Lecture Notes: The Odyssey - Books 15 & 16

Book 15: Telemachus and the Suitors' Plot

• Narrative Shift: Focus returns to Telemachus.
• Athena's Warning:
  • Informs Telemachus of the suitors' plan to murder him.
  • Advises him to return to Ithaca and avoid an ambush with Peisistratus.
• Convergence Towards Ithaca: Building up towards a major climax.
• Important Omen:
  • Eagle carrying a goose: Symbolizes the strong overcoming the weak, foreshadowing future events.

Book 16: Odysseus' Loyalty Test

• Odysseus and Eumaeus:

  • Odysseus tests Eumaeus' loyalty again.
  • Plans to beg at the palace suggested by Eumaeus.
  • Eumaeus advises Odysseus to wait for Telemachus’ return.
  • Odysseus learns of Eumaeus’ life story.

• Telemachus’ Return:

  • Avoids the suitors' trap due to Athena's advice.
  • Visits Eumaeus’ home, meets Odysseus disguised as a younger version.
  • Shock and belief that Odysseus might be a god.

• Reunion:

  • Odysseus reveals his true identity to Telemachus.
  • Father and son reunite; Telemachus has matured and is a true heir.
  • Athena re-disguises Odysseus as a beggar.
  • Only Telemachus knows Odysseus’ true identity.

Palace and Suitors

• Suitors' Assassination Plot:
  • Continue planning to kill Telemachus.
  • Suitor Antinous suggests waiting for divine signs.

Themes and Character Development

• Character Growth:

  • Odysseus shows restraint learned in the underworld.
  • Telemachus demonstrates maturity and strength.
  • Eumaeus' life story illustrates how fate and privilege can shift.

• Divine Intervention:

  • Gods, particularly Athena, play a pivotal role in the mortals' fate.
  • Odysseus and Telemachus rely on Athena to execute their plans.
  • Highlighting the collaboration between gods and mortals to fulfill destiny.