Book 20: Signs and a Vision

(Yawn) I am so exhausted!! I was up very late last night watching angrily as those horrible suitors take several palace women up to their beds. I contemplated striking each one down but immediately (and somewhat reluctantly) surpress my anger. However, even after the suitors were long in bed, I couldn’t shake this feeling that Telemekhos and I wouldn’t be able to defeat all of those suitors (I know, I know, being a war hero, one must always have faith in their plan, and execute in flawlessly, but you never know what could happen, and it will be hundreds against 2…not including Athena). Then, Athena herself appears to me and assures me that anything is possible when the Gods are on your side and out victory over the suitors is fate. Upon her reassurance, a welcome sleep drifts over my eyes. Meanwhile, despite all the forewarnings of my return, Penelope still believes I am hanging out with Hades in the underworld and she wishes to join me there so we can be “happily ever after”, but let me tell you something…in Greek fairytales, the “happily ever after” DOESN’T exist. Poor Penelope’s cries for helps wakes me at dawn and I pray to the almighty Zeus for a reassuring sign…Zeus grants this with a comforting clap of thunder.
The next day a suitor named Philoitios takes me by the hand and welcomesme to Ithaka (Oh, please). He praises the me and talks about his wish for Odysseus’ return. The beggar then swears by Zeus that Odysseus will return soon to banish the suitors and regain his kingdom. Meanwhile in a nearby field, the suitors are planning the murder of Telemakhos but quickly put a stop to the plan after witnessing a sign: an eagle with a rockdove in his claws flying above them.
Later that day the suitors begin to feast. Telemakhos invites me to dine with them and I (again!!!) receive repeated physical and verbal abuse from the suitors, this time, however, I remain calm, cool and collected. Theoklymenos then gives the suitors a warning that their blood will fill the halls and death will overcome them if they continue such secretive plans.
The suitors continue to provoke my son Telemakhos with jokes about his friends. My lovely (and somewhat sad seeming) wife Penelope observes the suitors’ wild behavior while Athena and I prepare for vengeance….
Haha I can’t wait!

-Odysseus