The Odyssey: Book 24

Book 24 (Rebecca/Olivia)
Quotes
1. “So she commanded. He obeyed her, glad at heart. / And Athena handed down her pacts of peace / between both sides for all the years to come- / the daughter of Zeus whose shield is storm and thunder, / yes, but the goddess still kept Mentor’s build and voice,” (24.598-602).

This quote is important because it brings peace between the Achaeans and the Trojans after years of war. The gods finally finish what they started. Also, this quote includes an important element of Homeric style, an epithet. It says “the daughter of Zeus whose shield is storm and thunder,” describing Athena. The quote really just finishes the whole tale of war that was followed through The Iliad and The Odyssey.

2. “Do as your heart desires— / but let me tell you how it should be done. / Now that royal Odysseus has taken his revenge, / let both sides seal their pacts that he shall reign for life” (24. 531-534).This quote is significant because Zeus is giving Athena advice that is not based on something to either amuse himself or to mess with the mortals (as it’s known to all that messing with mortals is something gods enjoy very much so).

In the quote, Zeus is giving into only justice and is urging an end to this long time conflict. He isn’t calling for more slaughter, and he isn’t favoring one side over the other on a whim, but he is hoping that Athena heeds to his advice. Because of this call for an end to violence, Athena begins to feel the same way as Zeus about the issue and does as he says, not because she was forced, but she does so freely and on her own accord.

“‘My friends, what a mortal blow this man has dealt to all our people! …Quick, after him! Before he flees to Pylos or holy Elis, where Epeans rule in power--up, attack!’ ” (24.471-478).

This quote solidifies the fact that its all too easy for a war to erupt so suddenly--especially with the help from gods (Athena in this case). This is important because is shows how the gods can bring about violence (since Athena killed the suitors along side Odysseus). Also, it connects to the first part of the story that was written in the Iliad. That conflict too was caused and intensified by the gods actions, making battles all too easy to produce.

Book 24 (Aimee/Katherine)
Important Quotes
“‘The fame of her great virtue will never die. / The immortal gods will lift a song for all mankind, / a glorious song in praise of self possessed Penelope’” (24. 216-218).

This quote is important to the epic because it shows how Penelope’s choice to remain faithful to Odysseus will be rewarded. With many suitors invading her home she could easily ran off with one of them. Instead she chooses to wait twenty years for the return of Odysseus. This was a respectable decision and the gods will recognize her for her wisdom and virtue.

“‘Father, son of Cronus, our high and mighty kind, / now let me ask you a question…/ tell me the secrets hidden in your mind. / Will you prolong the pain, the cruel fighting her / or hand down pacts of peace between both sides?’” (24. 563-566).

This quote is significant because it shows how the gods control the mortal’s fate. Throughout the whole epic Athena aids Odysseus and Telemachus. Athena is asking Zeus whether he thinks she should prolong the fighting between the suitors’ families and Odysseus or end it quickly. Zeus replies that since it was her plan, she is now in charge of the outcome. She chooses to stop the war and restore the peace.

“‘Now you’ll see, if you care to watch, father, / now I’m fired up. Disgrace, you say? / I won’t disgrace you line!’” (24. 563-566).

This quote shows how thanks to Telemachus’ hero quest he now understands the concept of glory. He is prepared to fight valiantly for his father if need be. His grandfather and father have both received glory during their lifetime and now it is his turn. The war is stopped before Telemachus can prove himself, but he is young and will have more opportunities to receive glory like his father and make his family proud.

Elements of the Monomyth
One element of the monomyth that is present in book twenty-four is step four, the master of two worlds, “‘Odysseus! You-you’re truly my son. Odysseus home at last? / Give me a sign, some proof-I must be sure’” (24. 365-366). After Odysseus greets his son, wife, and friends, he lastly goes to visit his father. Laeters has been depressed for many years because Odysseus has been away. After Odysseus greeted him, his father was lifted from his grief. Laeters at first does not truly believe it is Odysseus until he shows him the scar he received as a child. Odysseus is now officially welcomed home from his voyage and accepted back into Ithaca. The very last phase of the monomyth, the freedom to live, is present in book twenty-four when Athena stops another war from breaking out; “‘Hold back, you men of Ithaca, back from brutal war! / Break off-shed no more blood-make peace at once!’” (24. 584-585). The families of the suitors are very upset when they hear about the death of their sons. One wise man suggests that since Odysseus succeeded in killing so many men at once, he must have had help from the gods. He recommends that no one challenge Odysseus. The other families refuse to listen and attack Odysseus’ home anyways. Athena steps in and prevents the start of yet another war. Peace is finally restored to Ithaca and Odysseus now has the freedom to live with his family.