Telemachy- The first four books, includes Menelaus, Athena, Pylos, and Old Nestor
*-likely to be the events mentioned on the final
Summarize the books and our discussions each day.
Group I--Ellie, Julia, Ashley, Natalie: 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 Group II--Jenna, Samara, Jordan: 9, 13, 17, 21 Group III-- Kevin, David, Q, Bryan: 10,14, 18, 22 Group IV--Caroline, Janum, Caroline, Marcus: 11, 15, 19, 23
Book 7: Gardens and Firelight
Setting: Gardens of Skeria, Land of the Phaeicians Character: Queen Arete, Nausicaa, Altinoos, Odysseus Conflict = Want is Wanted: Odysseus wants to get home. Needs clothes, ships, men, supplies Resolution: Phaeacians gather materials and men to help him leave after he tells them all about his adventures. Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus is humble. Sits in ashes, hugs queen's knees, willingly follows advice of Nausicaa to humbly make his way to the castle. Help from gods: Athena helps disguise Odysseus in a mist so he can get to castle. She herself appears as a little girl so as not to reveal herself to Odysseus. Disguises: See above Culture: role of women, xenia Queen Arete is the decision maker. She has to approve Odysseus before his needs will be fulfilled. He humbles himself to her by hugging her knees when he first meets her. Allusions to other stories in mythology:
Book 8 The Songs of The Harper
Setting: the palace of the Phaeacians Character: Demodokos, Odysseus, Seareach Conflict = What is Wanted: Demodokes tells the story of the affair between Aphrodite and Ares, Seareach is mean to Odysseus and calls him unathletic, Odysseus prepares to tell his story Resolution: Hephaestus catches Aphrodite cheating on him with Ares, in Demodokes's story, Odysseus proves Seareach wrong by throwing the furthes disc Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus cries about the story of the Trojan war Help from the gods: Athena was the referee Disguises: Athena became a person in the crowd Culture: the games, xenia, sensitivity of the men, odysseus got gifts from Alkinoos and The Phaeacians, The Phaeacians try to impress Odysseus Allusions to other stories in mythology: Demodokos telling of the affair of Aphrodite and Ares and Hephaestus found out and trapped them
Book 10 The Grace of the Witch Setting: They first went to Island of Aiolia, then went to, Island of Lamos and then went to Aiaia.
Character: Odysseus, King Aiola, Laistrygones, Antiphates, Circe, Eurylochos, and Elpnor
Conflict : What is Wanted: 1. Men open up bag of winds and they get blown back to Aiolia. 2. Laistrygones eat Odysseus's men and throw rocks at them . 3. Kirke turns some of Odysseus's men into pigs and put them in a pigsty. Resolution: 1. They have to row back to Aiolia. 2. Hustle back to the ships and sail away. 3. With medicinal plant ,molly, from Hermes, Odysseus is immune to magic, has sex with Kirk, and men stay happy for a year. Character Development/Character Detail: King Aiolia will not give Odysseus anymore hospitality when he finds out he is cursed.Once again Odysseus's curiosity will cause Odysseus's men to suffer and die. Curiosity in Odyssey gets stronger throughout the story. Odyssey's men have much greed in them causing them to undergo Odysseus's word. Kirke will come from a mad crazy witch to a nice scorer when she finds out it is Odyssey's. Help from the gods: Kirke houses them for a year, helps them find a way to the underworld. Disguises: Odysseus's men were turned into pigs. Culture: Hunting was a important thing to get source of food. when an important guest leaves you give him treasures to go home with like with King Aiolia. Curiosity of new land was consistently happening. Allusions to other stories in mythology:Teiresias the prophet who was in the Theban plays.
Book 11: A Gathering of Shades Setting: Underworld Character: Elpenor, Tiresias, Antikleia, Achilleus, Patroklos, Antilochos, and Telamonian Aias Conflict = What is Wanted: Advise from Tiresias that they may return home.
Resolution: They are given the advise and told what is to happen in the future (Hint Calypso)
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus first learns that his mother is dead, which makes him very vulnerable. He stays vulnerable throughout the book, as he is constantly learning new emotional information. Such information includes the state of his nation and how his son is growing up.
