The Odyssey ~ Book 15

Part 3 ~ Make Connections

The theme of wanting greatly to return home is present a lot in Book 15.

"Telemachus rushed to pull a shimmering tunic on, over his broad shoulders threw his flaring cape and the young prince, son of King Odysseus, strode out to meet his host: "Menelaus, royal son of Atreus, captain of armies, let me go back to my own country now. The heart inside me longs for home at last," (15. 67-72).

This is when Telemachus is advised by Athena to return home as quickly as possible. Since she has done such good things for him in the past, Telemachus wants to follow her orders. He and Pisistratus want to leave Menelaus's palace immediately, even though it may not be socially acceptable.

"Climb aboard now-fast! Muster all your men before I get home and break the news to father. With that man's overbearing spirit-I know it, know it all too well-he'll never let you go, he'll come down here and summon you himself. He won't return without you, believe me-in any case he'll fly into a rage," (15. 232-239).  

This is an example of the theme when Telemachus states that he has no time to visit Nestor. Pisistratus understands this, because he knows that Telemachus still has a journey ahead of him to return home to Ithaca.


After I read this book, I immediately thought of The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy is similar to Telemachus because even after she experienced so many new and exciting things in Oz, she truly did miss her family and she knew that she really belonged back in Kansas. Dorothy says a tearful goodbye to her friends and then follows Glinda's instructions, closing her eyes, tapping her heels together three times, and exclaiming "There's no place like home."




Will I Ever Make it Home ~ Ingram Hill

I woke up from my sleep to the sound of that voice
From the words that I heard I had no choice
They told me that I had to turn around
My assurance slowly faded down
And I wonder

Will I ever make it home
Will I ever leave the ground
Leave this place so far behind

But there is no turning back
Will I ever make it home
Get to where I wanna be
Find the one to wait for me
To the place where I belong
Will I ever make it home

The plans that I had were quickly destroyed
The problem was one I couldn't avoid
They welcomed me to stay overnight
I'm too tired to complain so I just might

And I wonder
Will I ever make it home
To the place I recognize
Far from here and where I've been
And all the things that I've been shown
Will I ever make it home
Can they keep me here for good
Where I hardly know a soul
And my fear keeps going on
Will I ever make it home
My weariness keeps growing inside
My patience is starting to subside
And I hope I'll be there soon
It can't be long or I'll fall through

Ohhh...

I get up and start to think I'll never get back
I'm ready and waiting to hear them
Everythings alright and I can go
I'll thank that girl that I don't know

Do they miss the way I look?
Do they miss the way I touch?
Do they know just how I feel?
Oh I wish they really could
And I'll hope they ain't home
And I'll make it through the night
Can you hear me when I'm gone?
Will I ever make it home

Will I ever make it home
Will I every leave the ground
Leave this place so far behind
'til there is no turning back

Will I ever make it home
Will they keep me here for good
Where I hardly know a soul
And my fear keeps going on

Will I ever make it home..

I also connected Book 15 to this song. It really represents pushing aside all fears to be able to get back to the way things were. The singer is expressing the universal theme of home and how the world is a big and scary place.  He misses his loved ones and he wants to get back to a place he recognizes.

GUIDING QUESTION

1. Overall, do you think Telemachus benefited from his journey? Did he change and become a better man? Explain.

The Odyssey~Book 15

PART 2 ~ Illuminate the Text

Literary Devices

Imagery

"Reaching the spot where all the heirlooms lay, Menelaus chose a generous two-handled cup; he told his son Megapenthes to take a mixing-bowl, solid silver, while Helen lingered beside the chests, and there they were, brocaded, beautiful robes her own hands had woven. Queenly Helen, radiance of women, lifted one from the lot, the largest, loveliest robe, and richly worked and like a star it glistened, deep beneath the others," (15. 112-119).

In this passage, Homer paints a perfect picture of what is going on in the palace. Menelaus and Helen are preparing beautiful gifts and readers can even sense the magnificence of everything. Homer creates such detail whether it be about the silver mixing bowl, Helen's beauty, or the glistening robe.

Tone

"She found him there with Nestor's gallant son, bedded down in the porch of illustrious Menelaus-Pisistratus, at least, overcome with deep sound sleep, but not Telemachus. Welcome sleep could not hold him. All through the godsent night he lay awake...tossing with anxious thoughts about his father," (15. 4-9).

This demonstrates emotion very clearly. I can almost feel Telemachus's pain as he is constantly remembering Odysseus. We can see his true personality and the character developing as his feelings get the best of him.

