The Return
chapter 16
Summary
In this chapter Ulysses is finally home. He is on a lonely part of the island, but he finds a friend of his when he was king. Ulysses pretends he is just an old beggar but when he sees his son, Telemachus he tells the truth of who he really is. Ulysses, Telemachus and Ulysses friend go to the castle and plan on defeating all of the suitors begging for Penelope to marry them. Telemachus tells his mom he met a beggar and she meets Ulysses not knowing it was him. Ulysses tells many entertaining stories, and then Telemachus tells his mom that they are having a competition of who can shoot Ulysses bow. When all of the suitors fail, Ulysses tries and succeeds. This starts a war against Ulysses because they realize he has returned and against one hundred suitors Ulysses and Telemachus win.
Questions to Discuss
1. Were you surprised that Penelope couldn't recognize Ulysses?
2. Why doesn't Ulysses want to tell who he really is?
3. Do you think that Ulysses is a good father?
4. Is there something that special about the bow that allows only Ulysses to shoot it or is he just really strong?
Text Detective
Personification pg 147: "it was death to be seen"
Descriptive detail pg 156: "tail began to thump joyously"
Simile pg 163: "she wept such tears of love as burned the salt out of the sea"
Important Quotes:
"Finally he was satisfied and began to hump away along the cliff road, no longer a splendid warrior, but a feeble beggar."(pg.148)
The significance of this quote is to show Ulysses' intelligence. Ulysses has returned home from Ithaca from a long and vigorous voyage, and i assume that he is very tired. But he has very quickly came up with a genius plan to take back his royal authority in Ithaca. His plan is to dress up as an old beggar, and take the suitors of his wife by surprise.
"Ulysses thought quickly. He could not risk revealing himself for what he was, yet he had to get rid of the fellow. So he shrank into his rags, as though fearful, allowing Iros to approach. Then, as the great hands were reaching for him and suitors were cheering and jeering, he swung his right arm. His fist landed on the smith's chin."(pg.159)
The significance of this quote also show's Ulysses' intelligence. He thought very quickly of what he should do to get rid of the man but still not blow his cover because they were not ready to fight one hundred suitors.
"if you say one more word to me that i find unfitting, I will cut you up into little pieces and feed you to the dogs. Do you understand? I understand, master, said Ulysses.(pg.160)
This quote shows Ulysses' self-control. Inside, I assume Ulysses must have been furious with him because the suitor put a knife to his throat and threatened him. But Ulysses kept his self-control and didn't blow his cover screwing up their plan.
Questions to Discuss
1. Were you surprised that Penelope couldn't recognize Ulysses?
2. Why doesn't Ulysses want to tell who he really is?
3. Do you think that Ulysses is a good father?
4. Is there something that special about the bow that allows only Ulysses to shoot it or is he just really strong?
Text Detective
Personification pg 147: "it was death to be seen"
Descriptive detail pg 156: "tail began to thump joyously"
Simile pg 163: "she wept such tears of love as burned the salt out of the sea"
Important Quotes:
"Finally he was satisfied and began to hump away along the cliff road, no longer a splendid warrior, but a feeble beggar."(pg.148)
The significance of this quote is to show Ulysses' intelligence. Ulysses has returned home from Ithaca from a long and vigorous voyage, and i assume that he is very tired. But he has very quickly came up with a genius plan to take back his royal authority in Ithaca. His plan is to dress up as an old beggar, and take the suitors of his wife by surprise.
"Ulysses thought quickly. He could not risk revealing himself for what he was, yet he had to get rid of the fellow. So he shrank into his rags, as though fearful, allowing Iros to approach. Then, as the great hands were reaching for him and suitors were cheering and jeering, he swung his right arm. His fist landed on the smith's chin."(pg.159)
The significance of this quote also show's Ulysses' intelligence. He thought very quickly of what he should do to get rid of the man but still not blow his cover because they were not ready to fight one hundred suitors.
"if you say one more word to me that i find unfitting, I will cut you up into little pieces and feed you to the dogs. Do you understand? I understand, master, said Ulysses.(pg.160)
This quote shows Ulysses' self-control. Inside, I assume Ulysses must have been furious with him because the suitor put a knife to his throat and threatened him. But Ulysses kept his self-control and didn't blow his cover screwing up their plan.
Research:
here are many pieces of art regarding the return of Ulysses. Here are a few...
here are many pieces of art regarding the return of Ulysses. Here are a few...