Help from the gods:Circe told Odysseus how to get to the underworld, but that's pretty much it for help from gods. Odysseus does, however, talk to the ghosts of many characters from Greek Mythology
Disguises: None (Odysseus was in the underworld the whole time, and, it being a realm of the gods, there would be no point in a disguise.) Culture: Scarifies of the rams, gifts from the queen and king in the middle of the story
Allusions to other stories in mythology: Tiresias talks about Helios' cattle and Agamemnon talks about how he was killed by his cheating wife and her lover
Book 12: Sea Perils and Defeat
Setting: Aiaia, out to sea, Thrinakia, Ogygia Characters: Odysseus, Odysseus’ crew (Eurylochos in particular), Circe, Skylla, Charybdis, Helios, Zeus, Kalypso Conflict = What is Wanted: Elpenor has asked for proper burial on Aiaia, Odysseus and his men want to get home (then they get stuck on Thrinakia and want to eat the cattle but Odysseus won't let them) (then Odysseus ends up on Ogygia and wants to get home but Kalypso "keeps him prisoner" Resolution: Odysseus and his men return to Aiaia to bury Elpenor properly; Circe tells the men how to pass Skylla and Charybdis in the most effective way(how to lose the least amount of men)… She says to hug the cliff and let Skylla eat six of his best men rather then take the risk of Charybdis killing all of his men including him... they survive Skylla and Charybdis and end up on Thrinakia ( the land of Helios' cattle); Odysseus and his crew get stuck on Thrinakia for a full month because it is non- stop storming... but Odysseus has made them all promise not to touch Helios' cattle because Circe has told them they will all be killed if they do... but after a month Eurylochos convinces the men to kill and cook some cattle... Odysseus sees the event and flips out... but it is too late to do anything; When he lands on Ogygia where he is prisoner to Kalypso for seven years... a.k.a he sleeps with her for seven years Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus actually listens to Circe advice about passing the two monsters.... more mature then the beginning when he did what he wanted. Help from the gods: When Helios saw Odysseus' men eating his cattle he asked Zeus for revenge... and when the men finally head out to sea Zeus strikes the ship with a lightning bolt and kills everyone except Odysseus. Disguises: no disguises Culture: You see the burial rituals with Elpenor Allusions to other stories in mythology: The allusion to the stories of Skylla and Charybdis
What is Wanted: Odysseus really wants to get home, he tells the Phaiakians his entire story. Resolution: His story triggers the Phaiakians to give gifts of luxury and send Odysseus on his way to Ithaka.Character Development/Character Detail: Poseidon wants more revenge on Odysseus, so he turns the Phaiakians ship into stone when they see their shores. Help from the gods: Athena confronts Odysseus once he wakes up on the shore, he makes an elaborate lie to Athena who is disguised as a shepherd. She later reveals herself, and helps Odysseus get back to his home.= Disguises: Athena as the shepherd on the shore Culture: Alkinoös promises that each Phaiakian man will give him a gift to build up wealth for his return to Ithaka. They feast all day while Alkinoös’s men prepare the ships. The men also drop him off an the shore of Ithaka and leave all of his gifts with him. Allusions to other stories in mythology: none
Book 14 Hospitality in the forest
Book 14David
Setting:Ithaca (Swineherd’s home in the forest)
Character:
Odysseus, Eumaios, Dogs
Conflict = What is Wanted:
Odysseus wants to get the word out that he isn't dead (disguised as the beggar). He also wants a cloak so he can sleep
Resolution:
Eumaiosdoesn't believe the beggar about Odysseus, but he does give him a bed cloak.
Character Development/Character Detail: Help from the gods: Odysseus gets transformed into beggar so suitors wont kill him.
