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Q: Why does Penelope take Odysseus' hunting bow to the hall where the suitors are?
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WHERE does Odysseus fight off the suitors?

Odysseus kills the suitors in the Great Hall in his palace.


How does Odysseus' son Telemakhos help in the raid against the suitors?

Telemachus first ensures his mother's safety by getting Penelope to go back to the safety of her room. He helps prepare the suitors' death by telling Eumaeus to tell Euryclea to tell the maids to bar shut the doors of the hall. Telemachus stands by his father's side with sword and spear after Odysseus strings his bow, and shoots the arrow through the 12 axe handles. He then proceeds to help kill the suitors. Telemachus kills Euryades with his spear during the first volley, and Amphimedon with the second spear volley. He then kills Leocritus, son of Evenor. It is assumed he kills several other men, although they are not named. Later on, he tells Odysseus whom to spare.


What persuades Telemachus to continue his search for his father?

The goddess, Athene, goes in disguise to Ithaca to encourage Telemachus to deal in a manly fashion with the Suitors who are courting his mother, Penelope, and with finding out what has happened to his father. She plays a large role in aiding Telemachus to search for his father, primarily because she was very fond of Odysseus and wanted him to return home to Ithaca. Telemachus would also play a role in the battle in the hall, very important for Odysseus' success.


What did Telemachus do after Odysseus shot the arrow and it passed through the axes?

After the arrow shot by Odysseus passed through the axes, Telemachus took charge of the situation and removed the weapons from the Great Hall. He then ordered the disloyal maidservants to clean the Hall and dispose of the bodies. Finally, he continued to assist his father in the subsequent battle against the suitors.


What happened when Odysseus came home?

