Book 24-Peace Returned to Ithaka

Approaching my father's home, I told my companions to prepare lunch inside while I go find my dad. I found him planting trees in the back of his house. When I started talking to him, I pretended to be someone else, not Odysseus. He didn't recognize me. As I continued to pretend, I couldn't keep looking at him anymore. I embraced him and told him the truth. Of course he had to test whether it was truly me or not, but he believed me. Together, we walked inside for lunch. My dad's servant came in, and he also couldn't believe I was home. I then told somebody to go outside and check whether the town was coming to get me. I was told they were coming, when my Mentor appeared. I felt much more confident, and I told Telemakhos to be prepared to fight. He sounded ready, like he was finally the strong person I knew he would be. We went outside, with our armour shining in the bright sun, and I threw a spear at Eupeithes, killing the first victim. My son and I would not be denied, but Athena stopped the fight and told us to make peace. She said Zeus was going to be angry if we didn't stop so I obeyed. We swore on a peace agreement and all was finally good back on Ithaka.

When I was talking to my father, I couldn't pretend to be someone else and hold the truth from him. Going to embrace him, I said, "...he could not watch this any longer.He leaped and threw his arms around his father, kissed him..." (454). It was a miracle to see my father alive and well. After all of the stressed I had put on him from my journey, I felt relieved that he was still alright. Seeing Penelope and Telemakhos made me feel alot better but seeing my dad again made everything almost perfect.

When Athena came down from Olympus, she gave me advice on what to do with the citizens of Ithaka. After she had gone, I realized, "Athena...who bears the stormcloud as a shield-- though still she kept the form and voice of Mentor," (462). Although that Athena knew that I knew who she truly was, she still didn't come down to me in her real form. She decided to stay in the form of Mentor. While a goddess is a powerful figure, a man may be easier to trust. Even goddesses used the form of men to get their point across to mortals.

Book 23-Meeting Penelope

I stood in the great hall alone when my Penelope walked inside. She just stood there, starting at me. Telemakhos how she could act this way. I thought this was a little amusing, so I told him to leave her alone. I then gave them orders, and they went to obey. I told the harper to play loud music, so the people outside would think that Penelope married a suitor. I did this to stay hidden. I bathed and then told the maid to prepare my bed. Penelope told me that I wasn't going to sleep in my bed. This is when I snapped at her. I then told her all I knew of the great bed I made, in order to prove that I really was the great Odysseus. She believed me right away after I told her. She hugged me and told me why she couldn't believe me right away. I warned her of my next prophecy that I would fulfill because I didn't want it to surprise her. I didn't want to think about it that night, so I told her of my entire journey from the moment I left home, to my return. I went to bed and had the greatest sleep I've had for some time. When I woke up I made my plans. I was going to see my father. I told Penelope and the maids to stay hidden in the upper rooms. Telemakhos and I prepared our war gear and left the house.

When Penelope told me where I was going to sleep that night, I finally snapped at her. I yelled, "Woman, by heaven you've stung me now! Who dared to move my bed? No builder had the skill for that--unless a god came down to turn the trickk," (435). I can't believe how she reacted to the sight of me. I can understand her doubthing me at first, I mean c'mon its been twenty years. But for her to be so stubborn angered me so. Nobody tells Odysseus what to do. I am master of my own home.

In response to my anger and talk of our secret sign, Penelope gave her reasoning. She said to me, "I could not welcome you with love on sight! I armed myself long ago against the fauds of men, impostors who might come--and all those many whose underhanded ways bring evil on!" (436). She didn't want to bring her hopes up, and then have them come crashing down again. If she was like this for every man, then she wouldn't have any hope left. She would just turn everybody away. People have to be cautious of others in order to know who they truly are.

Book 22-Death to The Suitors

With my great bow, I leapt up on the table and told the suitors their time was done. Antinoos, acting cocky, stood unafraid. I fired an arrow right at him and that was the end of that. The rest of the suitors yelled at me, but I didn't care. I revealed my identity to them, and they asked for forgiveness. Of course I wasn't going to forgive them, and I sent another arrow right into the chest of Eurymakhos. At this point the fight was on. As they charged me, Telemakhos and I took them down one by one. My son grabbed some armour and weapons, which helped more. While the fight continued, the suitors somehow got their dirty hands on my armour. I sent the swineherd and cowherd to take care of that traitor. I was getting a little nervous, but Athena came to my aid. She protected me from on-coming spears, and the four of us continued our slaughter. Even as they begged, I refused to give mercy, except for one because my son convinced me otherwise. Once all the suitors were taken care of, I sent Telemakhos and both of the herders dispose of the unfaithful maids. We had won the fight, and I felt like I was home again.

