Book 16 - Odysseus meets his son Flashcards
1
Q
Book 16
What happens when Telemachus reaches Eumaeus’ hut?
A
- He finds the swineherd talking with a stranger (Odysseus in disguise)
- Eumaeus recounts Odysseus’s story and suggests that the stranger stay with Telemachus at the palace
- But Telemachus is afraid of what the suitors might do to them
- Eumaeus thus goes to the palace alone to tell Penelope that her son has returned
2
Q
Book 16
What happens when Odysseus & Telemachus are alone together in the hut?
A
- When father and son are alone in the hut, Athena appears to Odysseus and calls him outside
- When Odysseus reenters the hut, his old-man disguise is gone, and he stands in the pristine glory of his heroic person
- At first, Telemachus cannot believe his eyes, but then the two embrace and weep
3
Q
Book 16
What plan does Odysseus come up with alone with Telemachus
A
- Odysseus recounts his trip with the Phaeacians and then begins plotting the overthrow of the suitors:
- To launch a surprise attack from within the palace: Odysseus will enter disguised as a beggar and Telemachus will hide the palace’s surplus arms where the suitors cannot easily reach them.
- The two of them will then seize the arms and slaughter the suitors.
4
Q
Book 16
What happens before Eumaeus can give Penelope news of Telemachus’ return
A
- the messenger from the ship arrives and informs the entire palace that Telemachus has returned
5
Q
Book 16
What is the suitors reaction to Telemachus’ return
A
- When the entire palace is informed that Telemachus has returned, the suitors, dejected that their plot has failed, huddle outside to plan their next move
6
Q
Book 16
How does Antinuous partake in the suitors new plan following Telemachus’ return
A
- Antinous recommends putting Telemachus to death before he can call an assembly at which the suitors’ dirty schemes can be aired
7
Q
Book 16
How does Amphinomus partake in the suitors new plan following Telemachus’ return
A
- Amphinomus, one of the more thoughtful and well-behaved suitors, persuades the others to wait for a sign from the gods before doing anything so rash
8
Q
Book 16
What happens when Penelope finds Antinuous
A
- Penelope later finds Antinous in the palace and denounces him for the plot against her son, the details of which Medon had overheard and revealed to her in Book 4
- Eurymachus succeeds in calming Penelope down with his lies and false concern for the safety of Telemachus