Book Thirteen When Odysseus has finished his tale, the king orders him sped to Ithaca. The sailors put him down on the beach asleep. Athena casts a protective mist about him that keeps him from recognizing his homeland. Finally the goddess reveals herself and dispells the mist. In joy Odysseus kisses the ground. Athena transforms him into an old man as a disguise. Clad in a filthy tunic, he goes off to find his faithful swineherd, as instructed by the goddess. Book Fourteen Eumaeus the swineherd welcomes the bedraggled stranger. He throws his own bedcover over a pile of boughs as a seat for Odysseus, who does not reveal his identity. Observing Zeus's commandment to be kind to guests, Eumaeus slaughters a prime boar and serves it with bread and wine. Odysseus, true to his fame as a smooth-talking schemer, makes up an elaborate story of his origins. That night the hero sleeps by the fire under the swineherd's spare cloak, while Eumaeus himself sleeps outside in the rain with his herd. Book Fifteen Athena summons Telemachus home and tells him how to avoid an ambush by the suitors. Meanwhile back on Ithaca, Odysseus listens while the swineherd Eumaeus recounts the story of his life. He was the child of a prosperous mainland king, whose realm was visited by Phoenician traders. His nursemaid, a Phoenician herself, had been carried off by pirates as a girl and sold into slavery. In return for homeward passage with her countrymen, she kidnapped Eumaeus. He was bought by Odysseus' father, whose queen raised him as a member of the family. Book Sixteen Telemachus evades the suitors' ambush. Following Athena's instructions, he proceeds to the farmstead of Eumaeus. There he makes the acquaintance of the tattered guest and sends Eumaeus to his mother to announce his safe return. Athena restores Odysseus' normal appearance, enchancing it so that Telemachus takes him for a god. "No god am I," Odysseus assures him, "but your own father, returned after these twenty years." They fall into each other's arms. Later they plot the suitors' doom. Concerned that the odds are fifty-to-one, Telemachus suggests that they might need reinforcements. "Aren't Zeus and Athena reinforcement enough?" asks Odysseus. Book Seventeen Disguised once more as an old beggar, Odysseus journeys to town. On the trail he encounters an insolent goatherd named Melantheus, who curses and tries to kick him. At his castle gate, the hero is recognized by a decrepid dog that he raised as a pup. Having seen his master again, the old hound dies. At Athena's urging Odysseus begs food from the suitors. One man, Antinous, berates him and refuses so much as a crust. He even hurls his footstool at Odysseus, hitting him in the back. This makes even the other suitors nervous, for sometimes the gods masquerade as mortals to test their righteousness. Book Eighteen Now a real beggar shows up at the palace and warns Odysseus off his turf. This man, Irus, is always running errands for the suitors. Odysseus says that there are pickings enough for the two of them, but Irus threatens fisticuffs and the suitors egg him on. Odysseus rises to the challenge and rolls up his tunic into a boxer's belt. The suitors goggle at the muscles revealed. Not wishing to kill Irus with a single blow, Odysseus breaks his jaw instead. Another suitor, Eurymachus, marks himself for revenge by trying to hit Odysseus with a footstool as Antinoos had done. Book Nineteen Odysseus has a long talk with his queen Penelope but does not reveal his identity. Penelope takes kindly to the stranger and orders her maid Eurycleia to bathe his feet and anoint them with oil. Eurycleia, who was Odysseus' nurse when he was a child, notices a scar above the hero's knee. Odysseus had been gored by a wild boar when hunting on Mount Parnassus as a young man. The maid recognizes her master at once, and her hand goes out to his chin. But Odysseus silences her lest she give away his plot prematurely. Book Twenty The next morning Odysseus asks for a sign, and Zeus sends a clap of thunder out of the clear blue sky. A servant recognizes it as a portent and prays that this day be the last of the suitors' abuse. Odysseus encounters another herdsman. Like the swineherd Eumaeus, this man, who tends the realm's cattle, swears his loyalty to the absent king. A prophet, an exiled murderer whom Telemachus has befriended, shares a vision with the suitors: "I see the walls of this mansion dripping with your blood." The suitors respond with gales of laughter. Book Twenty-One Penelope now appears before the suitors in her glittering veil. In her hand is a stout bow left behind by Odysseus when he sailed for Troy. "Whoever strings this bow," she says, "and sends an arrow straight through the sockets of twelve ax heads lined in a row -- that man will I marry." The suitors take turns trying to bend the bow to string it, but all of them lack the strength. Odysseus asks if he might try. The suitors refuse, fearing that they'll be shamed if the beggar succeeds. But Telemachus insists and his anger distracts them into laughter. As easily as a bard fitting a new string to his lyre, Odysseus strings the bow and sends an arrow through the ax heads. At a sign from his father, Telemachus arms himself and takes up a station by his side. Book Twenty-Two Antinous, ringleader of the suitors, is just lifting a drinking cup when Odysseus puts an arrow through his throat. The goatherd sneaks out and comes back with shields and spears for the suitors, but now Athena appears. She sends the suitors' spearthrusts wide, as Odysseus, Telemachus and the two faithful herdsmen strike with volley after volley of lances. They finish off the work with swords. Those of the housemaids who consorted with the suitors are hung by the neck in the courtyard, while the treacherous goatherd is chopped to bits. Book Twenty-Three The mansion is purged with fire and brimstone. Odysseus tells everyone to dress in their finest and dance, so that passers-by won't suspect what's happened. Even Odysseus could not hold vengeful kinfolk at bay. Penelope still won't accept that it's truly her husband without some secret sign. She tells a servant to make up his bed in the hall. "Who had the craft to move my bed?" storms Odysseus. "I carved the bedpost myself from the living trunk of an olive tree and built the bedroom around it." Penelope rushes into his arms. Book Twenty-Four The next morning Odysseus goes upcountry to the vineyard where his father, old King Laertes, labors like a peasant. Meanwhile, the kin of the suitors have gathered at the assembly ground, where the father of the suitor Antinous fires them up for revenge. Odysseus, his father and Telemachus meet the challenge. Laertes casts a lance through the helmet of Antinous' father, who falls to the ground in a clatter of armor. But the fighting stops right there. Athena tells the contending parties to live together in peace down through the years to come

Related questions

WHERE does Odysseus fight off the suitors?

Odysseus kills the suitors in the Great Hall in his palace.


What is Penelope's reaction to the events that occur in the hall?

Penelope initially shows surprise and confusion at the events in the hall, particularly Odysseus' return and his demonstration of the suitors. As she processes what is happening, she becomes cautious and reserved, testing Odysseus to ensure he is truly her husband before fully embracing him.


When the disguised Odysseus enters the hall the suitors?

When the disguised Odysseus enters the hall, the suitors treat him poorly, mocking and insulting him. They show their disrespect by belittling his appearance and challenging him to various trials of strength and skill, unaware of his true identity.


What must Odysseus do after he arrives home from his 20 year journey?

