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What mistake does Telemachus make in Book 21

By Andrew Hansen

Telemachus makes a mistake in Book 21 that in this book gives the suitors more of a fighting chance. What is this mistake, and why do you think the Odyssey has things to work out this way? What self-referential decision does the poet make in determining whom Odysseus spares?

What mistake did Telemachus make during the battle?

I left it ajar. During the battle with the suitors, Telemachus makes a mistake and allows the suitors to get hold of weapons. The mistake shows his inexperience.

Who does Telemachus kill in Book 22?

But Odysseus tells them that no amount of wealth can wipe out their crimes. Eurymachus calls the suitors to battle, but Odysseus quickly kills him. Telemachus kills Amphinomus and then runs to get weapons for himself, Odysseus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius.

What does Telemachus do at the end of Book 21?

Penelope gets Odysseus’s bow out of the storeroom and announces that she will marry the suitor who can string it and then shoot an arrow through a line of twelve axes. Telemachus sets up the axes and then tries his own hand at the bow, but fails in his attempt to string it.

How does Telemachus react to his mother's contest in Book 21 *?

How does Telemachus react to his mother’s contest in Book 21? a. He’s going to try the bow, for it he can wield it, then she can marry whoever she wishes. You just studied 15 terms!

What challenges does Telemachus face in the Odyssey?

Finally, like other great heroes, Telemachus has significant obstacles to overcome: the absence of his father, and the presence of the suitors who have taken over his house. In the poem, he successfully surmounts these obstacles: his father returns, and together they kill the suitors.

How does Telemachus change throughout the story?

430-431) Telemachus gained courage and kicked out the suitors from his house. … Telemachus is changing so much that he is even willing to take risks in his life now. He is no longer the safe guy, he is now making pacts about his father and is risking his life and mostly his mothers life over his journey.

Why can't Telemachus string the bow on his fourth try?

Odysseus waves him off. Why can’t Telemachus string the bow on his fourth try? … He hopes Odysseus will return someday.

Could Telemachus have strung the bow?

Penelope sets out Odysseus’s bow and axes, and announces to the suitors that the archer that can shoot an arrow cleanly through the axes will have her hand in marriage. Telemachus tries it first, to set an example, but he can’t even string the bow.

Why does Telemachus take part in the contest with the suitors?

He wants to prove to himself that he is capable of accomplishing the sorts of deeds that will allow him to gain glory.

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How does eurymachus try to save himself?

How does Eurymachus try to save himself from the other suitors? … The defeat of the suitors and the test of the bed to see if its really odysseus.

How does Telemachus react when Odysseus identifies himself?

How does Telemachus react when Odysseus identifies himself? At first he does not believe it is him. … Odysseus will pretend to be a beggar as he enters the hall with the suitors. Telemachus will hide all the weapons except for 2 swords, 2 spears, and 2 oxhide bucklers for Odysseus and Telemachus.

What does Penelope tell the beggar?

He tells Penelope that, essentially, Odysseus had a long ordeal but is alive and freely traveling the seas, and predicts that Odysseus will be back within the month. Penelope offers the beggar a bed to sleep in, but he is used to the floor, he says, and declines. … Rising to the challenge, Odysseus explains it to her.

When Eurymachus negotiations fail What plan do the suitors make to escape from Odysseus palace alive *?

When Eurymachus’ negotiations fail, what plan do the suitors make to escape from Odysseus’ palace alive? They want to attack all together then raise the alarm.

Where is Telemachus supposed to put all the fighting gear that lies about Odysseus Hall?

Where is Telemachus supposed to put all the fighting gear that lies about Odysseus’ hall? In a corner of the lofty chamber. What test does Odysseus give his son in Book 16? He is not to tell a soul that Odysseus has returned to Ithaca alive and well.

What is Odysseus and Telemachus plan?

He formulates a plan to launch a surprise attack from within the palace: Odysseus will enter disguised as a beggar and Telemachus will hide the palace’s surplus arms where the suitors cannot easily reach them. The two of them will then seize the arms and slaughter the suitors.

