Book 20 summary

Question 1

How does this book start?

Answer 1

• Odysseus lies awake and worries about fighting an entire crowd of suitors- and the crowds that will come to avenge their deaths
• Athena reassures him and helps him fall asleep
• Penelope also lies awake and wishes for death

Question 2

Why did Penelope wish for death?

Answer 2

• She say death as better than the infidelity she fears will be forced upon her

Question 3

What does Penelope’s crying do?

Answer 3

• It awakens Odysseus, who asks Zeus for a good omen,
• Right away, he sends a clap of thunder.

Question 4

What happens the next morning?

Answer 4

• Eurykleia instructs the maids to clean and decorate the house for the feast to be held during the archery contest
• Odysseus is insulted by Melanthius , but ignores him and speaks with Eumaeus

Question 5

What omen happens in the morning?

Answer 5

An eagle flies by with a dove in its claws

• Amphinomus convinces the suitors to stop plotting against the prince and start feasting again

Question 6

What does Athena want to do to Odysseus and how does she do it?

Answer 6

• She wants to rouse Odysseus’ anger
• She inspires Ctesippus to fling a hoof at him
• Telemachus loudly chastises the suitor, but Odysseus remains calm
• Another suitor urges Telemachus to convince Penelope to take a husband, and Telemachus refuses

Question 7

What does Athena do to the suitors?

Answer 7

• She makes them break into mad, hysterical laughter.
• Theoclymenus points out dark omens: blood on the walls, ghosts at the doors, a mist that covers the sun
• The suitors mock Theoclymenus, and insult Odysseus again

ANALYSIS:
- The suitors are frightened by te morbid signs, but they keep up their mocking and insulting, as Athena forces them to be the worst version of themselves