He informs Menelaus that he is going back home to Ithaca. He orders his men to prepare their ship. Athena exercises the most power and influence, controlling the movements and fates of Odysseus, Telemachus, and any other mortal she chooses.
Her decisions and hands-on manipulation leave mortals with little opportunity to gain actual experience or manage their own fates. To a modern person, this level of involvement feels intrusive. Which of the characters exercises the most control? What does this tell you about ancient Greek culture and in comparison with our culture today? Identify with the lives and values of certain characters and to discuss the positive and negative aspects of living in this ancient Greek world.
How are the values and customs different from ours? How do you feel about the ancient Greek value system or view of life? He encourages Theoclymenus' report that the king lives and is now on Ithaca.
At this point, though, prudence stops him from revealing to anyone — including his mother — that Odysseus is home and preparing to strike. Penelope, who has heard rumors and listened to prophecies for years, would like to believe Theoclymenus, but prudence does not allow her to. Odysseus must exercise restraint on several occasions. On their way to town, he and Eumaeus are confronted by Melanthius, a bully and braggart who is in Odysseus' employ as a goatherd.
The bully verbally assaults the two travelers and even kicks Odysseus as he passes. Odysseus is tempted to split the lout's head on a rock but controls himself. This faithful swineherd is the antithesis of Melanthius. Where one is considerate, kind, refined, and loyal, the other is impudent, cruel, crude, and appeasing toward the suitors.
Odysseus exercises the judgment of a sage when he refrains from dispatching Melanthius on the spot. A more subtle restraint is necessary soon after that confrontation. As Odysseus and his swineherd approach the palace, they spot a pathetic, old, tick-infested dog, "half-dead from neglect" It is Argos, the king's pet as a pup, now some 20 years old. The dog recognizes his master, thumps his tail, but is too weak to move toward him.
Odysseus, too, recognizes his dog but knows he cannot show it. He turns away to hide a tear as the old dog dies. At the great hall of the palace, Odysseus has more need for judgment, prudence, and restraint. The suitors are feasting well on the best of Odysseus' sheep, hogs, fatted goats, and cattle. Most of the suitors give him something, a scrap or crust.
He tells Piraeus not to bring his gifts from Menelaus to the palace; he fears that the suitors will steal them if they kill him. Theoclymenus then speaks up and swears that Odysseus is in Ithaca at this very moment. On the way they meet Melanthius, a base subordinate of the suitors, who heaps scorn on Eumaeus and kicks his beggar companion. Odysseus receives a similar welcome at the palace. The suitors give him food with great reluctance, and Antinous goes out of his way to insult him.
When Odysseus answers insult with insult, Antinous gives him a blow with a stool that disgusts even the other suitors. Report of this cruelty reaches Penelope, who asks to have the beggar brought to her so that she can question him about Odysseus. Eumaeus announces that he must return to his hut and hogs, leaving Odysseus alone with Telemachus and the suitors. Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth, Our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.
See Important Quotes Explained. Another beggar, Arnaeus nicknamed Irus , saunters into the palace. For a beggar, he is rather brash: he insults Odysseus and challenges him to a boxing match. He thinks that he will make quick work of the old man, but Athena gives Odysseus extra strength and stature. Irus soon regrets challenging the old man and tries to escape, but by now the suitors have taken notice and are egging on the fight for the sake of their own entertainment.
It ends quickly as Odysseus floors Irus and stops just short of killing him. The suitors congratulate Odysseus. One in particular, the moderate Amphinomus, toasts him and gives him food. Odysseus, fully aware of the bloodshed to come and overcome by pity for Amphinomus, pulls the man aside.
He predicts to Amphinomus that Odysseus will soon be home and gives him a thinly veiled warning to abandon the palace and return to his own land. The goddess gives her extra stature and beauty to inflame their hearts.
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