4.17.14+and+4.18.14

P.4 P.6 P.8

Summary of the first part of Book 13:
 * Book 13:**
 * Odysseus finishes telling his tale and the Phaeacians are spellbound by his riveting tale. The king assures him that they will sale him home with riches galore.
 * The next morning, the king makes sacrifices to Zeus and Demodocus sings another amazing song. Odysseus (eager to begin his journey to Ithaca) speeds things up a bit by giving a well-spoken farewell and all drink “heady, honeyed wine” to the gods and each other, and finally Odysseus strides to the ship, they load the gifts and riches, and they set sail.
 * Immediately, Odysseus falls into a deep sleep and sleeps the whole journey to Ithaca.
 * He is still sleeping when they make landfall, and rather than wake him, they carry all his riches and his sleeping body off the ship. They make sure to put his riches away from the road so no one will take them, and then, leaving slumbering Odysseus be, they sail home.
 * Poseidon, meanwhile, has a bone to pick with Zeus. He sees that Odysseus is home, years late yes, but with more riches than he would have received in Troy. Poseidon thinks that his reputation will suffer if all goes this smoothly, so he whines to Zeus about it being unfair. Zeus tells him that he’s all-powerful and could strike any mortal down if he wants, so go ahead. Poseidon admits that he’s always been fearful of Zeus, but with his support he’ll crush the Phaeacian’s ship on the way home to prove that helping Odysseus and all wayward travelers is bad. He’ll also fill their port with a giant mountain so that the point is really driven home.
 * Zeus says, wait. Hold up—this might be better: the Phaeacians like to watch the ships return from the hills above the port. Wait until the ship is almost home and then smash it so they can all see your power. Then raise the mountain in their port.
 * Poseidon thinks that sounds pretty good and so it is done.
 * The Phaeacians are horrified and confused as to why they’re being punished. Then, King Alcinous remembers a prophecy his dad told him which was that Poseidon was annoyed that they were always helping travelers sail home without ever coming to “grief” and that someday he’d crush a ship of theirs coming home from a convoy and then erect a mountain around their port. He instructs them to sacrifice many bulls to Poseidon and then stop helping strangers get home in the future.
 * At that very moment, Odysseus wakes up on Ithaca’s shore, but doesn’t recognize it since Athena, to protect him, has showered a mist over him and the land so he’s hidden.
 * Initially, Odysseus is upset as he thinks the Phaeacians have tricked him and robbed him and he curses them. Then he counts his treasure and sees that it’s all there, which is good, but is still upset that the Phaeacians didn’t deliver him to Ithaca (even though they did) and wishes that he’s gotten help from someone else.
 * As he’s fuming, Athena arrives…

Read Book13 starting on pg.293--in class


 * Period 4:** Read the assigned book and write a full summary of the events. This should be detailed and will be graded.


 * Period 6 and 8:** Read the summaries below. On Monday, you and a group will responsible for reporting briefly on the one book I assigned you in class.


 * Summaries:**
 * Book 14: **
 * After Athena leaves him to go to Sparta, Odysseus makes his way to the home of a swineherd (who had been loyal to his family) named Eumaeus (you-may-us)
 * Eumaeus speaks of highly of his master (Odysseus) but mourns him for he assumes he’s dead. He still honors Odysseus and the king he was, and describes the suitors with disgust and raves about Telemachus. Odysseus starts to leave, but Eumaeus invites him to stay as a guest.
 * Eumaeus asks Odysseus to tell his story. Odyssues tells as story that has some striking similarities to Odysseus’ own tale. In his story he mentions that he has heard of great Odysseus and that he had just the last island that “the beggar” had visited.
 * Eumaeus still doubts that Odysseus is alive, but Odyssues has given him a bit of hope.
 * As the book ends, Odysseus spins a story in which he tests Eumaeus’ generosity by asking for shelter and a cloak in a round about way. Eumaeus is clever and picks up on it, gives him a cloak, and invites him to stay until Telemachus gets back from Sparta.


 * Book 15: **
 * Athena goes to Sparta (home of King Menalous) to inspire Telemachus to go back home again. She tells him that his mother’s being pressured by her father to marry Eurymachus and that she’s agreed. This is a lie, but it does the trick and Telemachus hurries to go home.
 * She also warns him about the suitors who are waiting to ambush him and tells him how to avoid them and to go straight to the swineherd’s hut (convenient eh?) to avoid trouble.
 * He wants to leave at once, but Pisistratus (Nestor’s son) convinces him to wait until morning. Lavished with many, many gifts, and a clear sign from Zeus (eagle/goose=Odysseus will take revenge) they travel all the next day, spend the night Phera (royal welcome) and near King Nestor’s home.
 * Telemachus, aware that if he stops he will be showered with hospitality and delayed, convinces Pisistratus to drop him off at his ship where he can gather his men and sail before Nestor shows up with hosting desires.
 * His men rush to fill his ship with treasures, a stranger/prophet guy shows up and asks for passage. They swap quick stories and they all sail away…
 * Meanwhile, Odysseus is still at the swineherd’s hut (and the swineherd still doesn’t know that it’s Odysseus). Odysseus tests the swineherd’s generosity and the swineherd proves to be hospitable. Odysseus suggests the idea of going to the palace to mingle with the suitors. This allows the swineherd to launch into a rant about how terrible the suitors are, and provides Odysseus with info he needs about them and Penelope, Laertes, his mother’s death, and how the swineherd played with his sister growing up. They talk into the night and Odysseus is certain now that Eumaeus is loyal and true to Odysseus and his house.
 * On the boat back to Ithaca, the stranger/prophet and Telemachus see a bird sign that the stranger interprets as proving that Telemachus’ line will continue to rule in Ithaca


