Book 24 begins with the Hermes taking the suitors ghosts to the underworld, where they meet with Agamemnon and Achilles. Agamemnon asks them about Odysseus and how they ended up being dead. This is an important scene because it shows how the suitors’ perspective of the event and why did what they (abuse their guest hood privileges). This scene is also important because we see how Agamemnon really feels about Odysseus having Penelope for a wife because he says, “Happy Odysseus! ... Son of old Laertes – mastermind – what a fine, faithful wife you won!” (Homer 24, 210-212) The next great scene in book 24 is the reunion of Laertes and Odysseus. The scene is important because Odysseus stays consistent with the idea of testing everyone. He tests his father and when his breaks down, Odysseus tells him the truth and then Laertes test him in return with proof. We find out a little more information about Laertes and his battle glory and his title of sacker of cities. As well as, how Odysseus got the things he has from his father. Anther important scene is of Eupithes, the father of Antinous (the first to die of the suitors), starting to rile up the Cephallenians (citizens of Ithaca and island of Cephallena) to fight Odysseus and take revenge for the killings of the suitors. In the end, Athena stops the battle between the Cephallenians and Odysseus, to make them compromise and promise not to kill each other. This is an important scene because it explains the resolution of the poem and explains the title of the book, Peace.
GQ: When Penelope talks about her dream with the eagle coming to kill her geese, do you think that because the geese were her favorites and that she was happy with them that (geese = suitors) she enjoys being the center of attention? (Reference to book 19, 603 - 610) What does this tell us about us? Do we enjoy being the center of attention? Why or Why not?
That is an intersting question because her dreams clearly showed that her pet geeses, aka suitors, were about to be slaugthered by the eagle, aka Odysseus. She is terrified of this dream but as the audience we know that she will be glad to have Odysseus back. However, I don't think she necessarily wanted attention. I believe that she had been surrounded by the geese for so long and Penelope was just surprised to be freed from the flock. Its possible message is that as human beings we seek attention but we do not wish to hold it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Stephen said about the dreams and the geese. I think that although Penelope may enjoy being the center of attention, deep down she just wants to be with Odysseus. Like Stephen said though, she is used to being surrounded by the geese that she isn't used to anything besides what she knows. I think that most humans enjoy being the center of attention. There are always exceptions to this like people who may be overly shy, but the majority of humans like the attention because they feel like they are cared about and they feel wanted when they have attention. Attention also means that you are being listened to and people like knowing that they are being listened to.
ReplyDeleteI think that she didn't want to be the center of attention, she just wanted some affection after being away from loved ones for so long, but on the other hand she didn't want to trust the suitors. By having the presence of another person at her side, she has a sense of safety. I would be rather depressed and feel unsafe if I had lived alone as a "widow" in an empty house for all my life. Even though she disliked the suitors, the feeling that their presence gave her delighted her.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Rebecca, I think that people only seek attention if there is a sense of security that goes along with it. Those who are shy probably don't want to e the center of attention because they possess some qualities that others may make fun of or make them feel uncomfortable. The insecurity keeps them out of the limelight.
I agree with Rebecca and Stephan about the geese and the suitors. Her being the center of attention became natural to her because it was her life from day to day. I do not think that she enjoyed being the center of attention; I think she would have rather been with Odysseus then have been surrounded by men. Today I do think people strive to be the center of attention. Most people today do certain things because they know it will make them the center of attention. This could be bad or good, which says a lot about our society. As long as a person is the center it is okay, even if it is in a negative way. To me, doing something stupid just to become the center of attention is not how a person should want to portray themselves, but I guess that is how society acts today.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what Stephen said about the dream, I think that the geese represented the suitors that that they were about to be killed. I think this scared her because she has grown so used to having them in her house, the thought of people you see everyday, even people you may not actually like, being slaughtered in your own house would be very frightening.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Haley said about Penelope being the center of attention because it was part of her life. The suitors all wanted to be her husband, so it is only natural that they would spend their time giving her attention so she would pick them. I do not think she wanted or liked the attention she was getting from the suitors because she was only concerned with her husband coming home.
I think that Homer chose a very good animal to represent the suitors in which he chose the goose. Geese are pesky and annoying to have around and they sometimes don't even move when you try to scare them off, which is exactly like the suitors. As far as Penelope being the center of attention, I agree more with Michael that Penelope simply wanted some affection after Odysseus was gone for so long. I think that now that Odysseus has gotten back to loving her and being near her, she wouldn't want as much attention.
ReplyDeleteIt depends who you are, a lot of people like to be the center of attention. Others do not, I like to fly under that radar and mostly observe others being the center of attention does not satisfy me or give me any pleasure. Penelope may have liked to be the center of attention after not having her husband around for two decades. This says a lot about human nature though, it says that we like to be recognized at we need validation from others to be sure of ourselves.
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