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.