The Odessey Book 19

Question 1

What was the first instruction Odysseus gave Telemachus in Book 19?

Answer 1

He told Telemachus to hide the suitor’s weapons

Question 2

What did Telemachus instruct Eurycleia to do?

Answer 2

To shut the women in their rooms and lock the doors

Question 3

What happens when Melantho is attacking Odysseus? [2]:

Answer 3

• Penelope came to defend him even though he was a mere beggar in her palace
• This presents Penelope as loving and compassionate, a wife befitting of Odysseus

Question 4

What questions does Penelope ask Odysseus? [4]:

Answer 4

“Stranger, I must first ask you. Who are you and where do you come from? What is your city, and who are your parents”

Question 5

What happens after Penelope asks Odysseus her questions? [3]:

Answer 5

• Odysseus offers convincing evidence that he knew her husband
• Penelope seems suspicious about his identity
• She then assigns Eurycleia the duty of bathing Odysseus, her guest

Question 6

How does Eurycleia recognise Odysseus?

Answer 6

• She recognises a scar on Odysseus’ leg

- He received the scar from a white-tusked boar when hunting on Parnassus when he was younger

Question 7

How did Odysseus receive his scar?

Answer 7

He received the scar from a white-tusked boar when hunting on Parnassus when he was younger

Question 8

Who named Odysseus and what was the meaning behind it? [3]:

Answer 8

• Autolycus( Odysseus’ grandfather
• “Then let this child be named Odysseus, man of suffering”
• The name Odysseus is thought to be derived from the Greek word odyssomai which means ‘to hate’

Question 9

What creates tension after Eurycleia discovers Odysseus’ identity? [3]:

Answer 9

• Euryclia almost reveals Odysseus’ disguise to Penelope
• However, Athena distracts Penelope while Odysseus warns Eurycleia not to do so
• This may be a plot device to regain the audience’s attention to this exciting tale

Question 10

What does Penelope tell Odysseus after his bath? [2]:

Answer 10

• After the bath, Penelope rejoins the beggar/Odysseus and reveals that she will conduct a contest the following day to select a husband and satisfy the suitors
• The challenge involves a feat that only Odysseus has performed before: stringing his great bow and shooting an arrow through a straight row of twelve axes. Odysseus enthusiastically approves of her plan

Question 11

Book 19 analysis [4]:

Answer 11

• This section of the epic is primarily concerned with the question of Odysseus’ identity
• Scholars often debate whether or not Penelope is aware that it is her husband standing beside her
• Some argue that Penelope is unaware as a woman’s intellect was not valued in greek society
• On the other hand, some scholars believe that Penelope is a unique woman by mycenaean standards as she is often referred to as ‘wise Penelope’ and even had the capacity to trick the suitors for several years