The Odyssey (Part 2) - Poem Summary

Summary

In this retelling of Odysseus' adventures, the hero returns to Ithaca disguised as a beggar, guided by Athena. He reunites with his loyal swineherd Eumaeus and son Telemachus, devising a plan to ambush the suitors who have besieged his home. Through cunning and the help of Athena, Odysseus outwits the suitors in a bow contest, revealing his identity to slaughter them. His wife Penelope, initially skeptical, finally embraces him after a test of knowledge. The story concludes with a potential threat from the suitors' families, quelled by Athena's intervention.

Takeaways

• 🏺 Odysseus returns to Ithaca after his adventures and is initially disguised as a beggar by Athena.
• 🎁 Fans of Odysseus ply him with gifts before sending him back to Ithaca.
• 🛡️ Athena warns Odysseus not to reveal his identity upon his return and advises him to seek out his old swineherd, Eumaeus.
• 🐷 Eumaeus is loyal to Odysseus and shares stories of his service under Odysseus' father, Laertes.
• 👥 Athena urges Telemachus to return to Ithaca, warning him of an ambush planned by the suitors.
• 🗡️ Odysseus and Telemachus plan to defeat the suitors, with Odysseus hiding the suitors' weapons as part of their strategy.
• 🏰 Penelope, Odysseus' wife, devises a contest for the suitors to win her hand in marriage, which involves shooting an arrow through 12 axe heads.
• 🏹 Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, successfully completes the contest, shocking the suitors.
• ⚔️ With the help of Eumaeus, Philaeus, and Telemachus, Odysseus slaughters the suitors after revealing his true identity.
• 🏡 After the battle, Odysseus is reunited with his wife Penelope and his father Laertes, and peace is eventually restored on Ithaca.

Q & A

Who disguises Odysseus as a beggar upon his return to Ithaca?

Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar upon his return to Ithaca.

What does Athena instruct Odysseus to do after disguising him as a beggar?

Athena instructs Odysseus to seek out his old swineherd, Eumaeus, and to keep his return a secret from everyone, including Penelope.

What plan does Eumaeus suggest to Odysseus to deal with the suitors?

Eumaeus suggests an ambush plan to Odysseus for dealing with the suitors upon his return to Ithaca.

How does Odysseus react to Eumaeus' loyalty?

Odysseus is touched by Eumaeus' loyalty, as the swineherd recounts his service under Laertes, Odysseus' father.

What does Athena urge Telemachus to do upon his return?

Athena urges Telemachus to return to Ithaca, warning him of the ambush planned by the suitors.

What does Odysseus instruct Telemachus to do upon his return to the palace?

Odysseus instructs Telemachus to keep their plan a secret from Eumaeus and Penelope as a test of loyalty.

How does Penelope respond to the suitors' advances?

Penelope finds the suitors despicable and is not convinced by their advances, instead, she devises a contest to determine who she will marry.

What contest does Penelope devise to choose a suitor?

Penelope devises a contest where the suitor who can string Odysseus' bow and shoot an arrow through 12 axe heads will win her hand in marriage.

How does Odysseus reveal his identity to the suitors?

Odysseus reveals his identity to the suitors after he successfully strings his bow and shoots an arrow through all 12 axe heads.

What happens to the suitors after Odysseus reveals his identity?

After Odysseus reveals his identity, he, with the help of Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philaeus, slaughters the suitors.

How does Penelope finally recognize Odysseus as her husband?

Penelope finally recognizes Odysseus as her husband when he reveals intimate knowledge of their own bed, which was constructed in a unique way.