Epic Machinery

Long, Formal Speeches By Important Characters

When Telemachus meets Theoclymenus, he listens to Theoclymenus's long story about how he has to leave his land because he killed someone of his own tribe. He says he is fleeing death and that he has been wandering across the world for a long time. Another example is when Eumaeus tells his entire life story and how he is still affected by the struggles and hardships he has faced. I feel that Homer adds all this information to make the story a lot more interesting and then readers can see who the characters truly are. 

Histories and Descriptions of Significant Artifacts

"Of all the treasures lying heaped in my palace you shall have the finest, most esteemed. Look, I'll give you this mixing-bowl, forged to perfection-it's a solid silver finished off with a lip of gold. Hephaestus made it himself. And a royal friend, Phaedimus, king of Sidon, lavished it on me when his palace welcomed me on passage home. How pleased I'd be if you took it as a gift!" (15. 123-131).

Translator's Notes

"...in love with this hospitality; I fear he'll hold me, chafing in his palace-I must hurry home!" (15. 223-225).

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest!" (17. 74-81).

The translator's notes state that Telemachus and Odysseus have had to deal with hosts that have trouble letting them go. Especially in Book 15, "on his way back from Sparta to Pylos, he manages to evade what he fears will be an intolerable delay if he goes to Nestor's palace." This is showing that even though he appreciated Nestor and Pisistratus, he did not want to visit when they got to Pylos because he was wanting to both get revenge on the suitors and get back home to Penelope.

GUIDING QUESTION

1. Do you believe it was rude of Telemachus that he was not really a polite guest when it came to staying at Menelaus's palace? What about with refusing to stop to visit Nestor?

2. What would you have done if you were in his situation?

The Odyssey~Book 15

PART 1~Scenes and Characters

Book 15 starts off with Athena appearing in Telemachus's dream when he is asleep in King Menelaus's palace. She tells him to return home to Ithaca quickly because the suitor's are still trying to win Penelope's hand. In addition, she notifies him that the suitors are planning to kill him. Lastly, she states that he should first travel to see Eumaeus, the swineherd. This all shows another evident example of how loyal Athena is and how she helps Telemachus on his journey. When Telemachus announces that he wants to depart from Menelaus's and the king insists they stay longer, Telemachus lashes out:

"Menelaus, royal Atrides, captain of armies, I must go back to my own home at once. When I started out I left no one behind to guard my possessions. God forbid, searching for my great father, I lose my life or lose some priceless treasure from my house!" (15. 95-101).

This is illustrating that Telemachus is treating Melelaus differently. He is taking a stand and leaving not to be rude to his host, but to follow Athena's advice. 
When he departs from Menelaus and Helen's home, an eagle carrying a stolen goose swoops down near them. Helen reads the omen: 

"Just as the eagle swooped down from the crags where it was born and bred, just as it snatched that goose fattened up for the kill inside the house, just so, after many trials and roving long and hard, Odysseus will descend on his house and take revenge-unless he's home already, sowing seeds of ruin for that whole crowd of suitors!" (15. 194-200).

I feel the eagle does symbolize Odysseus because they are both powerful and somewhat aggressive in fighting. This first omen shows more foreshadowing and it keeps readers interested in the plot. The theme strength is present because of the incident. The eagle is obviously a lot stronger than the goose, just like Odysseus is more dominant and greater than the suitors.
When Telemachus is about to leave Pylos after Pisistratus drops him off at his boat, Telemachus meets Theoclymenus, a prophet's descendant who is fleeing because he killed a man. When the stranger asks to come aboard, Telemachus immediately agrees:

"How could I drive you from my ship? Come sail with us, we'll tend you at home, with all we can provide," (15. 313-314).

I found it interesting that Telemachus makes a decision so quickly and lets Theoclymenus come, even though he says he is a fugitive who murdered someone. It shows that Telemachus is somewhat maturing as a man. He is not judging the stranger and he welcomes him and offers genuine hospitality.
Odysseus and the Eumaeus tell stories when they are at the swinherd's home. We learn that Eumaeus came to Ithaca because Phoenician pirates captured him and Odysseus's father, Laertes, bought him. When Telemachus returns home to Ithaca, he sends Theoclymenus to Pireaus, a crewman. As they are about to go their seperate ways, a hawk soars by holding a dove. Theoclymenus interprets the second omen:

"Look, Telemachus, the will of god just winged that bird on your right! Why, the moment I saw it, here before my eyes, I knew it was a sign. No line more kingly than yours in all of Ithaca-yours will reign forever!" (15. 594-598).

Just like the first omen, it is understood that good things are to come for Odysseus.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think the two omens were so similar? Was it just for emphasis? Explain.

2. Do you think the number of omens will increase later in the book? Why?