The Odyssey Homer The Return of Odysseus

The Return Odysseus is alone when he reaches Ithaca In part 2, Odysseus tests people to see if they've remained loyal to him Part 2 is about the difficulties Odysseus faces returning home to a civilized society after being gone for 20 years. Dissemble – v. put on an appearance or disguise Incredulity – n. doubt Bemusing – adj. confusing; bewildering Epic Simile – a long comparison over many lines

Who's who? Telemachus - Odysseus' son Penelope - Odysseus' wife Eumaeus - the swineherdn and Odysseus' friend Athena - goddess of wisdom, skills and warfare Argus - Odysseus' dog Antinous - leader of the suitors Eupeithes - Antinous' son Eurynome - Penelope's housekeeper Eurymachas and Amphinomus - suitors

Argus Argus had been left abandoned, half destroyed with flies Odysseus recognizes Odysseus voice but is too weak to get up Odysseus cries but conceals his tears from Eumaeus "Death and darkness closed the eyes of Argus, who had seen his master Odysseus, after twenty years."

The Suitors Odysseus is still disguised as a beggar when Antinous berates/insults him. Antinous is rude and violates his culture's rules regarding hospitality. The disguised Odysseus points out Antinous' selfish and inappropriate behavior. Eupeithes points out that gods can travel in human form and punish those who do not treat them well (referring to Antinous) Penelope and Eurynome wish Antinous (especially)and the others dead

Penelope Penelope questions the old beggar Odysseus tells Penelope that he is a wanderer with a past too painful to reveal - "Do not force me to recall my pain." Penelope tells Odysseus that she delayed marriage for three years because she said that she needed to complete her dead husband's shroud. She wove the shroud by day and unraveled it each night. Penelope again questions that beggar and Odysseus informs her that her husband will be home soon. "...Odysseus will come." Equity – fair; justice

The Challenge Penelope says that she will marry whoever can string Odysseus' bow and shoot an arrow through twelve ax handle sockets The suitors joked among themselves about Odysseus' skill/knowledge about shooting an arrow. Odysseus' skill is compared to a musician with a harp when he shoots the arrow on page 1104 (Epic Simile) Odysseus wins the challenge

Odysseus' Revenge Antinous is the most obnoxious suitor and the first to insult Odysseus; therefore, Odysseus kills Antinous without giving him the chance to fight back. Odysseus is angry because the suitors have plundered his home and tried to take his wife while he was gone. They have also dishonored the gods by disregarding their authority as well as by showing them contempt. Odysseus, helped by Athena, Telemachus, Eumaeus, and other faithful herdsmen kill all the suitors Contempt – n. Distain; scorn

Penelope's Test Penelope tests Odysseus by making him think she has moved his bed Odysseus passes her test when he reveals that the bedpost was hewn from an Olive tree and could not be moved except by a god or goddess. Penelope shows prudence and loyalty to Odysseus even when he removes his disguise. Due to the trials and tribulations of his journey, the ending has a melancholy (sad ) tone rather than happy and joyful one. Maudlin – adj. tearfully and foolishly sentimental

Terms/Vocabulary: Page 1088 Epic Simile Historical and Cultural Context The six vocabulary words