The Odyssey-Book Two

Book Two

The next morning, Telemachus meets with the Ithican elders to discuss the suitors. Some elders are in disagreement with Telemachus’ view on the suitors. Some elders say that Penelope is the real villain, deceiver, in how she cleverly leads on the suitors to believe that she will marry one of them someday, but really she has no intention of the sort. Telemachus tries to reason with one of the suitors, Antinous and asks that the suitors all leave and “consume their own fine goods.” He says that if they refuse to leave, they shall all die within his halls, with the help of Zeus. At that moment, Zeus sent down a pair of eagles that flew above the suitors and attacked each other, then flew away. This was meant as some omen or insight into future happenings. One of the elders then spoke to say that the fate of the suitors would belong to Odysseus upon his return, how he would slaughter them all and that was the be their fate. “I am no neophyte who prophesies: I know with certainty. And I affirm that, for Odysseus, his time is come” –Lord Halitherses (pg. 29). Telemachus says that he will go in search of any word about his father, and if he learns that he is alive, he will wait another year; if he is not alive, Telemachus says he will return home to “heap a death mound high” and give his mother to another husband. Athena gathers a crew and ship for Telemachus. He has his maid stock up and package his wine and food. Later Telemachus and his crew haul the food and wine onto the ship and set sail. Telemachus leaves without telling his mother of his intentions at sea because he doesn’t want her to worry or be upset.