Both Odysseus and his beloved queen have a troublesome night. Odysseus is unsure of victory against such a great number of suitors while Penelope wants to die rather than entertain a lesser man than her believed-to-be-lost husband.
Athena encourages Odysseus who, upon hearing his wife's distress, asks Zeus for a portent concerning the suitors. Zeus is quick to act with the sign of doom.
Dawn spreads herself again across the land of Ithaka. Odysseus and Telemachos meet with the swineherd and some others. Now to dinner. Athena makes sure that the suitors are especially rude so Odysseus won't loose any anger against them. A very rude suitor throws an ox hoof at Odysseus, who effortlessly dodges. This stirs Telemachos to much anger. He rebukes the suitor with harsh words and threats.
Then Telemachos is spoken against by a suitor speaking of Telemachos' treachery at preventing his mother from marrying a new man. Telemachos is insulted at this remark and quickly defends his intentions for his mother. But this only serves to create laughter among the suitors.
Then, unbeknown to the suitors, the walls bleed and darkness fills the room. The prophet, Theoklymenos, who Telemachos granted passage from Nestor's land, interpreted this as a sign of doom for the wretched suitors. But his words bolster the suitors laughter. He then storms out of the palace leaving the suitors to their fate.
Telemachos is then insulted for his choice of guests. He pays no attention. His mind is all on his father. The time is coming closer "for [the suitors] had first begun the wrongdoing."
Stayed to for another awesome post for "My Odyssey Through the Great Books." Bye. ^_^
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