Like a tree, solid and long-lasting, Odysseus and Penelope refuse to uproot themselves and join with another partner to create a new family. Asked by lola a #336413 on 10/8/2013 10:16 PM This, she says, could never happen if Odysseus came back. When Odysseus takes up the bow and effortlessly strings it, the suitors' attitude changes to one of shock. Recognizing the beggar to be Odysseus himself, Eurycleia turns to Penelope to tell her that Odysseus has returned. She tells the guests about Odysseus's conquest of Troy: he stole into the city disguised as a beggar, killed many Trojans, and returned to his army with useful information about the enemy. << Previous : The Bow of Odysseus After getting rid of his rags, the beggar-Odysseus (Ulysses) fired an arrow into the throat of Antinoos who died immediately. She quizzes him about her husband's clothes and his comrades, or fellow soldiers. 3. Solution: Eumeus invited the beggar Ulysses right into his hut and also provided food as well as beverage to load him. Characters Penelope Though she has not seen Odysseus in twenty years, and despite pressure the suitors place on her to remarry, Penelope never loses faith in her husband. Odysseus goes for the hard sell. a) She asked the beggar at which games Odysseus excelled b) She asks him to describe Odysseus' clothing, his person, and his companions c) She asked what Odysseus' ship looked like d) She asks him the month and year he visited with Odysseus Need help with Book 4 in Homer's The Odyssey? How does Penelope test the truth of Odysseus the beggar's story regarding Odysseus? Summary: She offered him food and a glass of wine, and provided him a warm bed to oversleep in a cozy coat that he maintained in instance of emergency. Penelope was said to be the faithful wife of Odysseus in Greek mythology; for, Penelope was said to have waited 20 years for the return of her husband. Check out our revolutionary side-by-side summary and analysis. C. She is … She is elated to learn that the old beggar is actually Odysseus. A. The Odyssey study guide contains a biography of Homer, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Penelope, who has heard rumors and listened to prophecies for years, would like to believe Theoclymenus, but prudence does not allow her to. At this point Telemachus sneezes laughsand Penelope … Book XVII Summary: Telemachus excuses himself from Eumaeus to see his mother, and instructs him to … But from the Among the mortals, only Telemachus knows who he … Penelope replies to the beggar’s story by saying she wishes his words would come true, but she doubts they will. He looks a traveled man.'' She is self-involved and selfish. Helen slips a drug into the wine that makes the men forget their sorrows. Her son is at least twenty years old at this point. When the suitors for the hand of Helen were gathered at the court of Tyndareus, Odysseus realised that the odds were very slim that he would … Why do you think Homer includes this descriptive detail? She then asks her old servant woman, Eurycleia, to bathe the stranger and arrange a comfortable place for him to In the beginning of the story, Penelope's most prominent qualities are passivity, loyalty, and patience (along with beauty and skill at the loom) – the age-old feminine virtues. Penelope confronts the intruders but is cut off by the smooth-talking Eurymachus. The bed is a permanent piece of furniture, representing the stability of the marriage between Odysseus and Penelope. On their way to town, he and Eumaeus are confronted by Melanthius, a bully and braggart who is in Odysseus' employ as a goatherd. Penelope then asks Eumaeus to bring the beggar to her, so she can ''ask if he has heard of hardy Odysseus or with his own eyes seen him. Penelope is told of Odysseus' return by the old nursing woman, this after the contest with the great bow and the slaughter at the feast. He is disguised as an old beggar. Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar so he can sneak into his palace, but removes the disguise and makes him appear strong and youthful when his son finally meets him. and find homework help for other The Odyssey questions at eNotes Her cares make her somewhat flighty and excitable, however. Start studying The Odyssey pt. Odysseus must exercise restraint on several occasions. This places Penelope in a tough situation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. At this time, Penelope does not know that Odysseus is the beggar. Penelope figured the beggar was well-traveled, and wanted to ask him about Odysseus's whereabouts. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as … Because of her efforts to put off remarriage, Penelope is often seen as a symbol of marital fidelity. How does Penelope’s portrayal differ from the … Why do you think Homer includes this descriptive detail? What was special about Odysseus and Penelope? Odysseus stops her, however, explaining that his arrival must remain a … This launches us into another back-and-forth round of insults. So when Odysseus returned to Ithaca in about 1166 BCE, Penelope was about 48 years old. She was the daughter of Icarius and Periboea. B. The blissful life of Penelope and Odysseus would end though when the Oath of Tyndareus was invoked by Menelaus, and Odysseus, despite his misgivings, would have to assemble a force and travel to Troy, to fight for the return of Helen. But because Athena wants her "to show herself to the wooers, that she might set their hearts a-flutter and win greater honor from her husband and her son than heretofore", Penelope does eventually appear before the suitors (xviii.160–162). In book 21, the contest with the bow, the arrow, and the axes occurs, and Odysseus is … "Does this mean I must marry a beggar now?" Eurycleia tries to tell Penelope anyway, but she refuses to believe the maid. He swears her to secrecy about his identity. What does Penelope’s treatment of Odysseus the beggar indicate about her character? A summary of Books 17–18 in Homer's The Odyssey. Eurycleia then told her mistress that Telemachus was aware of his father’s return, and helped make the plans to destroy the suitors. But Penelope is still unsure about this beggar. Find out if she is loyal, check out the suitors How does Odysseus safely walk among the suitors when he returns? She does very little but lie in bed and weep. Odysseus and Telemachus plan to handle Penelope’s unwanted suitors by Athena disguising Odysseus as an old beggar, hide the arms and armor that usually decorate the Great Hall, and put aside weapons for "I am no beggar," he said, "but Odysseus, your husband." What does the suitors notice about the Odysseus the beggar during the fight. What contest Penelope offers the beggar a bed to sleep in, but he is used to the floor, he says, and declines. Only reluctantly does he allow Eurycleia to wash his feet. He looks a traveled man.'' Penelope was the wife of the hero Odysseus in Greek mythology. The old nurse was undeterred by the talk of her mistress, telling Penelope that Odysseus was none other than the old beggar who was mocked by the suitors. Question: I am doing a research project and need to know a little more about Penelope and her role in the story of Odysseus. Penelope looked at the carnage. For Penelope, see the first page of Book XXIII. Penelope did not recognise him, for he … When Odysseus returns to Ithaca in Book 13 of The Odyssey, Athena disguises him as an old beggar, even going so far as to shrivel his skin, remove the "russet curls" (13.456) from … She is cruel and arrogant. Get an answer for 'In books 18-20, explain Penelope's actions with Athena, Telemachus, and the old beggar.' The slaughter of the suitors of Penelope shows that old yoga realizations such as wisdom and holiness are no longer the foundations of the new yoga. Introduction to Essay on How Does Eumaeus Treat the Beggar? Penelope responds by scolding the suitors for insulting the beggar, who is her guest. Back at the pig farm, Athena has turned Odysseus back into the old beggar. What is the internal conflict that Odysseus faces when he approaches the swineherd and the herdsman? Clearly he can grow a beard. she asked. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of The Odyssey and what it means. beggar, outraged at the suitors’ treatment of him. Athena also makes Penelope more beautiful and young looking to prepare for her husband’s return. Why does Odysseus delay seeing Penelope when he gets home?