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Odyssey Books 16-19
Book 16:
Okay, apparently Homer realized that he never mentioned the suitors and hastily backfills here: the suitors tried to catch up with Telemachus and kill him, but somehow he eluded them (without apparently even realizing he was doing so).
Odysseus: Hi Telemachus, let me tell you a pack of lies about how I am a total stranger.
Athena: Well -- actually you might have to tell him the truth so he can help you kill the suitors.
Odysseus: Okay. Telemachus, I am your father.
Telemachus and Odysseus: *cry*
cahn: *is reminded yet again that "boys don't cry" is a very recent cultural convention, historically speaking*
Book 17:
Odysseus: Now I will go to my palace and tell lies to everyone there, at least by implication.
Argos: I am a dog that is more than twenty years old (!) that has been waiting for my master to come home.
Argos: *notices Odysseus, wags tail, dies*
Odysseus: I am a beggar, please give me food!
Most suitors: What the heck, it's not our food anyway, here, have some!
Antinous, the meanest suitor: Have a footstool... thrown at you!
Everyone: This is just like a story, where a god disguises himself and someone treats him badly and it ends badly!
Odysseus: ...I mean, there are some details wrong there, but you're really not all that far off.
Book 18:
Irus: Wait a second, I'm the beggar who's supposed to be able to beg food from Odysseus' table, not you! I'm gonna punch you!
Suitors: Fight! Fight!
Odysseus: Look at how muscular I actually am!
Everyone: Irus, you're in trouble!
Irus: *is, in fact, in trouble*
Penelope: You know what? I have a good idea. You know how you suitors all want to marry me? All of you should go back to your OWN houses and give me presents.
Odysseus: Aw yeah! My wife is awesome!
Suitors: We like it here and aren't leaving. But your point about how you'd like us better if we gave you presents is a good one. Here are some presents.
I gotta say I kinda love how Penelope is like
the night when I must marry is at hand...
it is not right or proper
to court a decent woman in this way,
a rich man's wife, competing for her hand.
They ought to bring fat sheep and cows to feed
my family, and give fine gifts, not eat
what is not theirs, and offer nothing back.
And Odysseus's response is not to be jealous or think that she actually wants to remarry:
Odysseus, who had endured so much,
was happy she was secretly procuring
presents, and charming them with pretty words,
while her mind moved elsewhere.
They're meant for each other! (Ruined for anyone else, as D and I would say.)
Also: I was thinking this was refreshing after a whole thing with Agamemnon (which I forgot to talk about) in the underworld where Agamemnon was all "don't trust women, they suck!!" Although when I went back, what he actually says (this is Book 11) is this:
So you must never treat your wife too well.
Do not let her know everything you know.
Tell her some things, hide others. But your wife
will not kill you, Odysseus. The wise
Penelope is much too sensible
To do such things.
Which... I guess... I have read Book 19, and, well, I guess that's what Odysseus does:
Book 19:
Penelope: So, stranger beggar, tell me about yourself.
Odysseus: Why should I stop lying now? I am totally a completely different person who is definitely not your long-lost husband!
Penelope: So sad!
Odysseus: "I do not blame you; any woman would mourn for a husband by whom she had children, / even if he were not the kind of man / they say your husband was -- a godlike hero."
cahn: uh-huh.
Eurycleia, the old slave: *finds Odysseus's scar, realizes it's him*
Odysseus: Don't tell Penelope or I'll kill you!!
cahn: ...okay, Odysseus, you are sure committed to being a liar, aren't you.
Also, as a bonus, I was carpooling with some 8th graders who had read a graphic novel version of the Iliad and Odyssey in school last year (I was side-eyeing this and OK I am still side-eyeing it a little... but as an abridged version I guess they're not bad, though the graphic novel does not appear to mention the Phaeacians' possibly being covered by a mountain, I'm JUST SAYING)
Me: Hey, I'm actually reading the Odyssey right now! I'm liking it much more than the Iliad because it doesn't have nearly as much fighting and gore.
8th grader, clearly a bit worried: Uh, where are you in the Odyssey?
Me: Chapter... 18 or 19? He's talking to Penelope, hasn't revealed who he is, and is making plans with Telemachus to kill everyone.
8th grader, a bit more relieved: Okay, so you know... there's going to be fighting and gore.
Me: Yes, I do, but thank you :)
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(And yeah, that whole sequence had me sideeyeing Odysseus several times, though I admit it does lead to some nice dramatic bits.)
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(Haha, oh Odysseus.)
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BTW, I like the Odyssey better than the Iliad for the same reasons. (Also: more
lyingtrickery and more women with speaking parts.) Pure speculations, but my guess is that Iliad preference is felt by fans who also like discussing whether the Enterprise D would be able to take on the original Death Star. Oh, and of course by Achilles/Patroclus OTPlers.Emily Wilson in her preface says that the Odyssey shows signs of/nods to earlier versions where Penelope did recognize Odysseus and/or was in on the plan. If the reviews of The Return are anything to go buy, in that film she totally recognizes him (but doesn‘t let him known she recognizes him, since he doesn‘t tell her). Which I also would not put beyond Penelope. As you say: they‘re made for each other.
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Hahaha. Well, for some reason I've always found those kinds of conversations boring, probably for the same reason I could never get into conlangs. But I do love military history, as you know, and it's for the same reason that I strongly prefer the Iliad to the Odyssey. And, of course, I'm a diehard Achilles/Patroclus OTP shipper. ;)
(Studiously avoiding Classics salon for now, so I can try to finish up the projects that are preventing me from having time to go all in on Classics salon!)
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Whee for projects! (*Fredersdorf pom-poms*)
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Projects are on HOLD, but will resume!
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This makes a lot of sense, particularly of the next chapters (which I've now read). I like it. I also need to check out The Return, clearly...
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So meant for each other! Delightful :D
Odysseus: "I do not blame you; any woman would mourn for a husband by whom she had children, / even if he were not the kind of man / they say your husband was -- a godlike hero."
cahn: uh-huh.
LOLLLLL