In the Odyssey, Odysseus was portrayed as an epic hero determined to get back to his homeland, Ithaca. Through out his journeys his crew and him were presented with many challenges and disasters that delayed his return home. While he was gone suitors were coming to his home everyday to try to win over Penelope and become the king of Ithaca. The suitors took advantage of everything they could while Odysseus was gone. Everyday the suitors returned to his home and dined and feasted at Odysseuss expense. Many affairs were going on between the servants and the suitors along with the suitors trying to kill Telemachus to get him out of they of stopping them from marrying Penelope. Odysseus is now in Ithaca where he is going to meet with Telemachus to discuss their plan on how to defeat the suitors.
His son does not recognize him as his father but Odysseus presents his anger as a stranger, Friendsurely its right for me to say a word at this point. My heart, by god, is torn to pieces hearing this, both of you telling how these reckless suitors, there in your own house, against your will, plot your ruin(Book 16:101-105).
The suitors have been at his house for many years taking advantage of his home, food, wine and gifts. While they are doing this, the suitors are plotting to kill Telemachus to get him out of the picture. Odysseus still can reveal his identity to anyone because it would ruin the plan that he has set up to get back to his home, but hearing this news about the suitors in his house and using his royalties just enrages even more. Through out his journey home he knew this would be happening, but there was nothing he could do because of his delays and setbacks.
The Essay on The Odyssey Home Odysseus Telemachus Father
Everyone has a home. Regardless of its location, it is a place of acceptance and belonging. In a sense it's where the heart is. Though in The Odyssey, the concept of home is blurry and for the most part incomplete, it is the most important thing to Odysseus, and he is willing to go through utter hell to return to his home. Telemachus and Penelope reside in an incomplete home. In book one ...
This just increased his rage for the suitors. Now the plan is set with Telemachus on what is going to happen with the suitors and how he is going to reveal himself to Penelope. He disguises himself as a beggar and attends the dinners with the suitors. When he is their, many uprisings start between a few of the suitors and him. One in particular was with suitor, Eurymachus, who was having an affair with one of Penelopes maidservants, Melantho. Eurymachus is enraged by the beggar/Odysseus that he throws a stool at him, Odysseus gets mad but the event is ended with the intervention of Telemachus and Amphinomus.
This is not the only instance of a suitor having an affair with Penelopes maidservant, this is occurring with many other suitors and maidservants which is increasing the hate that Odysseus has for the suitors. When Odysseus is in the palace spending the night getting ready for the match to determine who the suitor will be to marry Penelope, he notices the maidservants as they sneak out to meet their lovers among the suitors. The maidservants having affairs with the suitors bother him because these are blatant acts of disloyalty toward Penelope. He also has a talk with Melantho who tells him, You still here?-you pest, slinking around the house all night, leering up at the women? Get out you tramp-be glad of the food you got-or well sling a torch at you, rout you out at once! (Book19:71-75), which shows him how much disrespect the servants have. Eventually Odysseus will kill these servants for their disrespect to Penelope and Odysseus. Odysseus does have some sense of caring though while he is enraged at the situation because he advises Amphinomus that he must get out while he can, Amphinomus, you seem like a man of good sense to me, I say hes right at hand-and may some power save you, spirit you home before you meet him face to face the moment he returns to native ground!(Book 18:145-169).
Amphinomus does not take this advice from the beggar/Odysseus and it will later affect him when Odysseus kills him.
The Essay on Letter To Odysseus
Dear Great Odysseus, I am your son Telemachus. You were off at the Trojan War when I was just a baby. I am writing this letter hoping that you are still alive. Here in Ithaca things are not going good. Penelope, my lovely mother, has been plagued by the suitors. The suitors have taken over our house. They have stayed here too long and need to leave, but they refuse. Each of them is trying to marry ...
Another point that makes Odysseus mad is when Eurymachus tries to persuade the beggar/Odysseus to work for him picking the stones or planting trees on his estate. Odysseus responds to this by saying, Youre sick with pride, you brutal fool. No doubt count yourself a great powerful man because you sport with a puny crowd,If only Odysseus came back home and stood right here, in a flash youd find these doors-broad as they are-to safety through the porch! (Book 18:431-436).
This advice coming from Odysseus as a beggar is trying to advice Eurymachus of what is going to happen to him, but since Eurymachus is stubborn he brushes this off coming from a beggar and then this enraged Eurymachus to throw the stool at Odysseus, which missed. Telemachus and Odysseus plot their plan of attack for how he is going to reveal himself and kill all the suitors. Telemachus stores weapons in a secret place for the attack on the suitors. When the day comes for the test of the bow and arrow, the suitors try and fail to string the bow.
Then the beggar Odysseus comes up and strings the bow, when the suitors see this they are going to try to kill the beggar for fear that he will win and Penelope. After Odysseus shoots it through the 12 axes he starts the battle and proceeds to kill Antonius, the leader of the suitors. This brings mass confusion and some suitors try to beg Odysseus to spare them, which doesnt work well and everybody gets killed. In the defense of Odysseus for killing the suitors and servants, there are many reasons for his choice and acts. Through out his journey home the suitors where taking advantage of his wealth and trying to win Penelope, while at the same time plotting to kill Telemachus who was preventing any marriages. When he arrives as a beggar he sees how much the suitor disrespect Odysseus as a beggar and try to get rid of him which only enrages him even more. Another thing to ad to it is the affairs that were going on between the maidservants and the suitors. All of these are typical reasons why an epic hero like Odysseus would act that way to protect his homeland, kingdom, wife and son. After many of his journeys and encounters he has gained great rage and anger which hightens quickly on account for his experiences and what he witnessed as a beggar at his palace.
The Essay on Odysseus: The Qualities of a Hero
“The Odyssey” by Homer is one of the most recognized epics in world literature. It traces the decade-long journey of Odysseus back to Ithaca after he fought in the Trojan War. He was able to survive the dangerous ten-year voyage which he experienced and safely arrive home. Indeed, Odysseus is a truly admirable character, but what what makes him especially laudable is his physical strength, ...
Bibliography: The Odysseey.