Conflict = What is Wanted: Telemachos has returned, the suitors find out that he is back and plan to kill him, Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachos, Odysseus and Telemachos plan how they are going to attack the suitors- hide the suitors' weapons and put to shields, spears, and swords aside for themselves. Resolution: none (yet) Character Development/Character Detail: Odyssues and Telemachos are both very happy to finally see each other (pretty much for the first time- Telemachos had never met Odysseus before, and Odysseus hadn't seen Telemachos since he was a baby) Help from the gods:Athena removes Odysseus' disguise, so he can reveal himself to Telemachos, Amphinomos suggests to the suitors that they pray to the gods to see if they are favored Disguises: Odysseus as beggar Culture: none Allusions to other stories in mythology: none
Book 17: The Begger at the Manor Setting: Ithaca, In town, the majority of the book takes place in the great hall in the home of Odysseus. Character: Odysseus( disguised as beggar) Penelope, Telemachos, Eumaios, Periaios, Theoklymenos, Mentor, Antiphos, Halitherses, Medon, Melanthios, Eurymachos, Argos, Atinoos, Conflict = What is Wanted: Odysseus is trying to discover which men our loyal to him and which men are sided with the suitors Resolution: Odysseus goes to the great hall to poke around and observe the men to see who has remain loyal through all these years of his absence. Disguised as a beggar he goes to each men to see how they treat a beggar. Odysseus always said to show hospitality to beggars, and by asking each men for a donation to give to beggar odysseus he can discover who remain to Odysseus' ways, and who does not. Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus' old dog Argos demonstrates the main idea of the book, loyalty. Argos has survived all these years through the abuse to see his owner one last time before he passed. Once he knew that the beggar was Odysseus by smelling him, he was able to close his eyes. Odysseus at this fact, sheds a tear, showing his emotion and connection to this dog, and honor of his loyalty all these years. Help from the gods: none directly, but Telemachos does tell Penelope to go pray to Zeus for help, and Athena turned Odysseus into a begger as part of their scheme to get revenge on the suitors Disguises: Odysseus as a beggar Culture: Allusions to other stories in mythology: none
Conflict = Odysseus needs to disarm the suitors to prepare for his revenge, as well as getting Penelope's plans for the suitors without revealing his true identity.
Resolution: Telemachos orders Eurykleia to make sure all the women are safely in their rooms. With Athena lighting the halls with a torch, Telemachos and Odysseus proceed to remove the suitors' weapons from the Great Hall. While passing Penelope, Odysseus is asked where he was originally from. He quickly changes the subject and persuades Penelope to tell her story. She tells him that her husband, Odysseus, has been away for 10 years, and that she's preparing to finally marry any suitor who shoots an arrow through 12 axe heads. Odysseus, who takes the disguise of 'Aithon', is a fellow fighter to Odysseus during the Trojan War. Penelope believes this story after the beggar describes Odysseus in great detail, bringing her to tears.
Character Development/Character Detail: Penelope, famous for her decade-long loyalty to her husband, finally begins to normalize. Normalize in the sense that unlike most people, she's had the willpower and love to not only remember Odysseus and pray for his return, but knowingly avoid many great suitors, just for the possibility of his return. She's portrayed as more human in this chapter; finally showing venerability and wear.
In this chapter, one of Telemachos's epiphanies is just how dedicated Athena is to returning Odysseus to power, and how much she really cares.
Help from the gods: Athena lights the Great Hall so Odysseus and Telemachos can see the suitors' weapons.
Disguises: Odysseus, already disguised as a beggar, creates a background story to quell Penelope's curiosity. He goes by the name of Aithon, a warrior that fought beside Odysseus in Troy.
Culture: Xenia is continually shown as disguised Odysseus is offered a foot wash by his old nurse, Eurykleia.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: Odysseus talks about the Trojan Wars, as well as his scar on his thigh from a hunting trip.
Book 20: Signs and a Vision
Setting: Ithica, Odysseus' palace, Character: Odysseus(disguised as a beggar), Penelope, Athena, Zeus(through signs), Telemachos, Melanthios, Philoitios, Eumaios, the suitors(especially Antinoos, Ktesippos, Agelaos), Theoklymenos Conflict = What is Wanted: It is almost time for Odysseus and Telemachos to execute their plan against the suitors. Penelope is about to give up and marry a suitor, and hold a contest for them to see which one is the best suitor. The suitors are mocking Odysseus and trying to get Telemachos to reason with Penelope. Resolution: The suitors are not aware that Odysseus and Telemachos are about to execute their plan to kill them all. Theoklymenos sees a sign of dripping blood within the palace and many shades of the dead, which is about to come true. Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus has become much better at controlling his temper when the suitors taunt him. Telemachos has matured from a boy who doesn’t really know how to speak for himself and is very emotional, to being more assertive and helping his father come up with his plan to kill the suitors. Penelope is starting to give up hope, thinking Odysseus might never return. Help from the gods: Athena tells Odysseus to have faith and makes the suitors taunt him, so he is even more upset with him. Zeus sends a sign to Odysseus of a thunder clap in the middle of a clear sky, and omen his plan will work. Disguises: Odysseus disguised as a beggar Culture: The suitors show their disrespect to Odysseus, as do the maids. The suitors want Penelope to make up her mind and don’t really give her the respect of making her decision. Allusions to other stories in mythology: There is a holiday going on that is a sacrifice to Apollo.
