Book XVIII · Episode 4 of 4
Night Insults Turn Violent
Melantho, Eurymachus taunt, footstool flies
Scenes
- Melantho Taunts Odysseus — Melantho mocks, Odysseus invokes Telemachus
- Odysseus offers to tend the firelight himself
- He boasts he can outlast the night
- Melantho was raised as Penelope’s daughter
- She is now Eurymachus’ mistress
- Terrified maids scatter through the hall
- Eurymachus Mocks and Offers Work — Eurymachus mocks Odysseus, offers work
- Athena keeps stirring suitors to torment him
- His shining head could light the torches
- Work means hauling stones and planting trees
- Odysseus claims he’d outmatch him at mowing
- Gates too narrow for Eurymachus’ flight
- Footstool Strikes the Cupbearer — Eurymachus hurls footstool, fells cupbearer
- Eurymachus accuses him of being drunk
- Odysseus dodges, drops at Amphinomus’ knees
- The cupbearer’s beaker crashes to the floor
- A suitor wishes the beggar had died
- His presence has spoiled their feast
- Telemachus Ends the Uproar — Telemachus rebukes suitors, all retire
- He asks what god drives their unrest
- He vows he drives no one away
- Suitors bite their lips at his boldness
- Amphinomus seconds him, urging no more harm
- Herald Mulius pours libations for all