The Odyssey - Book 18 - The Beggar-King of Ithaca

• Other beggar picks a fight with Odysseus

• Odysseus reveals his strong body under his rags. He holds his strength in check in order to beat, not kill, Irus.

• Odysseus warns Amphinomous of what is in store.

• Odysseus slips, and almost gives away, his true identity, but quickly catches himself. (146) He tries to explain in a simple but profound way to Amphinomous basic truths about life, but Amphinomous cannot grasp the message and goes off to his doom.

• Penelope, despite the fact that always in her mind is the suitors' plan to kill Telemachus, nevertheless asserts herself.

• Athena enhances her beauty as Athena enhanced Odysseus and Telemachus at strategic points (220). She, nevertheless, goes before the suitors and increases the lust in their hearts. She suggests they give her gifts, which idea Odysseus slyly smiles at.
• Try to figure out what is the purpose of Penelope
  • wanting to appear before the suitors (188)
  • getting made up (203)
  • being enhanced by Athena (220)
  • arousing the the suitors' sexual desire (241)
  • berating Telemachus (250)
  • recalling that Odysseus told her to get married if he doesn't come home when you see "the beard on the boy's cheek" (305)? Why does she bring up that she can get married now and get the suitors to bring gifts to show their rivalry for her? [Discuss Ody Bk18 Q01]