Book 19

• Book 19


  lines 1-52Odysseus and Telemachus hide the weapons
• Why do you think Odysseus suggests hiding the weapons in the palace?

  So the Suitors are more defenceless when he launches his attack (Book 22).
• What two excuses does he instruct Telemachus to give for the removal of the weapons?

  i) To stop them getting dirty from the smoke of the fire.

  
  

  ii) To prevent the Suitors fighting each other with them.
• Why do you think Telemachus tells the nurse to shut the women in their rooms?

  To keep the location of the weapons secret from the disloyal maids.
• What reason does Telemachus give for the Stranger helping him?

  So that the Stranger can earn/pay for the food he has eaten.
• Telemachus thinks of this excuse on the spot. What does that say about his character?

  It is a quick-witted excuse - he is cunning, like his father.
• Which of these weapons is not ordered to be removed from the great hall?

  
  

  1. Spears;

  2. Swords;

  3. Shields;

  4. Helmets.

  2. Swords

  
• How does Athene physically help them hide the weapons?

  She lights the way.
• Who can see her at this particular moment?

  No one - but Telemachus (excitedly) senses a god's presence.
• Where does Odysseus tell Telemachus to go and where does he say he is going?

  Odysseus tells Telemachus to go to bed while he goes to see his mother (Penelope).
• Book 19


  lines 53-99Penelope prepares to question the Stranger
• Penelope is compared to two goddesses, Artemis and Aphrodite. Which do you think is more appropriate for her character and why?

  Aphrodite is the goddess of sexual love, and Penelope is Odysseus' wife, so that works. But perhaps Artemis is even more fitting, since Penelope has stayed celibate for him for 20 years (Artemis is the virgin goddess).
• Icmalius, the maker of Penelope's chair is not mentioned anywhere else. Why do you think Homer bothers to mention his name at all?

  It adds realism (every chair has a maker) and conveys her royal status (he sounds like a master craftsman).
• What three things do the maidservants do when they come into the hall?

  i) Clear the tables.

  
  

  ii) Rake the ashes.

  
  

  iii) Put more wood on the fire.
• How does the maidservant Melantho show bad xenia to the Stranger?


  She tells him (Telemachus' guest) to get out. She even threatens violence.
• How is Odysseus' reply ironic? Make three points.

  i) He says "I too once had a home of my own" even though he is in his own house.

  ii) He says "I had countless servants" to one of his own servants.

  iii) He says (of himself) "Even if he is dead, which seems likely" despite being very much alive.

  
  

  (It's because Melantho doesn't know who Odysseus is that these statements are ironic)
• How does Penelope speak to Melantho? Why do you think she reacts in this way?

  Penelope has a go at Melantho because she is desperate to hear what news the Stranger has of Odysseus.
• Book 19


  lines 100-163Penelope and Odysseus converse
• How is Penelope continuing to show respect for the rules of xenia here?

  She makes sure Odysseus is seated comfortably before asking him who he is.
• What does Odysseus compare her to?


  He says her fame is like that of an excellent king who rules his people well.
• What does he ask her not to question him about?

  His people or his native country.
• "Nor is it right for me to sit wailing and crying in another's house" - how is this ironic?


  Because he is actually in his own house.
• What are these things Penelope mentions:

  
  

  i) Argives

  
  

  ii) Ilium

  i) Argives = Greeks

  
  

  ii) Ilium = Troy
• Pick out a quote from Penelope's speech which shows her devotion to Odysseus.


  "If only he might return and cherish this life of mine"

  
  

  or

  
  

  "(I) waste my heart instead in longing for Odysseus."
• Explain Penelope's trick to deceive the Suitors:

  
  

  What did she make and what inspired her?

  How did she deceive the Suitors?

  How long did her deception last?

  How was she discovered?

  She made a shroud for Laertes, inspired by a god (Athene?).

  
  

  She deceived the Suitors by unpicking her weaving at night.

  
  

  She fooled them for three years.

  
  

  But some of her maids found out and told her to finish it.
• What family pressures are there for her to remarry?

  Her parents want her to remarry; her son Telemachus is concerned about his inheritance being wasted away.
• Book 19


  lines 164-219Odysseus tells a false tale
• Where does Odysseus (the Stranger) claim to be from?


  Crete
• Who does he say his brother was and where did his brother go?

  Idomeneus; he went to Troy to fight in the Trojan War.
• What does Odysseus (the Stranger) say his own name is?

  Aethon
• What does he say happened to Odysseus on the way to Troy?

  He was blown off course and nearly shipwrecked on Crete.
• How does the Stranger show good xenia in his own story?

  He feasted Odysseus and his men lavishly for twelve days while they were stranded.
• Explain the effectiveness of the simile Homer uses to describe Penelope's reaction to the story.


  He says her tears drenched her cheeks like mountain rivers overflowing with the melting snow. The simile emphasises her sadness and her fondness for Odysseus.
• What does Odysseus' reaction reveal about his character?

  Odysseus shows good self-control in the situation - he pities Penelope but does not let his disguise slip.
• What test does Penelope set the Stranger to see if he is telling the truth?

  She asks him about Odysseus' clothes, character and companions.
• How long ago does the Stranger say he last saw Odysseus?

  20 years ago
• What colour cloak was Odysseus wearing at the time?

  purple
• What was special about the brooch he wore?

  It was gold with an incredibly detailed hunting scene on it.
• Why might his tunic have been "gleaming like...a dried onion's skin"?

  Because onion skins were used as a clothing dye in the Bronze Age.
• List three ways Odysseus ends up complimenting himself (and Penelope) with his description. ("All the women ... ranked as high.")


  i) He says Odysseus' clothing was admired (which Penelope gave him).

  
  

  ii) He says Odysseus had many friends.

  
  

  iii) He says Odysseus ranked very highly among the Achaeans (Greeks).