Odysseus. This day is a special holiday on Ithaca, a festal celebration in honor of Apollo, god of archery. Odysseus prays to Zeus for a sign of support and is answered by a thunderclap. He imagines (20.105) that she recognizes him and that they are together at last. Penelope's room is nearby, and at dawn, he hears the end of her prayer for death if she cannot join her husband. Suddenly Athena appears and assures him of vengeful victory. He angrily notices the maidservants as they sneak out to meet their lovers among the suitors. Odysseus spends a restless night worrying about the impending battle.
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