Andrew Markham’s Reviews > The Odyssey > Status Update

Book XXIII: Penelope is told by the nurse that Odysseus has indeed returned and slain the suitors. In disbelief, Penelope goes to meet Odysseus and listens to all of his tales of woe from the past two decades. The next morning, the reunited family leave the city with the swineherd and neatherd.

Book XXII: A fight ensues between Odysseus and the suitors.

Book XXI: Telemachus returns to the feast and declares a challenge to the suitors that he who can shoot an arrow through the head of a dozen axes can lay claim to Penelope. When Telemachus and the rest of the suitors fail to complete the task, Odysseus reveals his true identity and looses a shot that cleanly goes through the heads of all 12 arrows.

Book XX: Odysseus spends the night in the entrance hall subjected to more verbal assault by the suitors. The next evening at yet another feast, Telemachus becomes more bold in speaking back to the suitors and demanding they treat him and the house with respect. One of the suitors throws a cows hoof at Odysseus’ head which nearly causes Telemachus to snap and begin the slaughter of the suitors.

Book XIX: Odysseus tells Telemachus that now is the time to hide the weapons of all the feasting suitors and repeats the rationale to use to convince them of this. Still-disguised Odysseus is cared for by his own nurse who feels a scar on his chest that instantly makes her realize his true identity. Odysseus tells her to keep the secret from Penelope.

Book XVIII: Another beggar arrives at the feast and challenges disguised Odysseus to fisticuffs over the right to beg at Odysseus’ house. Odysseus easily defeats the other beggar and flaunts it over him a little. Antinous tries to stoke some guile towards disguised Odysseus, but eventually the suitors are convinced to leave the feast and return home to sleep.

Book XVII: Telemachus returns home and meets Penelope and a disguised Odysseus arrives shortly after. Odysseus begins begging for food around the feasting hall and is obliged by all, except Antonus. Antonus is offended by the beggar and throws his footstool at him below the right shoulder. Penelope denounces Antonus and prays that Odysseus and Telemachus will slay all of them and retake the house from the suitors.

Book XVI: Telemachus arrives to the swineherd’s house and after sending the swineherd to tell Penelope the news of her son’s return, Athene removes Odysseus’ disguise and the father and son have a reunion to plan how to take back their house. The herald from Telemachus’ ship arrives at the house before the swineherd and publicly declares the return of Telemachus. The ambush ship also returns to Ithaca.