Book 21: The Test of the Bow
Setting: Ithica
Character:Penelope, Odysseus, Telemachus and the Suitors Conflict = What is Wanted: To be able to string the bow and to marry Penelope Resolution: Odysseus dressed at the begger asks for a chance to string the bow. He strings it perfectly and shoots accurately. He proves himself to be Odysseus and unmasks. Character Development/Character Detail: Telemachus shows bravery in how he speaks to his mother, Odysseus unmasks himself Help from the gods: Zeus sends down his favor, the lighting bolt, so that Odysseus can unmask himself Disguises: Odysseus as a begger Culture: It shows that the women must obey the men, even though Penelope is the Queen, when Telemachus boldly tells her to go in side alone and to get all women inside, she listens with out a complaint. Allusions to other stories in mythology:The story of Odysseys meeting Iphitos in Mesene
Book 23: The Trunk of the Olive Tree Janum Trivedi
Setting: Ithica, Odsseus's Palace
Characters: Odysseus, Penelope, Eurykleia, Athena (in spirit), many a corpse
Conflict = Odysseus is back from his journey and finally reveals his identity to Penelope, who refuses to believe his return.
Resolution: After giving Odysseus the cold shoulder by 'offering' him the option to sleep outside her bedroom, Odysseus is angered, asking who/how someone moved his immovable bed carved from the roots of an Olive tree. Penelope was testing whether or not he was actually Odysseus by checking if he knew about the bed.
Character Development/Character Detail: Penelope is shown as weary and wary from all the years of Odysseus's absence. When she finally acknowledges his return, she reveals her same love and loyalty towards him.
Help from the gods: Athena slows time down so they can enjoy their first night together after 10 years, and have enough time to sleep and be prepared for the backlash of council members the next day. Also, Athena makes Odysseus more attractive.
Disguises: None
Culture: Odysseus wanted to plan a large dance/feast that day, which was commonplace, to mask the noise of slaughter that had taken place hours before.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: None
Book 24: Warriors, Farewell Setting: The Underworld and Laertes's garden Characters: Achilles, Agamemnom, Zeus, Athena, Odysseus, Laertes, Eupeithe (Antinoos's father), angry townspeople, Telemachus, Odysseus's friends Conflict = What is Wanted: The angry townspeople found out that the day before Odysseus killed all of the suitors and they are mad and want revenge, especially Antinoo's father Resolution: Athena asks Zeus what to do and he wants her to get Ithika to make peace by having the people of Ithinkia accept Odysseus as king. Athena instead has Telemachus start a battle and kill Antinoo's father but then prpmptly ends the war and peace is made. Athena does all of this while disguised as Mentor. Character Development/Character Detail: Laertes shows emotion by crying when he finds out it is really Odysseus and that his son is not dead. Help from the gods: Athena and Zeus make the people of Ithinka have peace. Athena makes Laertes look young again. Athena gives Telemachus the power to throw a spear through Antinoo's father's helmet. Disguises: Athena as Mentor during the last battle. Culture:
Allusions to other stories in mythology: In the underworld Achilles talks about the Trojan war and his parents, Pelius and Thetis. Agamemnom is still talking about the story of how his unfaithful wife, Klymnestra and her lover killed him.
Setting: Character: Conflict = What is Wanted: Resolution: Character Development/Character Detail: Help from the gods: Disguises: Culture: Allusions to other stories in mythology:if allusions to other stories are made, offer a link to the story from one of our other wiki pages. If we don't have a page made about that story, simply summarize it here. Cross-reference it on our myth page by including a link to the book. Delete this text when you publish your page.
ORDER OF EVENTS
1. Odysseus leaves Troy*
2. Kikones*
3. Lotus Eaters
4. Polyphemos*
5. Bag of wind(Aiolos)
6. Laistrygonians
7. Circe's island
8. Trip to Underworld*
9. Return to Circe(Aiaia)*
10. Sirens*
11.Skylla and Karybdis*
12. Helios' Cattle*
13. Kalypso's Island*
14. Nausikaa and the Phaicians
15. Return Home*
Telemachy- The first four books, includes Menelaus, Athena, Pylos, and Old Nestor
*-likely to be the events mentioned on the final
Summarize the books and our discussions each day.
Group I--Ellie, Julia, Ashley, Natalie: 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Group II--Jenna, Samara, Jordan: 9, 13, 17, 21
Group III-- Kevin, David, Q, Bryan: 10,14, 18, 22
Group IV--Caroline, Janum, Caroline, Marcus: 11, 15, 19, 23
Book 7: Gardens and Firelight
Setting: Gardens of Skeria, Land of the Phaeicians
Character: Queen Arete, Nausicaa, Altinoos, Odysseus
Conflict = Want is Wanted: Odysseus wants to get home. Needs clothes, ships, men, supplies
Resolution: Phaeacians gather materials and men to help him leave after he tells them all about his adventures.
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus is humble. Sits in ashes, hugs queen's knees, willingly follows advice of Nausicaa to humbly make his way to the castle.
Help from gods: Athena helps disguise Odysseus in a mist so he can get to castle. She herself appears as a little girl so as not to reveal herself to Odysseus.
Disguises: See above
Culture: role of women, xenia Queen Arete is the decision maker. She has to approve Odysseus before his needs will be fulfilled. He humbles himself to her by hugging her knees when he first meets her.
Allusions to other stories in mythology:
Book 8 The Songs of The Harper
Setting: the palace of the Phaeacians
Character: Demodokos, Odysseus, Seareach
Conflict = What is Wanted: Demodokes tells the story of the affair between Aphrodite and Ares, Seareach is mean to Odysseus and calls him unathletic, Odysseus prepares to tell his story
Resolution: Hephaestus catches Aphrodite cheating on him with Ares, in Demodokes's story, Odysseus proves Seareach wrong by throwing the furthes disc
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus cries about the story of the Trojan war
Help from the gods: Athena was the referee
Disguises: Athena became a person in the crowd
Culture: the games, xenia, sensitivity of the men, odysseus got gifts from Alkinoos and The Phaeacians, The Phaeacians try to impress Odysseus
Allusions to other stories in mythology: Demodokos telling of the affair of Aphrodite and Ares and Hephaestus found out and trapped them
Book 10 The Grace of the Witch
Setting: They first went to Island of Aiolia, then went to, Island of Lamos and then went to Aiaia.
Character: Odysseus, King Aiola, Laistrygones, Antiphates, Circe, Eurylochos, and Elpnor
Conflict : What is Wanted: 1. Men open up bag of winds and they get blown back to Aiolia. 2. Laistrygones eat Odysseus's men and throw rocks at them . 3. Kirke turns some of Odysseus's men into pigs and put them in a pigsty.Resolution: 1. They have to row back to Aiolia. 2. Hustle back to the ships and sail away. 3. With medicinal plant ,molly, from Hermes, Odysseus is immune to magic, has sex with Kirk, and men stay happy for a year.
Character Development/Character Detail: King Aiolia will not give Odysseus anymore hospitality when he finds out he is cursed.Once again Odysseus's curiosity will cause Odysseus's men to suffer and die. Curiosity in Odyssey gets stronger throughout the story. Odyssey's men have much greed in them causing them to undergo Odysseus's word. Kirke will come from a mad crazy witch to a nice scorer when she finds out it is Odyssey's.
Help from the gods: Kirke houses them for a year, helps them find a way to the underworld.
Disguises: Odysseus's men were turned into pigs.
Culture: Hunting was a important thing to get source of food. when an important guest leaves you give him treasures to go home with like with King Aiolia. Curiosity of new land was consistently happening.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: Teiresias the prophet who was in the Theban plays.
Book 11: A Gathering of Shades
Setting: Underworld
Character: Elpenor, Tiresias, Antikleia, Achilleus, Patroklos, Antilochos, and Telamonian Aias
Conflict = What is Wanted: Advise from Tiresias that they may return home.
Resolution: They are given the advise and told what is to happen in the future (Hint Calypso)
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus first learns that his mother is dead, which makes him very vulnerable. He stays vulnerable throughout the book, as he is constantly learning new emotional information. Such information includes the state of his nation and how his son is growing up.
