Book 23 summary Flashcards
How does this book start?
Eurykleia tells Penelope that Odysseus has finally come home and killed the suitors.
She mentions the scar on Odysseus’ leg as proof, but Penelope refuses to believe her story
What does Penelope do when she receives the news Odysseus is home?
She comes downstairs to speak to him, and notices that he looks like Odysseus but also like the beggar.
What does Odysseus tell Telemachus to do as Penelope considers him?
To make it appear as if the palace is celebrating a wedding, as he wants to keep it a secret that he killed most of the high-born young men in Ithaca
What does Athena do to Odysseus?
Changes Odysseus back into a handsome younger man
What does Odysseus say to Penelope?
He chides her for her cold welcome and tells Eurykleia that he’ll sleep alone
How does Penelope test Odysseus?
She tells Eurykleia to bring Odysseus their bed
Odysseus cries out angrily that the bed can’t be moved because its built into a tree- this proves his identity- Penelope cries and embraces him
What does Odysseus warn Penelope of?
That he must make one more long, dangerous journey before he can settle down in peace
What journey must Odysseus make?
He must travel to a land far from any sea, plant an oar, and sacrifice animals to Poseidon
What does Odysseus say to Penelope before he leaves the next day?
He tells her to stay with her maids in her room, in case men come to avenge the suitors.
Then he sets out with Telemachus, the swineherd, and the cowherd
