The Reunion
She is the loyal servant who tries to wake Penelope and convince her that Odysseus has returned and killed the suitors .
Who is Eurycleia?
To move their marriage bed out of their bedroom and make it up for him there.
When Penelope first sees Odysseus, he is not wearing his beggar rags, but is freshly bathed. What physical attribute does Athena restore to him to make him appear glorious?
His great height, beauty, and thick, curling hair .
After surviving the battle of the suitors, which two individuals does Odysseus leave his wife to go and visit next?
His father (Laertes) and swineherd (Eumaeus).
The Faithful nurse who tries to convince Penelope that Odysseus has truly returned and killed the suitors .
Eurycleia .
Why does Telemachus criticize his mother. Penelope, when he first enters the chamber?
Because he thinks she is being too cold and stubborn toward Odysseus .
Why was Odysseus so angry about moving the bed? What was unique about its construction?
It was built directly into a living olive tree that grew through the center of the room.
What is a web (or weaving/the shroud for Laertes)?
Which god or goddess stops the blood feud by convincing the angry families of the suitors to forget the murders and make peace?
Who is Athena ?
The person Penelope mistakenly scolds for not understanding her shock and taking her for being cold.
Telemachus .
Whom does Penelope initially suspect actually killed the suitors inside the palace?
The gods (she believes an immortal came down to punish them for their arrogance).
What reason does Penelope give to Odysseus (and the rest of the palace) for why she had to be so cautious and test him so harshly?
She was afraid of impostors and tricksters (like gods taking on human form to deceive mortals) .
Despite his triumph, Odysseus mentions this heavy burden still awaits him on his next journey, as prophesied by Tiresias .
He must travel inland with an oar until he finds people who do not know the sea, and make a sacrifice to Poseidon .
What do the families of the suitors decide to do right after buying their dead sons?
They seek revenge on Odysseus and gather to fight him .
To prevent the surrounding townsfolk from realizing the suitors have been killed, Odysseus orders a fake one of these to play in the palace .
A wedding party .
To prevent the families of the suitors from attacking while they flee to the country, what fake event does Odysseus order Telemachus to stage?
A loud wedding party/feast to make it seem as though Penelope has finally married one of the suitors .
Who is the only person besides Odysseus and Penelope who knew the secret of how the marriage bed was built?
The servant Actoris.
How long did Odysseus stay away from home in total (including the Trojan War, his journey, and his time with Calypso) ?
20 years .
Where does the prophet Tiresias reside when Odysseus visits him earlier in the epic?
The Underworld (Land of the Dead).
This goddess intervenes to hold back the night and delay the arrival of the sun, giving Odysseus and Penelope time together.
Athena
This goddess interferes by holding back the night and delaying the dawn so the newly reunited couple can have extra time together
Who is Athena?
What epic descriptor does Homer consistently use to identify the unmovable, carved olive tree bed at the center of their marriage?
What is the "rooted bed" (or "great rooted bed")?
What does Penelope do to her husband as soon as she finally recognizes that he is truly Odysseus and not an impostor?
She weeps, runs to him, throws her arms around his neck, and kisses him .
This suitor was the first to die in Book 22, setting off the battle in the palace .
who is Antinous ?
The long, dangerous journey Odysseus tells Penelope he must eventually take to appease Poseidon .
Plant on oar in a land far from the sea and make a sacrifice .