Book 20 (by Noopur)

Book 20

In this book, Penelope prays to Artemis to shoot her with an arrow and kill her. She does this because of her grief over Odysseus. If you were in this situation, would you wish for the same thing? How long would it take for you to start wishing you were dead too and what would you do about it? What does this show about Penelope's feelings for Odysseus? If you had to give her ONE characteristic, a one word description to describe her throughout the story to this very book, what would that word be? Why?

Book 20 by John Berdon

In book 20, the suitors meet and once again are plotting Telemachus' murder, but one suitor talks them out of it. Who is this suitor, and what does this show about his character? Also, when the suitors are laughing at Telemachus' threats, the walls and they are covered in blood, and their faces are ghost like. What does this mean, and what is being foreshadowed? Do you think that this book this will lead to the climax? Why or why not?

Book 19

Why do you think Penelope refuses to believe anything she hears about Odysseus? For example, when the beggar tells her that Odysseus is in Ithaca. Why do you think that Odysseus would not let anybody bathe him but somebody thats gone through as much as he has? Do you think that Penelope tells the beggar that she is having a contest between the suitors the next day because she thinks it will reveal Odysseus. If so, why? Why do you think Penelope chose the contest between the suitors, in which the suitors have to shoot 12 arrows through 12 consecutive axe heads?

Discussion Questions Book 18 (by Carly)

What is the significance of Odysseus being portrayed as a beggar? How is his character revealed throughout the chapter? When the two beggars are fighting, why does Odysseus choose to not demolish Irus? What does this show about his character?

Book 18

In book 18 of the Odyssey, Irus fights Odysseus disguised as a beggar because he thinks he will win the fight easily. But Irus soon finds out that it will not be an easy fight. Have you ever been put into a situation like Irus? Where you jump into a situation thinking it will be easy, but then it turns out to be harder than you expected? If so, what happened? In this book do you think Telemachus continues to mature? Also, why would Odysseus warn Amphinomus about what he is going to do, when Amphinomus has been courting his wife?

Book 17

Book 17 is all about Odysseus returning to his home (as a beggar) and testing the suitors. Homer adds the part where Telemachus is telling Piraeus to keep Telemachus' gifts hidden. This is an example of being an extrovert and thinking of others. Why would Homer do this? What does Theoclymenus' prophecy and Penelope's response show about Penelope's true feelings? Why? Why do you think Odysseus decides to act stoically towards the rude actions of Melanthius? What does the sad encounter of the old dog, Argos, truly show? What is the irony of Antinous' argument?