During the fight, Leodes came to me and begged for mercy. He asked, "Mercy, mercy on a suppliant, Odysseus! Never by word or act of mine, I swear, was any woman troubled here. I told the rest to put an end to it. They would not listen," (419). This may be the biggest lie I've ever heard in my lifetime. What an ignorant fool. Did he really think that I was going to believe that he was faithful to the great Odysseus. This man was just as bad as the other suitors. He got what he deserved.

Last night, Kresippos threw the cow's foot at me, but today he was killed for his terrible acts. Before he died, Eumaios looked down on him and said, "This will repay your cow's-foot courtesy to a great wanderer come home," (418). Kresippos truly deserved my punishment for treating me bad as an old man, and my house terribly while I was gone. Kresippos' actions are the definition of karma. Something bad always happens to people who do wrong things.

Book 21-Contest With The Bow

As the suitors and I sat in my hall, Penelope came with my prized bow. She offered to marry the first one who could string it and send an arrow through the iron axe-helve sockets. My son went first at the contest. He finally almost got it, but he saw the look I gave him that said to stop. I wanted the suitors to try at the contest. The first suitor couldn't pull back the bow, so they decided to rub lard on it, which they thought would loosen it up a bit. However, this did not help one bit. While they struggled in their efforts, I left the hall with the swineherd and the cowherd. I revealed my identity to them after they promised to help me in my fight. I told them of the plan, and we were set to execute it. I came back into the hall, and the suitors had all gone without any luck. They said they would try the next day, but I asked for my own turn. I knew they were afraid I would do it, but they insulted me instead and didn't want me to have my turn. Telemakhos, my great son, ordered them to give me a chance, and Eumaios brought me my fine bow. When I finally laid my hands on the polished bows, I checked every spot of it. When I was ready, I pulled the bow back as the suitors' mouths dropped in shock. I let the arrow fly right through the sockets. I gave Telemakhos the sign, and he drew his sword.

When I asked for my turn with the bow and arrow, the suitors insulted me for asking for a turn. Antinoos said to me, "...I promise you great trouble if you touch that bow. You'll come by no indulgence in our house..." (400). Can you believe this? Our house? Who does he think he is, the great Odysseus himself? How dare he ever speak like that. I am the rightful owner of this house and the king of Ithaka. Antinoos and all of the suitors will pay for disrespecting me.

When Penelope told the suitors to give me a chance, Telemakhos stepped in and took control of the situation. He said, "This question of the bow will be for the men to settle, most of all for me. I am master here," (402). My son is finally showing the leadership that he's had inside of him all along. He knew that the suitors weren't going to listen to my wife, so he stepped up to the challenge and took his responsibility. A sign of his growing up. When a person doesn't have anybody else to take control of a situation, they step up to the challenge and a leader is born.

Book 20-Feeling Vengeance

I laid on the ground, just before the doorway to my house. The house I should have been sleeping in. I was so angry at the suitors, and I had to hold myself back from attacking them at that instant. As I laid on the ground seeping with anger, Athena came. I told her that I wasn't sure that we would win the fight, but she of course we would win. How could we lose with the help of a god. The next morning I woke to the cry of my wife. I sent a prayer to Zeus to give her a sign that I was close by. I then heard Penelope pray for death to all of the suitors. Thunder then came from the sign, and I felt that revenge would soon be taken. The swineherd came by, and we started talking. Melanthis came by, telling me to leave or I would end up a beaten man. I was so angry I didn't respond. Philoitios then came by, wishing me luck and talking about how he wants Odysseus to come back home. It was good to hear a nice man speak. I went into my hall and the feast started. Telemakhos stuck up for me like a grown up, telling the suitors to stop insulting me. But Ktesippos threw a cow foot at me. I easily dodged it, but it angered Telemakhos even more. Sick of the suitors, I left the feast.

After hearing the reply from Zeus, I felt much better about my chances against the suitors. After praying, "...the cloudless thunder of Zeus, Odysseus heard with lifting heart, sure in his bones that vengeance was at hand," (379). At first, I wasn't sure how I could take on so many suitors, even with help from two gods, Athena and Zeus. This reply from Zeus has fueled me even more to bring destruction to the suitors and to take back what is rightfully mine.

As I lied down to sleep, I thought about my chances against the suitors. Athena came down to me and said, "...if fifty bands of men surrounded us and every sword sang for your blood, you could make off still with their cows and sheep," (376). The gods are very confident in themselves, which they well should be. They have so much power, and they don't believe that anybody can stop them from doing what they want. The gods cannot be defeated.

