The Odyssey Summary:Book 20

The book begins with Odysseus observing the suitors taking women to their beds. He contemplates striking each one down but immediately quells his anger. Athena appears to Odysseus assuring him of his fated victory over the suitors and then casts sleep over hid eyes. Despite all the forewarnings of Odysseus’ return, Penelope still believes he resides in the underworld and wishes to join him there. Odysseus awakes at Dawn and prays to Zeus for a reassuring sign that his vengeance will succeed. Zeus grants this with a band of thunder.

The next day Philoitios takes Odysseus by the hand and welcomes him to Ithaka. He praises the beggar and talks about his wish for Odysseus’ return. The beggar then swears by Zeus that Odysseus will return soon to slaughter the suitors and regain his household. Meanwhile in a nearby field, the suitors are planning the murder of Telemakhos but quickly dismiss the plan after witnessing a sign: an eagle with a rockdove in his claws flying above them.

Later that day the suitors begin to feast. Telemakhos invites Odysseus to dine with them and Odysseus receives repeated physical and verbal abuse from the suitors but remains collected. Theoklymenos gives the suitors a warning that their crimson blood will fill the halls and death will overcome them.

The suitors continue to provoke Telemakhos with jokes about his friends. Penelope observes the suitors’ wild behavior while Odysseus and Athena prepare for vengeance.

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The Odyssey Summary > Book 20