While the cyclops is out with his sheep, Odysseus sharpens a piece of wood into a stake and hardens it in the fire. In the morning, the cyclops must let his sheep out to graze. Poseidon is more powerful than Athena, and he has a higher rank amongst the gods. He does everything he can to prevent Odysseus from returning home. Odysseus wants revenge on the suitors. They have wasted a lot of his wealth, by living at his expense during his absence.
More importantly, by taking advantage of his absence, the suitors have insulted Odysseus and damaged his reputation. Odysseus lives by the heroic code of kleos , or fame, which values reputation above everything else. The suitors make things worse for themselves by mistreating Odysseus when he arrives at his palace disguised as a beggar. In the world of The Odyssey , hosts have an obligation to treat their guests well.
Whenever he can, Odysseus punishes hosts who break this rule. Penelope has not seen her husband for many years. She tests Odysseus by ordering her servant Eurycleia to move their marriage bed. Odysseus gets angry. She asked the beggar, who claimed to have come across the hero, about the fate of Odysseus.
It is implied that Penelope, being Odysseus' equal in mind, suspected the beggar's true identity. Penelope's second test was meant to undoubtedly prove to all parties that Odysseus had returned.
Choosing a competition of arms gave Odysseus a strong advantage over the inexperienced suitors. Penelope likely considered this prior to assigning the test. He, therefore, asks his son to create the illusion of a wedding feast in the great hall so that anyone passing by will think that one of the suitors has succeeded and not suspect that they have been slaughtered.
Giving Telemachus this assignment not only gives Odysseus time alone with Penelope, but it also demonstrates his faith in the maturing prince.
A few responsibilities remain. Odysseus must visit his father, Laertes, who has suffered emotionally from his son's long absence; the families of the suitors will have to be dealt with to avoid civil war; and, sometime, Odysseus must fulfill the prophecy of Tiresias, spoken at the Land of the Dead: The king must walk inland, from a foreign shore, carrying a well-planed oar until he finds people who know nothing of the sea.
When someone mistakes the oar for a fan that winnows grain, Odysseus is to plant the oar and sacrifice a ram, a bull, and a wild boar to Poseidon. He can then return home, make offerings to the gods, and live out a peaceful life. By the time of The Odyssey, she is the somewhat matronly queen of Sparta and content to be the wife of King Menelaus. Previous Book Next Book Related documents. The Odyssey Part 3 and 4 Study Guide. The Odyssey. Poetry Connection: Penelope.
Consider: How is Penelope portrayed? Pay close attention to: 1. Download advertisement.
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