BOOK 20 PREUDE TO THE CRISIS

1. BOOK 20 PREUDE TO THE CRISIS 1) What is Odysseus thinking about (P.266-7) and what does this tell us about his character? How is he to defeat the Suitors as he is only one and they always many. AND how would he be able to escape their families vengeance when he does. It show he is always calculating and planning, and relying on his cunning (rather than divine assistance) 2) What does Athena say to Odysseus (p.267) and how is this helpful to him? She, a goddess is helping him, and none has her powers so he should not worry. He is relieved and gets a nights sleep. 3) What evidence does Odysseus ask from the gods to prove that they will help him? How do the gods respond? That someone now awakening in the palace give a sign of omen, and outside the palace some other sign occur (around L 100)

2. 4) Name the three shepherds and identify the friends/enemies of Odysseus. Eumaeus: swineherd (friend), Melantheus: goatherd (enemy), Philoetius: cowherd (friend) 5) Describe the behaviour of the suitors during the symposion. What was Athena’s involvement in the events that took place and for what reasons does she interfere? They continue to act outrageously, including abusing Odysseus (as a beggar). Athena causes them to behave like this becasue she wants to be sure that Odysseus is as mad as can be with them (ln 286) 6) How does Telemachus speak to the suitors and what does this show about him? He tells then to behave decently, showing how much he has grown in confidence and able to take charge (ln 265). He rounds of Ctesippus for thowing a cow's hoof at the beggar (ln 303).

3. 7) Describe the strange events that upset the suitors while feasting? Who was responsible and what is the symbolic significance of these visions? What do they do as a result? (p272) The 'bird omen' a soaring eagle with a trembling dove in its talons. The eagle - Zeus - is taking the dove (Telemachus) away. This tells the suitors that their plan to kill Telemachus will fail. 8) Where in Book 20 does Athena intervene. How and why? In the feast - she makes the suitors behave extra badly in ordr to enrage Odysseus (ln 285). She so befuddles them they are forced to laugh uncontrollably and seem out of their minds with tears on their eyes, and foreboading in their hearts (ln 345) AND ominous blood on their food. 9) Who are the slave Eumaeus, Melanthius, and Philoetious; ho do they behave? See ans 4

4. 10) What was Agelaus’ complaint? and Telemachus response? A good suitor who calls the others to stop treating Odysseus' household so badly. Telemchus swears that he is not stopping his mother choosing a husband, but encouraging her to, and will settle a good dowery on her, but he will not force her out of his house. 11) What features of Odysseus' character a revealed in Book 20 Patience: doesn't react to Ctesippus' insults, cunning, self reliance: he doesn't rely on the gods but worries how to achieve victory. 12) Both Penelope and Odysseus offer Prayers in this book. What does each pray and what resulted. Penelope prays to Artemis (huntress) to die by her arrow to get out of this problem, or any of the god of Olympus to remove her (ln 60 - 80) 13) Who are Ctesippus, & Theoclymenus. What does each do. Ctesippus, a bad suitor, throws a cow hoof at Odysseus which the other suitors think is over the top as discourtesy. Theoclymus is a prophet who reads the sign of the blood omen and tells the suitors they are doomed.