Book XVIII · Episode 1 of 4
Combat with Irus
Odysseus humiliates Irus before suitors
Scenes
- Irus Confronts Odysseus — Irus orders Odysseus off porch, threatens
- Irus is Ithaca’s greedy, blustering beggar
- Onlookers want him dragged by the foot
- Odysseus says the threshold fits two beggars
- Odysseus warns he could bloody Irus’ mouth
- Irus dares Odysseus to strip and fight
- Suitors Stage a Brawl — Antinoüs offers winner a goat’s paunch
- Antinoüs roars with laughter at the quarrel
- He deems it unlooked-for sport for suitors
- Winner may also join the suitors’ feasts
- The victor bars other beggars for good
- Odysseus hides his thoughts, craftily agrees
- Oath and Undressing — Odysseus exacts an oath, bares his limbs
- Odysseus fears being ganged up on
- Suitors swear not to foul the fight
- Telemachus pledges himself as host
- Antinoüs and Eurymachus back the pledge
- Athena secretly swells his limbs
- Odysseus Fells Irus — Antinoüs threatens Irus, Odysseus fells him
- Suitors mutter that Irus is doomed
- Irus trembles as attendants drag him forth
- King Echetus mutilates victims mercilessly
- Irus lands a blow on Odysseus’ shoulder
- Irus collapses thrashing as suitors roar
- Irus Propped at the Gate — Odysseus props beaten Irus at door
- Irus should scare off dogs and swine
- He warns against lording over beggars again
- He resumes his seat on the threshold
- Suitors praise him, laughing with delight
- They vow to ship Irus to Echetus