The Odyssey Book XXIV Odysseus Laertes

Hermes leads the recently slaughtered suitors down to Hades. They pass by the Asphodel meadow. Agamemnon and Achilles are hanging out and talking.

Agamemnon tells Achilles about his death and funeral. Thetis and the other sea nymphs come to mourn Achilles. All the gods were saddened and donated gifts to adorn Achilles’ tomb Achilles is mourned for 17 days, and is burned solemnly on the 18 th Agamemnon ensures him that he was remembered, and that his name will live on. Agamemnon is slightly jealous that Achilles got to die honorably in Troy, while he was murdered. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France Thetis and the Nereids mourning Achilles. Corinthian black-figure hydria, 560/50 BC.

Agamemnon sees Amphimedon (one of the sutors). Amphimedon is the son of Melaneos who is a guest-friend of Agamemnon. Agamemnon asks how Amphimedon died. Amphimedon tells the story of Odysseus’s return Agamemnon then praises the loyalty and steadfastness of Penelope and reiterates his scorn for the traitorous Clytemnestra One artist’s version of Agamemnon

Back to the “real” world Odysseus travels to the groves of Laertes. He tells a Sicilian servant woman to prepare a feast inside the hut that adjoins the vineyard. Like many older men Laertes is engrossed in tending his garden and too busy to notice Odysseus. Odysseus watches him for some time (a single tear rolling down his oily cheek). He debates whether he should just come up and embrace his father, or prolong the reunion by lying to him.

He Chooses to Lie (didn’t see that coming) Odysseus pretends to be a man from Alybas He comments that his father looks like a king and wonders why he is working in the grove. He tells Laertes that he and Odysseus are guest-friends, and that he last saw Odysseus five years ago. At this a “black cloud of grief” covered the old man. Laertes is so upset he picks up handfuls of dust from the ground and begins pouring them over his head in lamentation.

On the Threshold of Eternity (Old Man in Sorrow) Vincent Van Gogh

Odysseus can not take it anymore. He reveals himself and leaps forward to kiss his beloved father. But Laertes doesn’t believe him (serves him right..the liar) Odysseus shows him his scar. Odysseus relates the story of how Laertes taught him the names of trees when he was young, and how Laertes gave him trees of his very own.

Laertes believes him and they embrace. The old king immediately gets down to business. He asks Odysseus what he plans to do about the relatives of the suitors. Odysseus tells him not to worry. He leads Laertes to the house for a feast. Laertes bathes and (with the help of Athena) comes out looking like a god. Dolios an old farmhand, and his sons come in from the field. They greet Odysseus and kiss his hands. Dolios makes sure that Odysseus has told Penelope of his return. Odysseus tells him not to worry about it, that he took care of it.

Meanwhile… A Council is summoned to discuss what is to be done about the whole dead suitor situation. Eupeithes (father of Antinoos) argues for vengence. Medon says that the suitors’ death was the will of the gods. Halitherses blames the men for not doing anything to stop the suitors’ evil deeds back when Telemachos first addressed them. Eupeithes (“the good persuader”) convinces half of the assembled men to take vengeance upon Odysseus and leads them out.

The Pnyx in Athens. Meeting place of the Athenian council. The speaker’s platform on the Pnyx

Athena has about had it. She asks Zeus why he is going to let even more violence upon Odysseus and Ithaca. Zeus reminds Athena that it was by her design that Odysseus came back and murdered the suitors. Should she be surprised when people get upset? Zeus tells Athena to do what she wants about the situation. But he advises that the men should be induced to swear oaths of peace with each other. So Athena hurries down Mt. Olympus to get to Odysseus before Eupeithes and his men.

Athena comes to Odysseus and his crew (Dolios and sons, Telemachos and Laertes) Eupeithes and his men are drawing near. Athena gives great strength to Laertes and he kills Eupeithes with his spear. Odysseus and Telemachos fall upon the other men Athena shouts and the men are afraid and begin to run away.

Athena orders the men to stop fighting. Odysseus doesn't listen, of course, and Zeus hurls a lightning bolt. This gets Odysseus to stop and calm down. Athena bids Odysseus to stop fighting. In the guise of Mentor Athena helps make peace amoung the Ithacans.