Book 19-Meeting With The Queen

I told my son to take all of the weapons and move them to the inner room. I helped him move all of the weapons, and he left for bed. I went to have my meeting with Penelope. Melanthos yelled at me for acting so strange, Penelope came and took me away. We sat and we started talking. She asked about my family and myself. I didn't want to talk about those things because they made me sad. She then told me about her years at home without me. I then started telling her about my story, and how I knew about Odysseus. She shed many tears from hearing of me, but she wanted to make sure that I was telling the truth. I told her of exactly what they were wearing, and she knew that I wasn't lying. She seemed hopeless of his return, so I told her that he is coming home right now. Although she wants him home, it was still hard for her to believe he was coming. For my stories, she offered me a bath and fresh clothes. As I was being bathed, the maid recognized me, and I told her to keep my secret so my plan will continue on course. She then asked to interpret her dream. I finished my conversation with Penelope by promising her that I would come very soon.

I couldn't stand looking at my great wife cry and not do anything about it. When she cried, I thought, "Imagine how his heart ached for his lady, his wife in tears; and yet he never blinked..." (360). It took most of my strength to hold me back from embracing her. Althought that is what I should have done, I couldn't let my cover give away. If she finally knew who I was, my plan to stop the suitors wouldn't end up working. This is necessary to achieve my goal.

Even when I told Penelope that I was coming home soon, it was hard for her to believe that I really was coming. She said, "But my heart tells me what must be. Odysseus will not come to me..." (363). This wasn't the response that I had in mine. I thought that she would be extremely excited for my return. Even though she showed signs of happyness, she was more negative than positive. It is hard for people to keep hope for something after many years.

Book 18-A Fight Between Beggars

A tramp named Iros came into my great hall and told me to get out of here because this is his place. I didn't want to fight him, and I told him that we could both easily stay here without any trouble. He laughed at me and said that he could easily defeat and old man like me. Well I'm not just any old man. When I took off my shirt before the fight, the suitors were shocked of how strong I looked for being an old guy. Right when the fight began, I gave him a good hard punch and he fell. The fight was over. After this, the suitors finally respected me as a person. I told the suitors to leave Odysseus' hall because he would return and cause them much pain. My wife, Penelope, then came down and questioned Telemakhos about how he could let the suitors hurt an old man. He said that I had actually hurt them and prayed that they would all be defeated. The suitors marveled at her beauty, but she said that everything about her left when I left, which made me feel good that she has remained faithful. Eurymakhos then insulted me for being a beggar, and I told him that he wasn't the great champion that he thought he was. He got angry, but Telemakhos intervened, and the suitors left for bed.

I was so happy when I knew for sure that my wife had stayed faithful to me for all these years. In response to Penelope, "Odysseus' heart laughed when he heard all this...with talk of marriage, though she intended none," (345). Agememnon wasn't right in all cases. My great wife, Penelope, hasn't lost all of her hope and still loves me. This makes me feel so good, and I can't wait to dispose of all of the suitors, so I can be with my faimly again.

When I defeated Iros, the suitors finally gave me a little respect. One had said, "Zeus fill your pouch for this! May the gods grant your heart's desire!" (339). The suitors wouldn't respect me at first because I was just some old man that wasn't important. Now that I've defeated a man who they thought should have beaten me, they respect me. They will pay for how ignorant they are. People start to respect others once they know that they are strong and powerful.

Boook 17-Beggar at Great Odysseus' House

Telemakhos and I started our plan. He left to go back to my house, and I stayed with Eumaios. The swineherd and I started on our way after my son. On the path, we ran into Melanthios. He put me down because I was a beggar and then kicked me. I was going to give him what he deserved, but I kept my cool. We kept going and finally approached my home. I was so happy. It was the first time I've seen it in so long. Eumaios went in first, and I followed after waiting a bit. I saw my old dog and felt terrible and angry at the same time because of the bad shape he was kept in. I walked inside the house and received bread from Telemakhos. Athena then appeared to me, telling me to beg the suitors for food. This would show me how their hearts truly are. Antinoos got angry with me, and yelled at me to leave. He threw a stool at me, and if I weren't the great Odysseus, it may have hurt. I was even more angry now, and so were the other suitors. They were afraid I was someone powerful, which I am. My wife, the queen then requested that I join her and tell her of my tales. I had too decline and told her instead to be patient.

I can't believe of what I'm seeing. In my house, "Odysseus only shook his head, containing thoughts of bloody work..." (326). I heard that the suitors were doing disasterous things, but I didn't imagine half of what they've done. They take any of my animals, and slaughter them whenever they want. They are drinking all of my wine. They make a mess out of my hall and even attack an old beggar. This is inexcusable, and they will surely pay.

My son, Telemakhos, saw Antinoos hit me with the stool. My son thought, "...without a tear, though his heart felt the blow. Slowly he shook his head from side to side, containing murderous thoughts," (327). It was incredibly hard for him to just sit there, without doing anything. It's almost impossible to watch your loved ones get hurt, incapable of doing anything to help. He wanted to get even with them for doing this bad thing. It is hard for people to watch loved ones get hurt, and they want revenge.

