The Odyssey

1. The Odyssey Books 21, 22, and 23

2. Page 943 • Athena Warns Odysseus about one hundred suitors that have taken over his kingdom. • Odysseus disguises himself as an old beggar. • When Odysseus gets home he tells his son, Telemachus, who he is, but not his wife Penelope.

3. Page 944 • Penelope poses a contest to the hundred suitors. • The suitors need to string Odysseus’ bow • After stringing the bow, they have to shoot an arrow through twelve ax handles. • Penelope does not want to marry the suitors, but knows that she must.

4. Page 946-947 • All of the suitors except for Antinous and Eurymachus fail to string the bow. • While the men struggle with the task of stringing his bow he reveals himself to two of his servants. • Shows them a scar that he got from a boar before he left for Troy. • The two servants are loyal to Odysseus and pledge that they will help him.

5. Page 948 • Odysseus’ plan: • Enter into the contest • Lock the women into a separate room where they will not get hurt. • String the bow. • Kill all of the suitors.

6. Page 950 • The suitors do not want to give The beggar a chance in the contest. • Penelope steps in and says that if he is denied, they are disrespecting Telemachus. • When Penelope leaves the men still refuse. • Telemachus steps up and says the servant holding the bow must give The beggar the bow. Demands that the servant obey him and not the suitors. • The men react by laughing at Telemachus.

7. Page 952-954 • Odysseus, as the old beggar, easily strings the bow. • Odysseus shoots the arrow through the twelve axe handles. • Zeus sends down an omen to let Odysseus know that his curse is broken. • Clash of thunder

8. Book 22 Page 955 • Odysseus announces that he has won the game, but will now hit a shot that no one has been able to hit. • The shot will be an arrow through the throat of Antinous. • Antinous does not realize the attack until it is too late. • Odysseus shoots him while he is drinking wine. • The other suitors think that it was a mistake by the old beggar.

9. Page 958-959 • Odysseus lists for the men all the laws they broke. • Raped his maids • Stole his food and wine • Competed for his wife and throne • Disrespected the Gods • The men realize that it is Odysseus and try to hide.

10. Page 958 • Eurymachus’ argument: • This was all Antinous’ plan and you have already killed him. • Antinous wanted his throne and was going to kill Telemachus • If Odysseus let the suitors go • They would each give him 20 oxen • Bronze and Gold • They would all repay him the wine and bread they took from him.

11. Page 958-959 • Odysseus refuses the offer • Eurymachus rallies the men to charge Odysseus, and get through the door. • Odysseus shoots him down and Eurymachus dies in a fit of agony because of his guilt. • Amphimous charges Odysseus next, but Telemachus takes him down with his spear. • Telemachus then runs to get more weapons and the two servants for extra help.

12. Page 960 • Athena comes to aid Odysseus in the battle. • She blocks arrows that are shot at him. • Displays her shield above the hall where the battle is being fought. • Odysseus and Telemachus are compared to Falcons because of how ruthlessly they kill the suitors.

13. Book Twenty Three • After defeating all of the suitors, Odysseus goes to see his wife. • Athena prepares Odysseus before he meets his wife. • Makes him stronger • Makes him Taller • Makes him better looking

14. Page 962 - 964 • Penelope does not give in to Odysseus at first • She tests him first by offering to move her wedding bed into the hall so that he will be comfortable. • Odysseus realizes the test, and tells Penelope that moving the bed is impossible. • The Bed is made from an Olive tree that the palace was built around.

15. The End • Penelope knows that only Odysseus would know this, and that he must really be Odysseus. • She falls to her knees and they both begin to cry.