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Saturday, February 05, 2011

The Odyssey, Book 24

Hermes leads the souls of the suitors in a chain-gang down to Hades.  There, the heroes of Ilion meet and converse.  Achilleus regrets the ultimately lowly death of Agamemnon.  Agamemnon, meanwhile, tells Achilleus the circumstances and grieving after his own death in battle.  Hermes arrives.  Agamemnon, to the suitor Amphimedon: "What are you guys doing here?"  Amphimedon quickly tells the history of their wooing Penelope, of her deceit with the weaving, and her stalling until the arrival of and slaughter by Odysseus.  Agamemnon: "Good for Penelope."

Odysseus and Telemachos arrive at Laertes house.  Odysseus approaches alone, playing again the disguise game to see if his father will recognize him.  He says he is Eperitos of Alybas, a one-time acquaintance of Odysseus, whom he met in passing five years earlier.  Laertes, distraught and not hopeful of his son's survival, wails.  Odysseus feels horribly, and reveals himself, showing his scar.  Weeping.  Telmachos comes in with Dolios, an old servant.  More weeping.

Rumor sweeps through the town, spreading news of the slaughter.  Eupeithes, father of Antinoos, speaks for all, urging that they chase down Odysseus for striking down so many good men.  Medon and the singer (the two Odysseus spared) try to talk them down, saying he was doing the business of the gods, who were there.  Eupeithes leads a march anyway.

Athene, to Zeus: "Crap.  Now what?"  Zeus: "Still your fault, sweetheart.  You figure it out."  Odysseus sees the marchers coming, and the ten that are there armor up.  Athene comes in the form of Mentor to urge valor.  She inspires strength in Laertes, who kills Eupeithes with one throw of the spear.  Odysseus leads a charge and kills many on the front line, while Athene prompts a retreat.  Odysseus tries to chase after, but Zeus strikes the ground in front of him with lightning.

Athene: "All right, sonny.  That's enough.  Just pack that in."

End.

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The final scene really is Monty Python-esque.  In case the reference above isn't clear:

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