Help from the gods:Circe told Odysseus how to get to the underworld, but that's pretty much it for help from gods. Odysseus does, however, talk to the ghosts of many characters from Greek Mythology
Disguises: None (Odysseus was in the underworld the whole time, and, it being a realm of the gods, there would be no point in a disguise.)
Culture: Scarifies of the rams, gifts from the queen and king in the middle of the story
Allusions to other stories in mythology: Tiresias talks about Helios' cattle and Agamemnon talks about how he was killed by his cheating wife and her lover
Book 12: Sea Perils and Defeat
Setting: Aiaia, out to sea, Thrinakia, Ogygia
Characters: Odysseus, Odysseus’ crew (Eurylochos in particular), Circe, Skylla, Charybdis, Helios, Zeus, Kalypso
Conflict = What is Wanted: Elpenor has asked for proper burial on Aiaia, Odysseus and his men want to get home (then they get stuck on Thrinakia and want to eat the cattle but Odysseus won't let them) (then Odysseus ends up on Ogygia and wants to get home but Kalypso "keeps him prisoner"
Resolution: Odysseus and his men return to Aiaia to bury Elpenor properly; Circe tells the men how to pass Skylla and Charybdis in the most effective way(how to lose the least amount of men)… She says to hug the cliff and let Skylla eat six of his best men rather then take the risk of Charybdis killing all of his men including him... they survive Skylla and Charybdis and end up on Thrinakia ( the land of Helios' cattle); Odysseus and his crew get stuck on Thrinakia for a full month because it is non- stop storming... but Odysseus has made them all promise not to touch Helios' cattle because Circe has told them they will all be killed if they do... but after a month Eurylochos convinces the men to kill and cook some cattle... Odysseus sees the event and flips out... but it is too late to do anything; When he lands on Ogygia where he is prisoner to Kalypso for seven years... a.k.a he sleeps with her for seven years
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus actually listens to Circe advice about passing the two monsters.... more mature then the beginning when he did what he wanted.
Help from the gods: When Helios saw Odysseus' men eating his cattle he asked Zeus for revenge... and when the men finally head out to sea Zeus strikes the ship with a lightning bolt and kills everyone except Odysseus.
Disguises: no disguises
Culture: You see the burial rituals with Elpenor
Allusions to other stories in mythology: The allusion to the stories of Skylla and Charybdis
Book 13
Setting: Island of the Phaiakians
Character: Alkinoös, Odysseus, Alkinoös’s men, Poseidon, Zeus, Athene
Conflict
What is Wanted: Odysseus really wants to get home, he tells the Phaiakians his entire story. Resolution: His story triggers the Phaiakians to give gifts of luxury and send Odysseus on his way to Ithaka. Character Development/Character Detail: Poseidon wants more revenge on Odysseus, so he turns the Phaiakians ship into stone when they see their shores. Help from the gods: Athena confronts Odysseus once he wakes up on the shore, he makes an elaborate lie to Athena who is disguised as a shepherd. She later reveals herself, and helps Odysseus get back to his home.= Disguises: Athena as the shepherd on the shoreCulture: Alkinoös promises that each Phaiakian man will give him a gift to build up wealth for his return to Ithaka. They feast all day while Alkinoös’s men prepare the ships. The men also drop him off an the shore of Ithaka and leave all of his gifts with him.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: none
Book 14 Hospitality in the forest
Book 14 David
Setting: Ithaca (Swineherd’s home in the forest)
Character:
Odysseus, Eumaios, Dogs
Conflict = What is Wanted:
Odysseus wants to get the word out that he isn't dead (disguised as the beggar). He also wants a cloak so he can sleep
Resolution:
Eumaios doesn't believe the beggar about Odysseus, but he does give him a bed cloak.
Character Development/Character Detail:
Help from the gods: Odysseus gets transformed into beggar so suitors wont kill him.
