Killing The Suitors In Homer's Odyssey

Improved Essays
Killing is not always the best choice. However, sometimes it is the only thing that could measure up to what someone deserves. Even though there maybe other options, not one seems as good. In Homer’s Odyssey Odysseus should have killed the suitors because they had overrun the his palace, partied with Telemachus’s inheritance, and demanded that Penelope take one of them as a husband. Odysseus’s palace has been overrun by Penelope's suitors. When Odysseus returns to Ithaca, he has to disguise himself. There are enemies at his home that would recognize him. Therefore, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar, as instructed by Athena. However, Odysseus should have taken back his palace by killing the suitors instead. The suitors were

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In the epic, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus slaughters the Suitors for living in his house for three years during his absence. Some people may argue that the Suitors deserved this punishment because they ate his cattle, drank his wine, and stayed in his house. Others will argue that the suitors did not deserve this punishment because they did not all participate to the same degree. However, I believe this punishment was justified.…

    • 1140 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus goes on a long journey away from home. While being away there are wooers, who are trying to take his kingdom and place as king. Penelope, his wife, does not allow that to happen and his son, Telemachus, goes out to search for his father. Odysseus’s journey back home was a long one because of the obstacles thrown at him by gods and goddesses. When he finally arrived at home, he disguised himself as a beggar and fought the wooers.…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Odysseus needs to look like a beggar so he can go into his manor unnoticed from the suitors. If the suitors were to find him they would surely kill him because there are 40 suitors and only one of him. “God! What evil wind blew in this pest?” (XVII 585-586) Antinous says this to Odysseus while he begs in the palace.…

    • 579 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Odysseus Bravery Analysis

    • 1452 Words
    • 6 Pages

    This is first exemplified when he pretends to be a beggar to the suitors. Then he tricks everyone in the palace that he is not Odysseus but rather a poor man. Odysseus’s wits are one of his greatest expedients and make him a hero since he used them for benevolent…

    • 1452 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Odysseus returns home from trop to find 100 suitors occupying his home. They took his” house to plunder “ (957) and make his maids serve their beds. They show no respect for his home and he makes them pay in blood. He reconnects with his son and has a tearful reunion making up for the childhood he missed but that family member was the smallest obstacle when he returned home. The real problem was his wife you was cold to him even after he told her who he was.…

    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Prior to beginning his attack on the suitors, Odysseus recruits his swine herder to aid in the plan to retake his kingdom. He first tests his loyalty by posing a hypothetical question and then, after determining that he is trustworthy friend, he shows him his scar to verify his identity. Odysseus is the key player in this moment of recognition because he instigates Eumaios’s recognition in order to get help in defeating the suitors. This scene is therefore crucial in a practical sense because Odysseus needs him to close the doors and tell the women in the house to continue their work when they hear screaming coming from the house. In essence, Odysseus needs as many faithful friends as possible, which is the primary reason for revealing his identity to…

    • 1408 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Odysseus Is A Trickster

    • 974 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Odysseus fooled many for the sake of moving on, and returning to Ithaca. Odysseus tricked Polyphemus and blinded his eye, as well as tricking the suitors in believing Odysseus was an old beggar who had no chance marrying Penelope. In the end, Odysseus still returned home, and has now lived his life…

    • 974 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    This leads to the resurrection, where the hero is tested one last time. Odysseus, Telemachus, and Laertes, with the help of Athena, “struck them with sword and spear” (303). Odysseus defeats his last enemy and can now live wisely and peacefully with no threats or danger. He kills the suitor’s families because he needs to protect his home, family, and himself. He had to overcome his flaws in order to do this, which he did.…

    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    People go back and forth in the pursuit of revenge, to get back at one another is the goal. In the story “Odysseus” he takes his own revenge on the wooers who had taken over his home. Anyone who was even involved with the wooers plot was punished by Odysseus with the punishment of his choosing. Odysseus actions were completely justified, everyone deserved they're punishment, and his punishments weren't severe. He took his revenge to reclaim his power and honor.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When Odysseus arrives back in Ithaca he was disguised as a beggar to test his wife Penelope’s loyalty to him, and to make sure he does not get killed by the suitors that have taken over his estate. His appearance is that of a dirty beggar, and he appears homeless and rough. While this was also true when he appeared at the island of the Phaeacians, he had Athena’s spell and dream to make his arrival more convincing. On the other hand, Eumaeus decided to take in Odysseus without any hesitation despite his appearance. When odysseus first arrives in his house, Eumaeus follows the same custom as Nausicaa and says, “Come to the cabin.…

    • 1663 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Usually, we believe that deception is morally wrong. However, the use of disguise is used for the greater good in the Odyssey. After stringing the bow and firing an arrow through the axeheads, Odysseus was still disguised as a beggar. The suitors were not expecting this and with a bow already at his disposal, “he stripped off his rags and lept with his bow” and killed the suitors off with Telemachus and Athena. Odysseus’ most famous disguise was the use of the Trojan horse.…

    • 1011 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Odysseus is disguised as a beggar to buildup the viewers suspense, while ending the movie in relief when Penelope recognizes him. That way, the audience is left with a happy ending and makes the movie more…

    • 971 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Odysseus custom makes the identity of the beggar to use the Suitors’ hubris against them by making himself appear non-threatening to their pursuit of his wife. By underestimating the beggar, they have doomed themselves by allowing Odysseus to plan how he can take the Suitors by storm and take back his home. In another adventure, Odysseus uses a similar tactic to dupe Polyphemus the Cyclops into underestimating him by showing himself as a helpless shipwrecked sailor, allowing him the time to plan his escape (14.251). Odysseus benefits himself by tricking those he meets into thinking he is weak and using their false sense of security to his advantage. By fooling others, Odysseus is able to create the best situation to have a safe…

    • 1203 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For example, they both struggle against the suitors. At Ithaca, the suitors consume Odysseus’ wealth and try to seduce his wife. They suitors also plot against Telemachus. When Telemachus travels to Sparta and Pylos, the suitors set up an ambush on his way back to Ithaca. In the end, the two reunite and slaughter the suitors together.…

    • 1626 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After news of the massacre had spread, Antionous’s father, Eupithes, persuades the families of the suitors to murder Odysseus in order to avenge their children. However, Athena intervenes by killing Eupithes and removing the memory of the massacre from the families. Athena goes this far to protect Odysseus because the reason for Eupithes malice was unjust. When comparing the rationale for vengeance, Odysseus killed the suitors because they disrespected him and his property while Eupithes only wanted to kill Odysseus for killing his son. Although both were acts of vengeance, one was perceived to be more justified than the other.…

    • 1282 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays