When Odysseus returned to Ithaca, he kept his identity hidden, acting as a beggar. Eurycleia, who was Odysseus' nurse when he was a child, notices a scar above the hero's knee. Odysseus's identity is discovered by the housekeeper, Eurycleia, when she recognizes an old scar as she is washing his feet. However, Odysseus does not reveal himself to his wife, Penelope. Penelope's Recognition of Odysseus as a Beggar Essay example. Eurycleia, who was Odysseus' nurse when he was a child, notices a scar above the hero's knee. Summary: Book 21 Meanwhile, Odysseus follows Eumaeus and Philoetius outside. Penelope takes kindly to the stranger and orders her maid Eurycleia to bathe his feet and anoint them with oil. She recognizes a scar on his leg as one Odysseus received from a boar's tusk. Odysseus then strung the bow and shot his first arrow through the twelve axes. . He discovers that Penelope has been faithful, but his household has been overrun by suitors who spend their time carousing with his food and wine. Having been away from home for twenty years, Odyssey doesn't immediately reveal his identity to Penelope because he needs to ensure that he can trust her and that she remains loyal to him. First, we need to realize that Odysseus hides himself from many others and not just Penelope. Odysseus has a long talk with his queen Penelope but does not reveal his identity. His throne and the stability of his kingdom are at stake, so he must get it right. What motivates Penelope to test if it is the real Odysseus is that there are many people that want to be with her so it can be an imposter but also, he was gone for 20 years so what are the chances that he is alive and is standing before her . Answer (1 of 2): According to the Odyssey itself, there's still another adventure waiting for Odysseus after he's taken back his wife and kingdom. Why does Penelope test Odysseus toward the end of Part 2? People also ask, how does Odysseus defeat the suitors? Updated: 12/14/2021 Create an account Yet I will declare it, and will . What feelings or thoughts does Odysseus struggle with? why dost thou now so urgently bid me tell thee? However, it is portrayed subtly in the book that she does indeed know that the beggar is her husband. Penelope then knows that he is her husband. He still plans to settle scores with Penelope's suitors, but he doesn't simply head to . Odysseus's quick thinking helps him out of some very tough situations, as when he escapes from the cave of the Cyclops in . He reveals his real identity to his son, Telemakhos, as well as a few others who he would need to help kill the suitors. More irony! Odysseus then revealed his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius and recruited them to help kill the suitors. Summary: Book 21 Meanwhile, Odysseus follows Eumaeus and Philoetius outside. Also know, how does Odysseus reveal himself to Penelope? World literature. One of the suitors of Helen, Odysseus was obliged to join the Trojan expedition - something he didn't want to, since he was more than happy alongside his wife, Penelope, and his newborn son, Telemachus, and he knew from a prophecy that if he goes to Troy, it will take him a long time to come back home. She asks him to spell her middle name. Why does odysseus reveal his identity to the swine herd and cowherd during the suitors' contest? Does Penelope recognize Odysseus in Book 19? She tests Odysseus by ordering her servant Eurycleia to move their marriage bed. She wants him to demonstrate to the people that he is really their king. She tests him by having Eurycleia provide a place to sleep by moving a bed into the hallway. Click to see full answer. how does the order in which Odysseus reveals himself to his friends and loved ones build suspense - 1075390 She displays generous hospitality, loyalty to her husband, discretion, kindness, and love for her son. When he steps back inside, Telemachus is amazed at the transformation - he thinks Odysseus must be a god, since only . Odysseus has a chance to converse with Penelope, but neither revealed their true intent or feelings, remaining critical and thoughtful instead. Odysseus becomes angry because he built the bed out of a tree trunk and knew it could not be removed unless significantly changed. The Odyssey. struggling against Penelope's suitors; since Odysseus had not returned for about 20 years, the suitors came in order to assume a role as king of Ithaca. How has he been careful in keeping that information to himself from Books 5-8? Odysseus is truly loyal to Penelope because he leaves Ogygia (where he was trapped) as soon as possible, puts all of his effort into making it home to his wife, and even flirts with Princess Nausicaa to get him home. Eurycleia tries to tell Penelope about the beggar's true identity, but Athena makes sure that Penelope cannot hear her. Odysseus reveals his identity to Penelope, but she is skeptical. He assures himself of their loyalty and then reveals his identity to them by means of the scar on his foot. morganleeulrich. These are two servants of his household. However, Odysseus does not reveal himself to his wife, Penelope. To marry them. Just before Odysseus steps forward to try the bow, he reveals his identity to two . When in the Odyssey does Odysseus kill the suitors? 8. Odysseus has a long talk with his queen Penelope but does not reveal his identity. When does Odysseus reveal his identity? She recognizes the beggar as her long lost husband and chooses not to unveil his true identity. Answer (1 of 3): From Wikipedia…. His most distinguishing trait, however, is his sharp intellect. 55 terms. He assures himself of their loyalty and then reveals his identity to them by means of the scar on his foot. Why doesn't Odysseus reveal his identity to eumaeus? His anger, and the fact that he knows the story of the bed, proves his identity. Why is it ironic that Odysseus should return to Ithaca in beggar's rags? That is why he chooses to hide his identity. How does Odysseus prove his identity to Penelope? Why did Odysseus reveal his Cyclops identity? Odysseus reveals his true identity to his son, and they work out a plan to defeat the suitors.Athena takes this opportunity to alter Odysseus' appearance once more, turning him into a strapping image of his former self; he looks like a god to the shocked and skeptical TelemachusTelemachusTelemachus (/təˈlɛməkəs/ tə-LEM-ə-kəs; Ancient . Odysseus True Identity In Homer's Odyssey. When Odysseus returns, Penelope doesn't recognize him and cannot be sure that Odysseus is really who he says he is. Therefore she acts as if she does not know the beggar is Odysseus. Because Odysseus was dressed as a beggar just moments before. How does Penelope test Odysseus? Book 21 Recap of Book 21 of The Odyssey Anyone who tried failed to even string the bow. Why did Odysseus reveal his Cyclops identity? Odysseus has a chance to converse with Penelope, but neither revealed their true intent or feelings, remaining critical and thoughtful instead. She threatens to kill him unless Athena appears and convinces her of Odysseus's. identity. Inside the house, the suitors are inevitably failing the test. For this reason, Odysseus, Telemachus, and Athena often prefer to leave her in the dark about matters rather than upset her. We also see this anxiety in book 20 when he is tossing and turning in bed (like a sizzling sausage) worrying about his plans to kill the suitors. Odysseus travels to the Land of the Dead to speak with the prophet Tiresias. Odysseus reveals his true identity to his son, and they work out a plan to defeat the suitors.Athena takes this opportunity to alter Odysseus' appearance once more, turning him into a strapping image of his former self; he looks like a god to the shocked and skeptical TelemachusTelemachusTelemachus (/təˈlɛməkəs/ tə-LEM-ə-kəs; Ancient . Although Odysseus has arrived back in his homeland in Ithaca, he doesn't reveal his true identity right away. In Homer's epic The Odyssey, Odysseus returns to the island of Ithaka disguised as a beggar. When Odysseus returned to Ithaca, he kept his identity hidden, acting as a beggar. Sets found in the same folder. The goddess Athena is Odysseus's patron. When in the Odyssey does Odysseus kill the suitors? . There are two answer for this question. Odysseus becomes angry because he built the bed out of a tree trunk and knew it could not be removed unless significantly changed. Penelope wants to question this beggar to see if he has news of Odysseus (p. 272). When Odysseus returns, Penelope doesn't recognize him and cannot be sure that Odysseus is really who he says he is. She makes Odysseus look like himself again. An old beggar; Odysseus dressed in disguise because if he wouldn't have, the suitors would've killed him and he also wanted to see who was still faithful to him while he was gone. About Us Trending In Book 22 of The Odyssey, Odysseus reveals his true identity to everyone and begins slaughtering the suitors. Odysseus reveals his identity to Penelope, but she is skeptical. Odysseus did not reveal his identity to Penelope, but he did speak to her privately one night at the palace. He promises to treat them as Telemachus's brothers if they fight by his side against the suitors. answer choices. What does this reveal about her character and how she has been affected by her husband's absence? His son, Telemachus, brought Odysseus to his home and treated him to a meal. Summary: Book 21 Meanwhile, Odysseus follows Eumaeus and Philoetius outside. Her cares make her somewhat flighty and excitable, however. Odysseus then revealed his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius and recruited them to help kill the suitors. In . What does Penelope promise the winner of the contest? > And Odysseus of many wiles answered her, and said: "Strange lady! Odysseus's identity is discovered by the housekeeper, Eurycleia, when she recognizes an old scar as she is washing his feet. Why didn't Telemachus believe his father when Odysseus revealed his true identity to him? She tests Odysseus by ordering her servant Eurycleia to move their marriage bed. Part of this is undoubtedly to keep his return a secret. Athena approaches the farm, but only Odysseus and the dogs can see her. Eurycleia tries to tell Penelope about the beggar's true identity, but Athena makes sure that Penelope cannot hear her. She makes Odysseus look like himself again. Penelope does this because she realized that her husband would be in danger, in his current surroundings, if she was to reveal who he really was. She tells the servants to bring out his bed and then waits for his reaction. Changes him old to young. During their interview, Penelope told Odysseus that she had been fending off the obnoxious suitors for years, but that she had decided to marry whichever one of them could string Odysseus' old bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe . Though she has not seen Odysseus in twenty years, and despite pressure the suitors place on her to remarry, Penelope never loses faith in her husband. 