Plot
What has Penelope been doing during the entire fight between Odysseus and the Suitors?
Sleeping, gets woken up by Eurycleia
How does the slave describe Penelope's heart?
One characteristic of an epic hero
Superhuman ability or unmatched warrior
What does the Minstrel of the Palace do to hide the death of all the suitors?
He plays a happy song so the people who walk by the palace don't suspect anything
Why was Odysseus astonished by the bed being moved?
The bed was woven into an olive tree and it would require immense strength, skill and knowledge to remove it
Two stages of the Hero's Journey in Book 23
Restoring order and taking new place in the old world
Why doesn't Penelope trust that it is Odysseus right away?
Because she thinks a god is tricking her
Which secret allows the couple to reconnect and trust each other?
The olive tree bed
What must Odysseus do to finish his journey?
Travel to cities until somebody calls his oar a winnowing fan
What does Odyseuss tell Penelope in bed that is ironic to the reader?
That after being away from each other for 20 years, the night he comes back he must leave the next day towards Laertes' Orchard to fulfill the prophecy of Tiresias
What does Odysseus leave out when telling Penelope about his adventures?
Nothing, he is honest with her about everything
An animal Odysseus is compared to
A lion
What does Odysseus tell Penelope before leaving for Laertes' orchard?
He tells her to "go to her room with her slaves, sit quietly, and do not talk to anyone"
How is strength and violence societally praised?
Odysseus is proud of having killed so many innocent people and the characters around him praise him for such bravery and strength
One way in which Odysseus' character is deepened
Role as an understanding parent and husband, reunion with Penelope + their unbreakable bond, his resolve to fully complete his quest