What are Telemachus weaknesses?

Weaknesses : Telemachus lacked courage in the beginning of the epic. He often had a hard time standing up to the suitors that was taking over his home. Obstacles the character overcame: With the help of Athena, Telemachus was able to mature into a more courageous hero.

How does Telemachus change over the course of the Odyssey?

However, over the course of the first four books, Telemachus transforms from a boy to a man when he defends his home and mother from the suitors, travels to Nestor’s house, and goes on journey of searching for his father.

How has Telemachus changed since the beginning of Book 1?

How has Telemachus changed since the beginning of Book 1, and how does Penelope react? He has become more assertive, referring to himself as the man of the house. She looks at him in wonder.

What is the problem of Telemachus and Penelope?

Telemachus’s most significant problem, besides the continued absence of his father, is that the suitors who are attempting to woo his mother, Penelope, are exploiting his hospitality and eating him out of house and home.

What is Telemachus upset?

He confronts the suitors and denounces the abuse of his estate, and when Penelope and Eurycleia become anxious or upset, he does not shy away from taking control. … In Book 22 , he accidentally leaves a weapons storeroom unlocked, a careless mistake that allows the suitors to arm themselves.

How does Telemachus help Odysseus?

After he joins his father and is made an important part of the king’s plot to overcome the suitors, a good deal of Telemachus’ motivation is based on faith. … At the showdown with the suitors in the great hall, he is shrewd enough to get his mother out of the line of fire and mature enough to be a real help to Odysseus.

Who knows the beggar's true identity before he touches the bow?

Name the type of irony that is used when the suitors say, “see how he handles it, the old sly buzzard!” (1183). Verbal Irony. Who knows the beggar’s true identity before he touches the bow? Telemachus and Eurycleia.

What does anticlea do to herself?

Anticlea, Odysseus mother, commits suicide by drowning because she can’t bear to live without Odysseus. … Convincing themselves and everyone that Odysseus is dead, the noblemen are here to marry Penelope to take the throne and rule in Odysseus’ place.

Why is the bow compared to a harp or lyre?

Epic Similes (Lines 105-110): Odysseus’ stringing of the bow is compared to the stringing of a harp to emphasize dexterity and how well he manages a bow, so effortlessly.

Which guest can hit all 12 axes?

Quite crafty herself, Penelope organizes an archery contest the following day and promises to marry any man who can string Odysseus’s great bow and fire an arrow through a row of twelve axes—a feat that only Odysseus has ever been able to accomplish. At the contest, each suitor tries to string the bow and fails.

Why is Odysseus the beggar allowed to try the bow?

Penelope. She says anyone who is great in her house should have a chance to string the bow. Who intervenes to allow the beggar to try and string the bow? he asks Penelope to lock herself in her room because he and Odysseus are getting ready to attack the suitors.

Why does Telemachus think that Odysseus is a God?

Why does Telemachus think Odysseus is a god at first? He believes it is the ghost of his father. He believes Odysseus is a god because he changed from a beggar to a handsome man. … He believes Odysseus is a god because he has powers that the average man does not.

Why does Telemachus fear that Odysseus Cannot succeed against the suitors?

Gods can shape shift and he might be a god in disguise. Why does Telemachus fear that Odysseus can not succeed against the suitors. … “There will be killing until the score is paid” What does this say about Odysseus? Nothing is going to stop him.

Why does Telemachus go to Pylos and Sparta?

Why does Telemachus go to Pylos and Sparta? The goddess Athena, disguised as Mentes, advises Telemachus to visit Pylos and Sparta. Athena tells Telemachus that he might hear news of his father, Odysseus. … When he returns to Ithaca, he is ready to help Odysseus defeat the suitors.

How does Athena assist Odysseus and Telemachus in battle?

Two of the servants, Telemachus, and Athena (disguised as Mentor) fight with Odysseus to kill the suitors. How does Athena help Odysseus in his battle against the suitors? Athena helps Odysseus by motivating him. … He makes them clean up all of the blood from the dead suitors and then hangs them.