NovelGuide: Odysseus: Novel Summary: Chapters 17-18

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Chapters 17-18

Chapter 17: Odysseus and Telemachus return to their houses separately in order to keep Odysseus identity concealed.� Telemachus summons Theoklymenos, and Telemachus tells his mother of his travels in Pylos and Sparta, in flashback form.� Eumaios is with Odysseus on the road to Odysseus' house, where they meet a disloyal servant who treats them both poorly.� Then, Odysseus' old dog, Argos, recognizes his master, but dies the moment after.�� Odysseus reaches his home, still in disguise, and acts like a beggar.� Most of the suitors treat him fairly well, but Antinoos, the lead suitor, mocks Odysseus and hits him.� The other suitors are angry at his behavior.�
Meanwhile, Eumaios informs Penelope about the strange beggar.� Penelope summons Odysseus so she can talk to him.�
Chapter 18: While the message is being relayed, a true beggar named Iros comes by the house and challenges Odysseus to a fight.� Odysseus wins, and Iros is unconscious.�� Penelope decides to leave her room and go to the area of the suitors.� She starts to play her waiting games again, talking of marriage but also of gift-giving.� Odysseus is treated poorly by some of the suitors, and some of Penelope's servant women are sleeping with some of them.� Eurymachos becomes very violent and throws a stool at Odysseus, but he and the rest of the suitors finally go home for the evening.