A Fight at the Party, Penelope Shows Herself to Suitors

BOOK 18

Book 18 starts out with a fight between Odysseus and Irus, his real name was Arnaeus, being encouraged on by the suitors. To the suitors the fight was extremely entertaining, they howled with laughter as Odysseus hit Irus with a blow that broke his jaw and caused blood to gush out of his mouth, and dragged him to gate-house, this was a hard, hard world to live in. Then Odysseus sat down and talked with Amphinomus, he had some things to say about pride and humility, and warns Amphinomus to leave to go home before Penople’s husband returns; however, Amphinomus, sits back down at his place at the table after giving Odysseus a drink of wine.

Next Athene makes Penelope more beautiful and gracious to the suitors that they may be more enamored with her, and she talks with Telemachus about the suitors, and all mischief they are causing. When she addresses the suitors chides them for eating all her food and drinking all her wine, and she challenges the suitors to bring gifts for her, as is the custom of their country. The suitors send out their servants to bring back gifts for her, which they did, and then Penelope retires to her room. After which the suitors do what they always did, have a party, Odysseus observes them and has an exchange with Eurymachas. Odysseus manages to get Eurymachas upset with what he had a say, Telemachus breaks up the party, and the suitors go home.