Book 17 - Odyssey goes into the town Flashcards
Book 17
What happens at the start of the chapter
- Telemachus leaves Odysseus at Eumaeus’s hut and heads to his palace, where he receives a tearful welcome from Penelope and the nurse Eurycleia
Book 17
Once Theoclymenus is in the palace, what talk is there of Odysseus
- In the palace hall he meets Theoclymenus and Piraeus.
- He tells Piraeus not to bring his gifts from Menelaus to the palace; he fears that the suitors will steal them if they kill him
- When he sits down to eat with Penelope, Telemachus tells her what little news he received of Odysseus in Pylos and Sparta, but he doesn’t reveal that he has seen Odysseus with his own eyes in Eumaeus’s hut.
Book 17
What does Theoclymenus reveal in the Palace
- Theoclymenus then speaks up and swears that Odysseus is in Ithaca at this very moment
Book 17
What happens when Eumaeus and Odysseus set out toward town in Telemachus’s footsteps
- On the way they meet Melanthius, a w/c, less well-off suitor, who heaps scorn on Eumaeus and kicks his beggar companion
Book 17
What is Odysseus’ reaction to Melanthius assaulting him
- he has to use a lot of self-control, in order to preserve his kleos
Book 17
What happens when Odysseus arrives at the palace
- Telemachus sends food to him
- The suitors give him food with great reluctance, and Antinous goes out of his way to insult him
Book 17
Describe how the riff between Odysseus & Antinuous escalates
When Odysseus answers insult with insult, Antinous gives him a blow with a stool that disgusts even the other suitors.
High words pass between Antinous and Eumaeus.
Telemachus draws the anger of Antinous upon himself.
Odysseus asks a dole of Antinous, and is repulsed with taunts.
Antinous hurls a stool at Odysseus, whose protest touches even the
suitors with shame
Book 17
Antinous hurls a …… at Odysseus,
Antinous hurls a stool at Odysseus
Book 17
How do the rest of the suitors react to Antinuous hurling a stool at the beggar
- deeply shocked at such sinful behaviour
- believe his actions could be blasphemous, & disrespectful to the Gods
- (ironic forewshadowing, divine intervention, sel-reflection)
Book 17
How does Penelope react to Antinuous throwing a stool at the beggar
- Report of this cruelty reaches Penelope, who asks to have the beggar brought to her so that she can question him about Odysseus
Book 17
How does the chapter end
- Odysseus, however, doesn’t want the suitors to see him heading toward the queen’s room
- Eumaeus announces that he must return to his hut and hogs, leaving Odysseus alone with Telemachus and the suitors
