Lecture Notes: The Odyssey - Books 19 & 20

Book 19: Key Events

• Setting: Evening, after the suitors have retired.
• Odysseus and Telemachus:
  • Hide the weapons, indicating plans for an attack.
  • Major foreshadowing of the upcoming battle against the suitors.
• Odysseus and Penelope Meeting:
  • Odysseus, still in disguise, finally meets Penelope.
  • Eurycleia:
    • Recognizes Odysseus by a childhood scar.
    • Swears not to reveal Odysseus' identity.
    • Offers to inform Odysseus about disloyal maidservants, but Odysseus declines.
• Penelope's Contest:
  • Plans a contest for the suitors involving bow and arrow.
  • Aim: Determine who will win her hand in marriage.
  • Odysseus (in disguise) hints that her husband will return before the contest begins.
• Penelope's Reaction:
  • Rattled by the news, she retreats to her room, overwhelmed with emotion.

Book 20: Key Events

• Odysseus' Contemplation:
  • Stays up at night contemplating revenge on the suitors.
• Athena's Assurance:
  • Ensures Odysseus of victory over the suitors and their families.
• Penelope's Prayer:
  • Overheard by Odysseus, wishing for death if he doesn't return.
• Zeus' Response:
  • Sends a clap of thunder after Odysseus' prayer.

Theoclimanus' Vision

• The Seer's Warning:
  • Warns suitors of a vision involving blood, mist, and ghosts.
  • Suitors' Reaction:
    • Skeptical; dismiss his warnings and continue their festivities.
• Telemachus' Boldness:
  • Scolds the suitors for their behavior, showing newfound bravery.

Foreshadowing and Imagery

• Amphiminus' Observation:
  • Sees an eagle with a dove in its talons.
  • Symbolizes the upcoming slaughter of the suitors.
• Recurring Imagery:
  • Eagle as a predator, a representation of inevitable fate for the suitors, echoing themes throughout the book.