Odysseus returns to the island of Ithaca to hear that his house was plagued with many suitors, demanding Penelope in marriage. Therefore, he disguises himself as a beggar, and enters the estate. He enters the hut of the swineherd, Eumaeus, one of the few honest servants left on his kingdom. He still has no idea who Odysseus is, and meanwhile Telemachus approaches. He, Odysseus' son, has been gone from Ithaca for a year, and came back when Athena warned him about the suitors. When they meet, Telemachus too has no idea who Odysseus is. When Athena reveals his identity, Telemachus and Odysseus weep and embrace each other. After that, Telemachus, the swineherd and Odysseus meet Penelope, who embraces Telemachus Odysseus' old dog is the only one in the hall who recognizes him, and Penelope, after hearing the beggar has news about Odysseus, wants to learn more. During a late night chat between the two, Penelope orders Eurycleia to wash Odysseus' feet-a sign of respect-for the beggar had brought news that Odysseus was coming home now. However, Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus, and he quickly swears her to secrecy. The next day, Penelope decides to test the suitors by handing them Odysseus' massive bow. Many try to string it, but not a single one can't. While this progresses, Odysseus has sneaked out and followed the swineherd and the cowherd. When he reveals his identity, both men embrace him, but he quickly tells him a plan he had thought of. Odysseus enters the hall where the suitors are being attempted. The suitors complain, but Penelope allows him to test himself (Penelope still does not know his identity). The swineherd and cowherd removed Penelope and the maids from the hall, and previously Telemachus stripped the room of arms. For brevity, all four of them slay the suitors and kill the unfaithful servants. After that, Odysseus' identity is revealed Penelope. Suspecting a trick, she decides to test Odysseus. I tried to be as concise as possible, I hope you got the important facts over this.


What is the climax of The Odyssey?

The climax of "The Odyssey" is when Odysseus finally returns home to Ithaca, defeats the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand, and reveals his true identity to his son Telemachus. This moment marks the resolution of the main conflict in the story and Odysseus' journey to reclaim his home and family.


How does Penelope affect Odysseus?

Penelope's unwavering loyalty and clever deception play a crucial role in helping Odysseus maintain hope and eventually return home. Her faithfulness despite numerous suitors vying for her hand showcases her commitment and love for Odysseus, serving as a source of motivation for him throughout his long journey back to Ithaca.


What planning does Odysseus do before battling the suitors?

Before battling the suitors, Odysseus plans with his son Telemachus and loyal servants to ensure they have the upper hand. He devises a strategy to remove the weapons from the hall where the suitors are gathered, while also keeping his identity hidden until the right moment to reveal himself and strike. Odysseus also seeks help from Athena to aid him in defeating the suitors.


Who scorns Odysseus for the second time when she sees him in the great hall?

Antinous, one of the suitors, scorns Odysseus when he sees him in the great hall of his home. Antinous insults Odysseus and throws a stool at him, displaying his disrespectful and arrogant behavior towards the returning king.


How does Odysseus prove identity to Penelope?

Odysseus proves his identity to Penelope by recounting a secret about their bed that only he would know, as it was constructed by him and is immovable. This knowledge convinces Penelope that the man before her is truly her husband, Odysseus, and not an imposter.


How does Odysseus' son Telemakhos help in the raid against the suitors?

Telemachus first ensures his mother's safety by getting Penelope to go back to the safety of her room. He helps prepare the suitors' death by telling Eumaeus to tell Euryclea to tell the maids to bar shut the doors of the hall. Telemachus stands by his father's side with sword and spear after Odysseus strings his bow, and shoots the arrow through the 12 axe handles. He then proceeds to help kill the suitors. Telemachus kills Euryades with his spear during the first volley, and Amphimedon with the second spear volley. He then kills Leocritus, son of Evenor. It is assumed he kills several other men, although they are not named. Later on, he tells Odysseus whom to spare.


What persuades Telemachus to continue his search for his father?

The goddess, Athene, goes in disguise to Ithaca to encourage Telemachus to deal in a manly fashion with the Suitors who are courting his mother, Penelope, and with finding out what has happened to his father. She plays a large role in aiding Telemachus to search for his father, primarily because she was very fond of Odysseus and wanted him to return home to Ithaca. Telemachus would also play a role in the battle in the hall, very important for Odysseus' success.


What has the author M Penelope Hall written?

M Penelope Hall has written: 'The social services of modern England'