The Odyssey: Book 23, The Great Rooted Bed Tone: The tone in the beginning of this book is very frantic; it starts out with Eurycleia rushing through the hallways and into Penelope’s room to inform her of the good news. The old nurse tells Penelope that Odysseus is indeed back home to Ithaca. At first Penelope couldn’t believe it but when she was reassured she cry tears of joy. The tone then shifts to a calmer one, even a little harsh.
When Penelope sees Odysseus in person she seems to show no emotion at all. The reason for all this is because she fears the Gods are playing a trick on her or maybe Odysseus is no longer the man he used to be. With these assumptions she keeps a distance from her husband. But then Odysseus proves himself to his wife by describing their bedstead in deep detail, with this Penelope is reassure that Odysseus has not changed after all these years.
The tone then changes to a more happy and joyful one to go along with their reunion as husband and wife. Symbols: The major symbol in book 23 is the wedding bed of Odysseus and Penelope. The bed itself represents the foundation of their love. The symbolism is heightened when Penelope suggests moving it elsewhere as a sort of test. These words hurt and shock Odysseus. He immediately replies by saying how the bed was built from a trunk of an olive tree and that it cannot be moved.
This representing that their love is everlasting and cannot be changed no matter what. Key Passages:” the gods have made you mad. They have that power, putting lunacy into the clearest head around or setting a half-wit on the path of sense. They unhinged you, and you were once so sane. Why do you mock me? – haven’t I wept enough?” (23. 12-16) This was Penelope’s reply to Eurycleia claiming that Odysseus was home.
The Essay on Telemachus Odysseus Penelope Father
Books 1-5 Book 1- In book one we find out that Odysseus is being held by Calypso on the island Ogygia. Odysseus wants to come home to his homeland and see his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. Zeus and Athena have a talk about Odysseus. Telemachus is upset because his father is still not home. Penelope is distraught over Odysseus being gone for so long. The suitors are all after the marriage ...
Through this quote we can see that Penelope is starting to lose hope in Odysseus returning home. When Eurycleia tells her of the news at first she simply dismisses it as the old nurse going crazy.” Come, Eurycleia, move the sturdy bedstead out our bridal chamber-that room the master built with his own hands. Take it out now, sturdy bed that it is, and spread it deep with fleece, blankets and lustrous throws to keep him warm.” (23. 196-202) This was Penelope’s test to Odysseus. Since he’s been way for such a long time she fears he has changed, so she uses this line to test Odysseus. Since the bed represents the back foundation of their love she wanted to see what Odysseus would reply to moving it.” First go and wash, and pull fresh tunics on and tell the maids in the hall to dress well too.
And let the inspired bard take up his ringing lyre and lead off for us all a dance so full of heart that whoever hears the strains outside the gates- a passerby on the road, a neighbor round about will think it’s a wedding feast that’s underway. No news of the suitor’s death must spread through town till we have slipped away to our own estates, our orchard green with trees. There we ” ll see what winning strategy Zeus will hand us then.” (23. 145-157) This is shows another of the book’s many problems that must be solved by brains and tactics rather then just brute strength. In order for Odysseus to defeat the suitors he will have to use deception and stealth rather then face them head on.
