Odysseus’ Return

TELEMACHUS

Put yourself in Telemachus’ shoes. Telemachus has just arrived home after journeying to meet yhis father’s fellow warriors, King Nestor and King Menelaus. They have filled him with stories of his father’s greatness. Telemachus has journeyed to two different islands safely. He is becoming a man. But now Telemachus must still face the suitors’ disruptive behavior, his mother’s sadness, and his own longing for his father.

How does Athena help both father and son?

Odysseus’ Plan to Attack Suitors Odysseus is disguised as an old beggar. Telemachus must keep Odysseus’ homecoming a secret, even from Penelope. Telemachus cannot react violently to the suitors’ tormenting of Odysseus. Telemachus must take and hide the suitors’ arms and lie about why he has done so. Weapons were getting dirty near fire If you get drunk, you could hurt each other. - Store two swords and two shields for Odysseus and himself - TRUST IN ATHENA AND ZEUS TO HELP THEM

Why do you think Homer includes the “Argus” episode? How does Argus’ behavior contrast with the behavior of the suitors? Include two details from each episode.

Put yourself in Penelope’s shoes.

Meet Penelope: Clever like her husband, Penelope devises two plans to protect herself from having to marry one of the suitors. Explain each:

Dramatic Irony = When the audience knows more than a character.

Odysseus’ Revenge 1. Does Odysseus’ plan work? 2. How do the suitors react? 3. Does Telemachus serve his father well? 4. What does this mean for Penelope?

1. Be prepared to discuss Penelope’s cleverness once again. 2. Be prepared to discuss the central symbol of this episode.

Put yourself in Penelope’s shoes. Consider how the speakers of Dorothy Parker and Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poems feel about Penelope and Odysseus.