Odysseus' Revenge on the Suitors: Quiz and Flashcards

Study Notes

Odysseus and His Revenge on the Suitors

In Homer's epic poem "The Odessey," Odysseus is depicted as a cunning hero who faces numerous challenges during his long journey home from the Trojan War. One of the most famous episodes of this tale involves his quest for revenge against the suitors who plotted against him while he was away.

The Plot Against Odysseus

During Odysseus' absence, the Suitors conspired to take over Ithaca by marrying Penelope, Odysseus' wife, and seizing his wealth. They believed Odysseus was dead because the ten years had passed since the fall of Troy. However, Penelope remained faithful to her husband, using various tactics to delay choosing one of the suitors.

Recognition Scene

When Odysseus finally returned home disguised as a beggar, Telemachus recognized him but did not reveal his true identity. The recognition scene occurred when Eumaeus, the loyal swineherd, recognized Odysseus after he described how he found and saved the piglets born from the sow which Odysseus had given to him before leaving for war. After being assured it wasn't an illusion, Telemachus told his father that he recognized him.

The Suitors' Deaths

Odysseus started exacting his revenge by killing the suitors one by one. He initially killed those who were openly mocking him. As the revenge progressed, he used various strategies, such as disguising himself or using weapons offered by the suitors themselves to kill them. Some of the more notable methods include:

The Bow and Arrows: After arriving home, Odysseus asked for permission from Athena to use the bow and arrows that belonged to his son. This allowed him to challenge the suitors with their own weapons.
Feigning Madness: To gain access to the banquet held by the suitors, Odysseus pretended to be mad. He rolled around on the floor, talked nonsense, and ate the food thrown away by animals or humans.
Identifying the Hostile Son: Odysseus discovered that Antinous, one of the suitors, was hostile to him because Antinous' father had been killed in the war against Troy. He used this knowledge to plan an ambush against Antinous.
Tricking Irus: Odysseus tricked Irus into fighting over meat. Although Irus fought well, he was eventually struck down by Odysseus.

In each instance of vengeance, Odysseus demonstrated not only his intelligence but also his resourcefulness. For example, when confronting the most insolent of the suitors, Elpenor, Odysseus feigned ignorance about how they would kill him, then revealed his identity, demanding Elpenor pay for his insults.

The Wrathful Goddesses and Their Punishments

As Odysseus took his revenge, two goddesses became enraged: Circe, whose hospitality Odysseus had interrupted while she entertained the suitors, and Aeolus, whose son was among those killed during the conflict. Both Circe and Aeolus joined forces, leading a storm that wrecked seven of Odysseus' ships, leaving only one intact. This event serves as a reminder of the need for respect towards gods and their representatives, even when taking personal revenge.