99-101: Penelope and Odysseus are on the same page, at least, even if they don't realize it. I guess that's a good relationship. CONNECTED even when they are APART. WOW. They are both pretty sneaky, which is interesting, because I suppose that must make them like each other. Except I bet their dating situation was rough. I wonder how Telemachus ended up so clear-minded--Homer describes him as such, but he comes from such tricksy hobbitsy stock... It's rather curious.
Why doesn't Odysseus just tell Penelope while they speak? Maybe he didn't want it to let slip to the suitors, but Telemachus can keep the secret. She wouldn't have told anyone either, probably, and then she wouldn't have been so sad for so much longer... they could have had their 'secret sign' conversation a few books early.
386: "They're not my style."
Odysseus also keeps predicting his own return, as do the eagles, and all sorts of prophets and whatnot. It's rather distressing that he's been gone for so long, and so no one takes him seriously. Except beautiful Eurycleia (430-538)! She sees that little scar and is so super excited about Odysseus. That's brilliant. I suppose Telemachus believed him, too. Anyway, then Eurycleia says she'll tattle on all the wenches (561)... and I began to wonder if that was okay. Everyone says tattling is lame, but telling people when someone has done wrong, so then justice is SERVED like so many tennis balls, is probably a good thing. I suppose it just seemed weird when I first read it.
602-629: geese + eagling = Odysseus. also... the future here is pretty obvious. thanks for playing, suitors.
Then lines 644-661 talk about Penelope's axe contest, which I remember vividly from Wishbone.
I remember that Wishbone too. It was a goodie.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that Odysseus is taking his time to reveal his identity.... because he doesn't know what kind of welcome awaits him yet? Remember that his war buddy Agamemnon received a happy welcome, and then a knife. Odysseus is acting cautiously: a prudent choice of a tactical genius. He's got to do some reconnaissance before striking. Yes, that might mean keeping Penelope in the dark for a bit.