Book 16: Father and Son
Julia BellangerSetting: Eumaios' hut, Odysseus' palace
Character: Odysseus (disguised as beggar), Telemachos, Eumaios, Penelope, Medon (town crier), Athena, suitors- Eurymachos, Antinoos, Amphinomos
Conflict = What is Wanted: Telemachos has returned, the suitors find out that he is back and plan to kill him, Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachos, Odysseus and Telemachos plan how they are going to attack the suitors- hide the suitors' weapons and put to shields, spears, and swords aside for themselves.Resolution: none (yet)
Character Development/Character Detail: Odyssues and Telemachos are both very happy to finally see each other (pretty much for the first time- Telemachos had never met Odysseus before, and Odysseus hadn't seen Telemachos since he was a baby)
Help from the gods: Athena removes Odysseus' disguise, so he can reveal himself to Telemachos, Amphinomos suggests to the suitors that they pray to the gods to see if they are favored
Disguises: Odysseus as beggar
Culture: none
Allusions to other stories in mythology: none
Book 17: The Begger at the Manor
Setting: Ithaca, In town, the majority of the book takes place in the great hall in the home of Odysseus.
Character: Odysseus( disguised as beggar) Penelope, Telemachos, Eumaios, Periaios, Theoklymenos, Mentor, Antiphos, Halitherses, Medon, Melanthios, Eurymachos, Argos, Atinoos,
Conflict = What is Wanted: Odysseus is trying to discover which men our loyal to him and which men are sided with the suitors
Resolution: Odysseus goes to the great hall to poke around and observe the men to see who has remain loyal through all these years of his absence. Disguised as a beggar he goes to each men to see how they treat a beggar. Odysseus always said to show hospitality to beggars, and by asking each men for a donation to give to beggar odysseus he can discover who remain to Odysseus' ways, and who does not.
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus' old dog Argos demonstrates the main idea of the book, loyalty. Argos has survived all these years through the abuse to see his owner one last time before he passed. Once he knew that the beggar was Odysseus by smelling him, he was able to close his eyes. Odysseus at this fact, sheds a tear, showing his emotion and connection to this dog, and honor of his loyalty all these years.
Help from the gods: none directly, but Telemachos does tell Penelope to go pray to Zeus for help, and Athena turned Odysseus into a begger as part of their scheme to get revenge on the suitors
Disguises: Odysseus as a beggar
Culture:
Allusions to other stories in mythology: none
Book 19: Recognitions and a Dream
Janum Trivedi
Setting: Ithica, Odsseus's Palace
Characters: Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachos, Athena, Eurykleia, Melantho
Conflict = Odysseus needs to disarm the suitors to prepare for his revenge, as well as getting Penelope's plans for the suitors without revealing his true identity.
Resolution: Telemachos orders Eurykleia to make sure all the women are safely in their rooms. With Athena lighting the halls with a torch, Telemachos and Odysseus proceed to remove the suitors' weapons from the Great Hall. While passing Penelope, Odysseus is asked where he was originally from. He quickly changes the subject and persuades Penelope to tell her story. She tells him that her husband, Odysseus, has been away for 10 years, and that she's preparing to finally marry any suitor who shoots an arrow through 12 axe heads. Odysseus, who takes the disguise of 'Aithon', is a fellow fighter to Odysseus during the Trojan War. Penelope believes this story after the beggar describes Odysseus in great detail, bringing her to tears.
Character Development/Character Detail: Penelope, famous for her decade-long loyalty to her husband, finally begins to normalize. Normalize in the sense that unlike most people, she's had the willpower and love to not only remember Odysseus and pray for his return, but knowingly avoid many great suitors, just for the possibility of his return. She's portrayed as more human in this chapter; finally showing venerability and wear.
In this chapter, one of Telemachos's epiphanies is just how dedicated Athena is to returning Odysseus to power, and how much she really cares.
Help from the gods: Athena lights the Great Hall so Odysseus and Telemachos can see the suitors' weapons.
Disguises: Odysseus, already disguised as a beggar, creates a background story to quell Penelope's curiosity. He goes by the name of Aithon, a warrior that fought beside Odysseus in Troy.
Culture: Xenia is continually shown as disguised Odysseus is offered a foot wash by his old nurse, Eurykleia.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: Odysseus talks about the Trojan Wars, as well as his scar on his thigh from a hunting trip.
Book 20: Signs and a Vision
Setting: Ithica, Odysseus' palace,
Character: Odysseus(disguised as a beggar), Penelope, Athena, Zeus(through signs), Telemachos, Melanthios, Philoitios, Eumaios, the suitors(especially Antinoos, Ktesippos, Agelaos), Theoklymenos
Conflict = What is Wanted: It is almost time for Odysseus and Telemachos to execute their plan against the suitors. Penelope is about to give up and marry a suitor, and hold a contest for them to see which one is the best suitor. The suitors are mocking Odysseus and trying to get Telemachos to reason with Penelope.