Book 16-With My Son Again

I woke up to the sound of the dogs barking. I got up to check the noise, and my son Telemakhos stood at the door. How great it felt to finally see him again. He talked to the swineherd about finally being home, and then I was introduced. It was hard to stay within the old man disguise. Eumaios said that I should go with my son, but my son wasn't very confident in himself. When Telemakhos spoke of the suitors, I tried to tell him what I would do in that situation. He responded by saying that he was afraid to back back to his house. My son told Eumaios to go and tell Penelope of his arrival. Once he left, Athena approached me, staying hidden from Telemakhos. She then took off my old disguise, and I was Odysseus again. My son was in shock, saying that I was some sort of god because I transformed. I convinced him I was his real father, and I gave him a great big hug, just happy to be together again. He told me of the current situation, and I told him the plan to attack the suitors. We decided we would need some help. As Eumaios came back, Athena put my old man disguise back on, and we went to sleep.

I'm so happy I'm finally back on Ithaka with my son. When I woke up, "But before he finished his tall son stood at the door," (289). I finally felt that my long journey home was worth it. I didn't know whether or not I would see him again, after all of the hardships that I have endured. Seeing him right in front of me, I knew that I was finally home. This made me feel inspired to get back to my house and take back what truly belonged to me.

When Eumaios was talking to my son about protecting me, he wasn't very confident in his abilities. Telemakhos said, "I am no told enough or trained in arms. Could I defend myself if someone picked a fight with me?" (291). This wasn't the type of attitude that I wanted to see in my son. He is the son of Odysseus, he has royal blood flowing in his veins. Although he has greatness inside of him, he's never been taught or seen that he can do it. He isn't sure of himself. People who lack confidence in their ability can't do anything they want.

Book 15-A Son's Journey Home

For this blog, Telemakhos and I will both give you our own insight because we are both in this book. I'll post the link to his blog at the bottom of this one.

Eumaios and I had dinner again the following night. I wanted to truly see how nice my servant really was, so I told him I would be leaving tomorrow. Showing how hospitable he was, he said I shouldn't go and should stay with him. I thanked him, and asked how Odysseus' (my) parents were. He told me my father was hearbroken because I had not returned, and my mother had died, which made me terribly sad. I then asked him about his parents and how he ventured to Ithaka. He told me about how he escaped on a boat with his mother, and finally arrived here. His mother had died on the boat, so he had been all alone. It was a sad tale, but I encouraged him by speaking of what a good life he's had.

I feel terrible that I've caused my parents so much pain. Eumaios told me, "Laertes lives, but daily in his hall prays for the end of life... Sorrow, when she died... her brilliant son, wore out her life," (279). I didn't mean for them to feel any of those things. I don't want to be the cause of their death. I love them. My journey to Troy wasn't meant to hurt my people, it was to protect them. So many bad things happened, I couldn't get home. I hope I will still get to see my father.

Link:

http://alonewithtelemakhos.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-15-sons-journey-home.html

Book 14-Hospitality From a Faithful Servant

As I walked toward a hut, watch dogs shot toward me. The owner saved me by scattering the vicious dogs. He invited me in, and offered me much needed hospitality. He started talking about his lord, and he seemed pesimistic on on his return. My return. Eumaios told me about the suitors, and the destruction of my estate. This made me furious, but I couldn't so my displeasure. I told him that Odysseus would have his revenge, but he still denied that I would ever return. He asked for my story and like I always do, I thought of a tale to tell. As I told him of my great adventures, I even added that I had heard of Odysseus traveling on his way home. He was angered by this, and told me never to speak of him again. I was sick of him saying that, so I bet him that Odysseus would come home, or he could have me as a slave. We dropped this conversation, finished our feast, and went to bed.

Eumaios made me very angry because he didn't believe that I would return, but I was pleased that he was still loyal to me. I thought, "...this rejoiced Odysseus' heart, to see him care for the herd so, while his lord was gone," (264). From hearing about the suitors trashing my home and taking my things, there wasn't much to be happy about. But hearing that I have one servant, Eumaios, still respecting me makes me feel a lot better. It shows not all is lost at home.

When I was talking to Eumaios, he wasn't very hopeful about my return to Ithaka. He said, "That tale about Odysseus, though, you might have spared me; you will not make me believe that," (258). There isn't much hope for Eumaios to find. I have been gone for so many years, that it seems unlikely that I will ever make my way back home. He's really sad, and doesn't want to feel worse by hoping I'll return. In difficult situations, people don't want to hope for certain things just to get more hurt later on.