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THE ODYSSEY
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BOOKS 13 - 24
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THE RETURN OF ODYSSEUS
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The second half of the Odyssey equals the first; Homer evidently balancing the JOURNEY and the HOMECOMING.
So the Return is cleverly articulated in careful stages - we have already seen how ATHENA enters the stage and watches over Odysseus and his son from 13 - 24. We can see the narrative as
A (Under Athena’s guidance) a series of FACTUAL EVENTS. Forward moves alternate with set-backs; but each set-back increases our sympathy with Odysseus and our disgust with the suitors. It seems as if Odysseus has a number of TESTS to pass, (of which the BOW is the most obvious). These events are presumably old folk tales, woven up by Homer: The Swineherd’s hut - Telemachus - the Palace - Irus - the Bow - the Battle - Penelope.
B But Homer weaves into this fabric a series of DISGUISES, FALSE TALES , RECOGNITIONS and REVELATIONS, along with constant DREAMS, PROPHECIES and OMENS of Odysseus’ return and revenge - thus making the story a psychological drama - of suspense and excitement. Here is a brief tabulation of these. Look up the reference and note down the page number (NB page references in the table are to the old Rieu translation)
| Book |
Disguise/False Tale
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Recognition/Revelation
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Dream/Omen etc
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| 13 |
Ithaca in mist 207 |
Athena recognises Odysseus, and reveals herself 210 Ithaca revealed 211 |
Athene foresees suitors’ death 212b |
| 14 | Od: F.T. 2 and 3 to Eumaus (TEST of Eumaus) | Eumaus reveals much about himself and life in Ithaca | Od. prophesies return 219 middle .Eumaus quotes prophecy and Od. takes bet. 225 |
| 15 | (T.’s return)(Theoclymenus) | eagle and goose: Helen hawk and dove: Theo |
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| 16 | Od. still disguised (TEST of T.) then re-disguised 257 | Od. reveals himself to T. 250 | the task of revenge outlined in cold fact 251 |
| 17 | Od. still disguised; F.T.4 to suitors 270 |
only dog Argus recognises him 267 |
T.: “day of reckoning” 260 T. quotes Menelaus “swift death and sorry wedding” 262 Theo.:"Od. in Ithaca now". 263t Pen. interprets T.’s sneeze. 273 |
| 18 | (In Palace. Irus etc) | Od. to suitors: “he is near.”280 T’s prayer 282 |
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| 19 | (Pen. Eurycleia etc) F.T.5 to Pen. 292 |
Eurycleia recognises scar 298 (but shut up) 300 | Od.’s forecast 295; Od. interprets Pen.’ dream 302 |
| 20 | (preparation) Od. TESTS cowherd 310 |
Od. and Pen. both dream of each other -thunder 306; 310;
313b Theo. sees blood at the evil feast 315 |
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| 21 | TEST of the BOW | Od. revealed to Eumaus and Philoetius 321 | thunderclap; 326 banquet |
| 22 | (Battle) | Od. revealed to the suitors | the omens fulfilled |
| 23 | END of DISGUISE 345 Pen.’s caution Pen. TESTS Od. - the BED |
Odyseus revealed to Penelope the climax |
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| 24 | (story of P.’s weaving repeated, her craft and loyalty
354-6) F.T.6 to Laertes 358-9 |
Od. revealed to Laertes (even he demands proof) 359-60 and to faithful old Dolius 361 |
C. Scupham
