Book 17-20 Summary

Book 17-20: Telemachos leaves Eumaios to see his mother and takes Odysseus to beg in town, Penelope welcomes her son and hears his stories of when he traveled, he lies and says he is still captive on Calypso's island. When Eumaios and Odysseus get to town, Melanthios taunts Odysseus and kicks him. Odysseus begs from the suitors and they give him bread, but Antinoos turns against him. Telemachos defends his father and the others give him food. Penelope asks Eumaios to bring the beggar to her room to see if he knows anything about Odysseus, and they plan on meeting later on.
Next Iros, an actual beggar enters the palace and demands Odysseus leave, and challenges him to a fight. Odysseus' strong body intimidates Iros, and he takes him out side and knocks him out. The suitors congratulate him with food. Penelope comes down stairs and announces she has no choice but to choose one of the suitors to marry, due to Athena's convincing. One of the maids Melantho, is rude to Odysseus and insults him, she also refuses to listen to him. Eurymachos makes multiple jokes about Odysseus and then throws a stool at him. The suitors think they are wasting their time with the beggar and go to bed. Odysseus meets with Penelope and reminds her that he was once powerful, he also tells her Odysseus will return soon. Penelope questions his origins and he says it's too hurtful to explain. She then explains her situation with the suitors and how she has no strength to resist marriage. Penelope asks for proof and a description of her husband and some of his companions. She begins to cry and believes that he really did know Odysseus. Odysseus reassures her that he is on his way home and will be home shortly. Penelope is certain Odysseus is dead. She tells her maids to take care of Odysseus, and they wash his feet. While the maid Euryclia is washing his feet she sees a old scar that she recognizes as Odysseus'. Odysseus makes her vow not to tell his secret. Penelope asks Odysseus to interpret a dream she had about an eagle that preys on geese and he says it means Odysseus is going to come back and fight the suitors. Odysseus sleeps out side of Penelope's room and sees some maids going to sleep with some of the suitors and is silently outraged. Odysseus prays to Athena and Zeus while he hears Penelope crying and praying to Artemis. Zeus sends down thunder which Odysseus believes means this will be the suitors' last day. Melanthios agian gives Odysseus grief in the morning, but he resists to fight back. The suitors begin planning to kill Telemachos but Anphinomos sees an eagle fly over and backs out. Next, they have a feast and Telemachos tells all of them to leave the beggar alone. They agree, but insist that Odysseus is dead and Penelope should pick a husband. Telemachos tells them that he cannot force his mother to marry, and they laugh at him.

Characters:
Telemachos
Odysseus
Penelope
Zeus
Athena
Eurymachos
Artemis
Melanthios
Anphinomos
Antinoos
Eumaios
Iros
Euryclia