The Odyssey Book Nineteen
Book Nineteen Odysseus and Telemachus begin this book by clearing the great hall of all its weapons. Athene is of course on hand to help; she holds a lantern as they do their work. He is also instructed to tell the suspicious suitors that he is rescuing the weapons from the smoke that was tarnishing them. He will also inform the suitors that he is moving the weapons for their own safety, in case they might use them against each other in a brawl. Eurycleia , a trusted maid, is told to lock up the other maids in their rooms so he can do this. The maids are not trusted because they are in league with the suitors.
Book Nineteen One of the maids (Melantho) who is clearing away the tables nearby Odysseus scolds him and tells him to leave the palace. Odysseus warns her that she, like him, might also experience misfortune, when the master of the house returns. She might find herself begging too. Penelope rebukes the maid for her conduct towards the guests. Odysseus is brought to Penelope and as he sits in front of her, they talk into the night. She begins by telling Odysseus how the suitors are pressing her to remarry which she does not want to do. She tells Odysseus the story of the woven burial cloth for Laertes, what is spun by day was undone at night thus delaying the marriage.
Book Nineteen The beggar tells the queen that long ago he entertained Odysseus and his men in his palace in Crete when the hero was on his way to Troy. The shrewd Penelope asks the guest to describe what Odysseus was wearing at that time. He then describes what Odysseus looked like and what clothes he wore. He is even able to describe Odysseus’ brooch. Penelope starts to cry when she hears about this. The guest tells her that Odysseus is returning home. He has garnered a fortune; and had lost all his men. The guest says that he has this news on the good authority of the king of Thesprotia. Penelope declares, she hopes this is all true but she is still uncertain of this reluctant to believe the beggar’s prediction.
Book Nineteen An old maid Eurycleia is then instructed to wash the beggar before he retires for the night. Odysseus does not want any of the other maids, whom he considers disloyal, to wash him. However, Eurycleia notices the scar on his leg. Odysseus received this wound many years earlier, before Troy, whilst he was on hunting trip with Autolycus at Parnassus. The tusk of a boar had pierced him during this hunting expedition. The old maid knew the story and origins of the flesh wound. Eurycleia recognises the wound: “Of course you are Odysseus my dear child”. She turns to Penelope, who is momentarily distracted by Athene. Odysseus pulls the old woman closer. She assures him of her loyalty and says she will be silent. She also tells him, she will identify the disloyal maids in the palace when the time is right.
Book Nineteen Odysseus and Penelope renew their conversation. The queen tells him of a dream she had, an omen: twenty of her geese had their necks broken by an eagle. Odysseus is convinced that just as the eagle killed the geese the master of the palace will slaughter the suitors. Finally, Penelope tells Odysseus that she is going to set a test for the suitors. The test involves shooting an arrow through twelve axe heads. The suitor who completes the test will be Penelope’s husband.
Book Nineteen: Important Points Note the cunning of Penelope: the test of the bow is ingenious. Some scholars argue that Penelope intuitively recognises her husband - the beggar - hence the axe and bow test. She knows only Odysseus can master this challenge. However, this may also be argued against: she is only using the test as another delaying tactic since Penelope knows no suitor will be able for the challenge.
Book Nineteen: Important Points Note how Odysseus’ disguise is holding up well. He has managed to maintain this despite the taunts and abuse of the suitors. However, his meeting with Penelope presents a different challenge. He now meets his beloved wife alone for the first time in twenty years. He must restrain his emotions and master his desire to reassure her that he is back. Odysseus will only reveal himself when the time is right. Note how once again Telemachus is asked to hide the weapons once he has moved them from the great hall. Telemachus’ involvement in the upcoming events is integral.