12) Why does Odysseus fail to reveal his identity to Penelope when they are first reunited? Odysseus then swe. Why doesn't Odysseus reveal his identity to Penelope? 21. However, outside, Odysseus is trying to find out whether the servants are still loyal to him. Even though Odysseus has been stranded from home for many years, he still remains loyal to his wife. Penelope's comment, when she hears of this shocking violation of XENIA in her home, says: 'So may you [Antinous] be struck by the Archer God.' You will see the irony in this prayer when Odysseus reveals his identity to the suitors. What motivates Penelope to test Odysseus's identity? The challenge involves a feat that only Odysseus has performed before . After Odysseus and his crew kill many suitors, Athena joins in and ends the battle. Penelope's Recognition of Odysseus as a Beggar Essay example However, Odysseus does not reveal himself to his wife, Penelope. He reveals his identity to them by showing them the scar on his foot, and he promises that if they help him win, he will treat them like his own sons. She wants to know if he is really her husband. However, Odysseus does not reveal himself to his wife, Penelope. How does Odysseus reveal himself to Penelope? Penelope's Recognition of Odysseus as a Beggar Essay example. Odysseus immediately and sternly swears her to silence, forbidding her even to tell Penelope his identity. He walks outside to talk to her, and she tells Odysseus to reveal his true identity to Telemachus so that the two can plan their revenge against the suitors. Also, Odysseus knows how distraught Penelope is over the absence . Odysseus does not reveal his identity to Penelope, because like Russell said, he is very paranoid about his plans to kill the suitors. He walks outside to talk to her, and she tells Odysseus to reveal his true identity to Telemachus so that the two can plan their revenge against the suitors. Odysseus has not given the Phaecians his name to this point; he finally reveals his identity after being cornered by Alcinous after his emotional reactions to Demodocus' songs. He promises to treat them as Telemachus's brothers if they fight by his side against the suitors. It's significant that Odysseus's stratagem requires him to conceal his reputation and identify himself as "Nobody." The Odyssey explores the nature of identity and the tension between a person's reputation in the world and who he is in his inner life. Furthermore, by remaining hidden from Penelope, he can take care of his business with the suitors, and reveal himself when he is ready. Odysseus then strung the bow and shot his first arrow through the twelve axes. . She wants to know more details about the Trojan War. Although Odysseus has arrived back in his homeland in Ithaca, he doesn't reveal his true identity right away. She tests him by having Eurycleia provide a place to sleep by moving a bed into the hallway. He assures himself of their loyalty and then reveals his . His son, Telemachus, brought Odysseus to his home and treated him to a meal. When he gets there, he makes a blood sacrifice so that the spirits of the dead will . Odysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. He still plans to settle scores with Penelope's suitors, but he doesn't simply head to . However, Odysseus does not reveal himself to his wife, Penelope. 17. She recognizes the beggar as her long lost husband and chooses not to unveil his true identity. Book 21 Recap of Book 21 of The Odyssey Anyone who tried failed to even string the bow. However, Odysseus does not reveal himself to his wife, Penelope. Under the guidance of Athena, Odysseus has decided not to reveal his true identity yet and instead constructs a persona. How does Athena transform Odysseus just before he reveals his identity to Telemachus? What qualities does Penelope reveal about herself through her actions on page 933? After the bath, Penelope rejoins the beggar/Odysseus and reveals that she will conduct a contest the following day to select a husband and satisfy the suitors. She wants to see if he is still as intelligent as he was in his youth. She tells her slave to move her bed into the hallway and waits for Odysseus's reaction. Odysseus wishes to test Penelope's faithfulness. She recognizes the beggar as her long lost husband and chooses not to unveil his true identity. She recognizes the beggar as her long lost husband and chooses not to unveil his true identity. When he steps back inside, Telemachus is amazed at the transformation - he thinks Odysseus must be a god, since only . Penelope takes kindly to the stranger and orders her maid Eurycleia to bathe his feet and anoint them with oil. Is Odysseus a trustworthy narrator? Odysseus then swears Eurycleia to secrecy. She recognizes the beggar as her long lost husband and chooses not to unveil his true identity. Why doesn't the goddess Athena get Odysseus home sooner? answer choices. Odysseus . Odysseus slips his name in order to show the Cyclops that he was the one who defeated him. Telemachus then kills the twelve female servants disloyal to Odysseus. Penelope then knows that he is her husband. Explore a summary and quotes from the book, following the events of Penelope's contest in which Odysseus reveals himself, requests the bow, and plans a slaughter. His anger, and the fact that he knows the story of the bed, proves his identity. Athena approaches the farm, but only Odysseus and the dogs can see her. 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