Resolution: The suitors are not aware that Odysseus and Telemachos are about to execute their plan to kill them all. Theoklymenos sees a sign of dripping blood within the palace and many shades of the dead, which is about to come true.
Character Development/Character Detail: Odysseus has become much better at controlling his temper when the suitors taunt him. Telemachos has matured from a boy who doesn’t really know how to speak for himself and is very emotional, to being more assertive and helping his father come up with his plan to kill the suitors. Penelope is starting to give up hope, thinking Odysseus might never return.
Help from the gods: Athena tells Odysseus to have faith and makes the suitors taunt him, so he is even more upset with him. Zeus sends a sign to Odysseus of a thunder clap in the middle of a clear sky, and omen his plan will work.
Disguises: Odysseus disguised as a beggar
Culture: The suitors show their disrespect to Odysseus, as do the maids. The suitors want Penelope to make up her mind and don’t really give her the respect of making her decision.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: There is a holiday going on that is a sacrifice to Apollo.
Book 21: The Test of the Bow
Setting: Ithica
Character:Penelope, Odysseus, Telemachus and the SuitorsConflict = What is Wanted: To be able to string the bow and to marry Penelope
Resolution: Odysseus dressed at the begger asks for a chance to string the bow. He strings it perfectly and shoots accurately. He proves himself to be Odysseus and unmasks.
Character Development/Character Detail: Telemachus shows bravery in how he speaks to his mother, Odysseus unmasks himself
Help from the gods: Zeus sends down his favor, the lighting bolt, so that Odysseus can unmask himself
Disguises: Odysseus as a begger
Culture: It shows that the women must obey the men, even though Penelope is the Queen, when Telemachus boldly tells her to go in side alone and to get all women inside, she listens with out a complaint.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: The story of Odysseys meeting Iphitos in Mesene
Book 23: The Trunk of the Olive Tree
Janum Trivedi
Setting: Ithica, Odsseus's Palace
Characters: Odysseus, Penelope, Eurykleia, Athena (in spirit), many a corpse
Conflict = Odysseus is back from his journey and finally reveals his identity to Penelope, who refuses to believe his return.
Resolution: After giving Odysseus the cold shoulder by 'offering' him the option to sleep outside her bedroom, Odysseus is angered, asking who/how someone moved his immovable bed carved from the roots of an Olive tree. Penelope was testing whether or not he was actually Odysseus by checking if he knew about the bed.
Character Development/Character Detail: Penelope is shown as weary and wary from all the years of Odysseus's absence. When she finally acknowledges his return, she reveals her same love and loyalty towards him.
Help from the gods: Athena slows time down so they can enjoy their first night together after 10 years, and have enough time to sleep and be prepared for the backlash of council members the next day. Also, Athena makes Odysseus more attractive.
Disguises: None
Culture: Odysseus wanted to plan a large dance/feast that day, which was commonplace, to mask the noise of slaughter that had taken place hours before.
Allusions to other stories in mythology: None
Book 24: Warriors, Farewell
Setting: The Underworld and Laertes's garden
Characters: Achilles, Agamemnom, Zeus, Athena, Odysseus, Laertes, Eupeithe (Antinoos's father), angry townspeople, Telemachus, Odysseus's friends
Conflict = What is Wanted: The angry townspeople found out that the day before Odysseus killed all of the suitors and they are mad and want revenge, especially Antinoo's father
Resolution: Athena asks Zeus what to do and he wants her to get Ithika to make peace by having the people of Ithinkia accept Odysseus as king. Athena instead has Telemachus start a battle and kill Antinoo's father but then prpmptly ends the war and peace is made. Athena does all of this while disguised as Mentor.
Character Development/Character Detail: Laertes shows emotion by crying when he finds out it is really Odysseus and that his son is not dead.
Help from the gods: Athena and Zeus make the people of Ithinka have peace. Athena makes Laertes look young again. Athena gives Telemachus the power to throw a spear through Antinoo's father's helmet.
Disguises: Athena as Mentor during the last battle.
Culture:
Allusions to other stories in mythology: In the underworld Achilles talks about the Trojan war and his parents, Pelius and Thetis. Agamemnom is still talking about the story of how his unfaithful wife, Klymnestra and her lover killed him.
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