 * Book 16: **
 * Telemachus arrives at Eumaeus’s hut. He greets him like a father does a son, which is ironic because just then he enters the hut and sees Beggar Odysseus.
 * They eat, and Telemachus questions the stranger a bit. He reveals that he wants shelter. Telemachus says he’d normally offer up shelter, but that his is currently overrun with disgusting suitors.
 * Clever Odysseus suggests he ask his brothers to help rid his home of the suitors, to which Telemachus, of course, tells him he’s an only child.
 * This reminds Telemachus to send Eumaeus to tell his mother he is home (quietly so no one knows).
 * As soon as he goes, Athena pops in (visible only to Odyssues) tells him to reveal himself to his son, and lifts her magic. Telemachus is shocked by the change but still doesn’t know it’s his father. Odysseus finally says “it’s me” and of course Telemachus is in shock and needs some convincing. Odyssues lectures him a bit, and then it’s all tears and hugs and love.
 * After the tears and love they get down to business. The plan? Kill the suitors (and now we know there are about 100 of them) Also, they remind themselves that Zeus and Athena are on their side. Yeah!
 * They decide that Telemachus will go back in the morning to hide all of Odysseus’ weapons (minus a few for their killing purposes). While he’s doing this, Odyssues will distract the suitors as a beggar (all the while testing who is loyal or good and who is not).
 * Meanwhile, Telemachus’ ship and the suitors’ ships both arrive unscathed proving that the suitors failed and that they were plotting in the first place. The suitors (led by Antinous) begin plotting anew but are overheard by Penelope. She scolds them of course, but they send her away to weep. And she does.
 * Eumaeus returns to the hut (Athena makes Odysseus into a beggar again before he can see his true form) and informs them that Penelope knows that Telemachus is back and that the suitors ship has returned.


 * Book 17: **
 * In the morning, Telemachus goes to show his face to Penelope and Beggar Odyssues heads to town to “beg” for food and information.
 * Penelope weeps at the sight of her son, and he gives her the information about Odysseus being alive on Calypso’s island (but not that he’s home).
 * Odysseus is abused by the bad suitors and gets some food from the good ones. He sees his old dog who was in his prime when he left but is sadly abused now. The dog recognizes him and then dies with joy. He goes around testing all the suitors for loyalty. Penelope notices him and tells Eumaeus to send the stranger to him so she can question him. Odysseus agrees to meet with her later when no one can notice that they’re talking. Penelope realizes that this is a crafty beggar and agrees.


 * Book 18: **


 * Odysseus has to fight the other beggar who inhabits the court. He, of course, knocks him (and his jaw) out with one punch.
 * Odysseus warns Amphinomous to leave (he’s a “nice” suitor”) but Athena won’t let him.
 * Athena lavishes even more beauty on Penelope and sends her down to parade in front of her suitors. Penelope begins to flirt a bit and demand gifts from them. She also takes a moment to scold Telemachus for letting a stranger (Odysseus as beggar)be mistreated in the house.


 * Book 19: **
 * Odysseus commands Telemachus to hide all the weapons away.
 * Penelope (still all beautiful) awaits the beggar to hear news of Odysseus.
 * They chat: he gets her to talk first and tell of her weaving scheme and the suitors in general. She reveals that she’s weary of waiting and taking away Telemachus’ rights to the house, so she’ll give in and marry soon.
 * She asks Odysseus about himself. He lies and makes up a story where he was also fighting at Troy and later he hosted Odysseus.
 * Penelope would love to believe him, but doubts him and asks for proof. She wants to know what he was wearing. Odysseus describes the very clothes that she sent Odysseus off to war with. Tears. He ends his story by assuring her that Odysseus is coming home soon (so he’s heard).
 * She’s still doubtful, but offers the beggar a bath and place to sleep. Odysseus wrangles it so that his old nurse, Eurykleia, will wash his feet. She comments on how much he resembles Odysseus. Odysseus brushes this off saying it “happens all the time”. He remembers a moment too late about a scar he has (boar/story) that she will recognize. Before he can avoid it, she has, but he stops her from calling Penelope, and makes her promise not to tell anyone that he’s home (or he’ll show her no mercy when the killing starts up even though he loves her).
 * When his feet are clean, Penelope wanders back in to tell him about her dreams and ask for him to interpret them. He does, stating that they show that Odysseus is coming back and soon and that the suitors will die.
 * She says maybe.
 * Then, she tells him she’s decided to end it all the next day with a contest. Whatever suitor can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot it through 12 axe heads gets her.
 * Odysseus says he (and the real Odysseus too) will be at the contest.
 * Penelope doesn’t believe him and goes to bed.


 * Book 20: **
 * The book begins with Odysseus sleeping outside Penelope’s wing. He sees the maids slipping out to sleep with suitors. Enraged.
 * Penelope prays for death rather than having to marry a suitor.
 * Odysseus wakes and begins to pray to Zeus for guidance and a sign that he’s doing the right thing. Thunderbolt on a sunny=yes.
 * He goes off to ask Eumaeus and a loyal old cowherd, Philoetius, if they would still be loyal and fight if Odysseus happened to show up. They respond: YES.
 * The suitors are still rumbling about killing Telemachus, but he’s starting to get a bit feisty now that he knows his father is home. He gives the Beggar Odysseus food and drink right in front of the suitors and talks loudly about this being Odysseus’ house. The suitors scorn him and insult Beggar Odysseus. Athena makes them even more insulting than normal to really rile up Odysseus so he’s ready to fight soon.
 * The stage is set for the fight that’s brewing.

HW: Map Assignment due Monday, finish reading summaries if you did not in class.