Book XXII · Episode 4 of 5
Pleas for Mercy
Leiodes dies, Phemius and Medon spared
Scenes
- Leiodes Denied — Leiodes begs, Odysseus beheads him
- Claims he tried to check their crimes
- Says no one heeded his warnings
- Accuses him of praying for his failure
- Snatches the sword Agelaus had dropped
- Leiodes’ head rolls into the dust
- The Bard’s Plea — Phemius begs mercy, Telemachus intercedes
- Weighs fleeing to Zeus’ altar instead
- Sets down his lyre to plead
- Warns killing a bard would grieve Odysseus
- Says he taught himself the craft
- Insists stronger men forced him to sing
- Medon Spared — Telemachus pleads for Medon, both spared
- Medon tended Telemachus as a boy
- Hides beneath a throne in an oxhide
- Casts off the hide, clasps Telemachus’ knees
- Odysseus smiles, calls him safe
- Sends both to sit by the altar