Odyssey+23

Summary:
The whole chapter is basically all about..Odysseus and Penelope. After Odysseus finishes purifying the hall where all the suitors were killed, he tells Eurycleia to go and fetch Penelope so he can see her at last after 20 years. When Eurycleia wakes Penelope up, she doesn't believe anything that Eurycleia says and she just tells her to go away so she can sleep. She finally goes downstairs but she is still in disbelief that it is Odysseus even though he is standing right in front of her. Odysseus is patient and understands. He then goes and cleans up and Athene makes him look even more handsome than ever. He has music play in the hall so passerbys do not suspect anything. After he is cleaned up Penelope, STILL doesn't believe that he is Odysseus but she thinks it is the gods playing a trick on her. She then says she is going to move their wedding bed, Odysseus then gets really mad and says that she wouldn't be able to move the bed because it is a special bed that is built on the roots of a tree. Penelope then knows that it is really Odysseus and they cry and embrace. After Odysseus leaves with the swineherd and the cowherd because he has to fufill Teriesias's prophecy.

Major Themes (and where they are):
Loyalty- page 301- Eurycleia, the nurse, only tells Penelope of Odysseus' arrival when he says that it's okay. Homeric Hero- Page 303- Telemachus talks back to his mother! Only Homeric heroes can do this without warranting a backhand to the kisser. Homeric Hero...ine? - page 305- Penelope tests Odysseus to make sure that it is really him. This is rather crafty of her, don't you think? Loyalty- page 307- FINALLY Odysseus decides to listen to the gods. About flippin time.

Locations Traveled (and mentioned):(Natalie)
Ithaca- Odysseus' palace Hades- Halls of hades



Study Guide Questions:
 ** How does Penelope respond when Eurycleia tells her Odysseus is back? (Paige) **

When Eurycleia tells Penelope that Odysseus is back she does not believer her because Penelope slept through the entire situation. However when Penelope comes down stairs she does not greet Odysseus after his long travels far away from home.

** What does Odysseus suggest doing to prevent the town from hearing about the suitors’ deaths right away? (Paige) **

He wants them took keep the secret quiet for a little while until they are all safe to tell other people. During this time they try not to show any expressions of what happened to any of the outside people passing nearby.

** How does Penelope test Odysseus? (Paige) **

Penelope decides to test Odysseus by moving her "bridal bed". Odysseus become angry and does not approve of this. When Penelope is finished testing Odysseus she knows that he is still loyal to her.

**What is so special about his bed? (Paige)**

The bed was built from the trunk of an olive tree, also the house was constructed around the bed.

** What must Odysseus do the following morning? (Paige) **

The next morning, Odysseus must leave to go to Laertes’ orchard.