The Odyssey Summary:Book 17

Sometime during the morning Telemachus comes home from his visit with Nestor and Menelaus. He then speaks to his mother (Penelope) about his trip and how very kind and hospitable the two men were to him. Penelope expresses much happiness to see Telemachus back at home. Telemachus also informs his mother that it is rumored that Odysseus is still alive, trapped on an island with the sea nymph Calypso. Telemachus introduces Penelope to Theoclymenus. Theoclymenus is a man that was given freedom by Telemachus by allowing him to pass from Pylos into Ithaca. Theoclyclymenus is a soothsayer and tells both Telemachus and Penelope that Odysseus is somewhere in Ithaca, disguised as a beggar. He tells them that Odysseus is doing this to avenge the suitors of Penelope. Penelope does not believe what Theoclymenus is telling her but she wishes she could.

Meanwhile, Odysseus and his swine herder Eumaeus are approaching the palace. During their walk to the palace they meet Melanthius, he is the chief goat herder and is evil. When Melanthius sees Odysseus (disguised as a beggar), he taunts him and even kicks him. Even though this makes Odysseus mad, he controls his anger. Melanthius tries to taunt Odysseus more but Eumaeus defends him.

As Odysseus and Eumaeus approach the gate of the palace they see an old dog lying there. The dog is toothless and weary, obviously very old. Eumaeus tells Odysseus that the dog use to be his favorite hound and told him his name was Argus. The dog had not been taken care of for nineteen years, ever since Odysseus had been gone. After seeing his favorite hound, Odysseus bends down and lifts the dog’s head up, the dog makes a small cry and then dies. At this, a tear roles down Odysseus’s face.

After the sensitive scene with Argus, the two men enter the palace, where they see the suitors eating. Telemachus, holding onto his hospitable manners, offers Odysseus a seat, and allows him to beg from the suitors. All of the suitors provide Odysseus with something except for the leader of the suitors, Antinous. Instead of giving Odysseus anything, he hits him with a stool. Odysseus exchanges harsh words with Antinous, getting the remaining suitors’ attention. For the unwise act that Antinous committed, there will be revenge. With seeing all this action, Penelope is interested with the identity of this stranger, so she questions Eumaeus. Penelope thinks that maybe this stranger has some information about her husband, so she asks Eumaeus to bring Odysseus to her. Eumaeus takes this information back to Odysseus and Odysseus agrees to see her.

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The Odyssey Summary > Book 17