why does odysseus keep his identity secret from his wife
What kind of woman is Penelope? First, we need to realize that Odysseus hides himself from many others and not just Penelope. If he does not defeat the suitors, they will kill him and take his wife, home, land, and even his son. What are the challenges that Odysseus had to face on his journey home? Athena tells Odysseus to keep his identity a secret until he is ready to kill the suitors. He wanted to remain hidden until he slayed the suitors, at which point he would return in a great blaze of ⦠Try our expert-verified textbook solutions with step-by-step explanations. After he has shot the arrows. Why does Odysseus hide his identity? Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar because everyone but his son believed him to be dead. The suitors are not upholding the social mores of the Greeks and they are arrogant and, mock the gods to a certain degree. Other posters have addressed the Odyssey. Why does Odysseus make the decision to keep his identity hidden, even after he meets the challenge? Log in here. In The Odyssey, why does Telemachus return home in secret and why does Odysseus hide his identity from everyone but him? Odysseus hides his identity because he wants to assess the situation at the royal palace before springing into action against Penelope's suitors. âDid I not keep my nerve, use my wits, to find a way out for us.â (p.776-777) This shows how Odysseus is unappreciative of his men and that he thinks is the sole reason of success. Why do you think Odysseus continues to keep his identity hidden from his wife from JO34R34 ERFER at Yeungnam University Most of the women remain loyal, including his wife Penelope. With the information he collects it allows him to formulate a plan for revenge. He hid his, identity because he wanted to be sure that he was not in danger and to be sure no one was, looking for him. Chattanooga State Community College • ENGL 2410, General_Questions_on_the_Odyssey__Emily_Poole.pdf, Sam Houston State University • ENGLISH 2333, Stonewall Jackson High, Quicksburg • ENGLISH 251, Great Neck South High School • ENGLISH 0158-13, University of California, Santa Barbara • CLASS 40M. 10 years of war in Troy are over and the way is free to get home, however, Poseidon, one of the most severe enemies of Odysseus, does all possible to prevent his from returning home. Odyssey had been away from his wife Penelope and his son for a ⦠2. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. When Odysseus disguises himself as an old man in disguise why does he need to keep his secret from his wife in The Odyssey? to see if she is still loyal or not. Odysseus reveals his identity to Penelope, but she is skeptical. Learn more about The Odyssey with Course Hero's FREE study guides and It also adds an element of surprise, so they do not recognize him and kill him first. ... What does Odysseus mean in "The Challenge" when he says "The hour has come to cook their lordships' mutton--/super by daylight"? 0 0 1 First of all, he needs to know the lay of the land, so to speak; he needs to know the precise situation before springing into action. How is this an example of a digression? Why? Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. She keeps Telemachus's journey secret from Penelope, and she later keeps Odysseus's identity a secret after she recognizes a scar on his leg. When Eumaeus leaves, Athena returns and tells Odysseus to reveal his true identity to his son. In this manner, does Odysseus return to Penelope? ©2021 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, What are 3 examples of times when Odysseus demonstrated epic hero/god like qualities in. Trying to consider what Odysseus had to overcome to get home, it is essential to understand the reasons of his lengthy journey home. She tests him by having Eurycleia provide a place to sleep by moving a bed into the hallway. What is Odysseus argument to Suitors comment? What does Agamemnon tell Odysseus in Hades? Why does Odysseus keep his identity a secret from his wife? However, almost all characters, even the goddess Athena, lie in the book. How does Odysseus search for his identity in the Odyssey? Specifically, because the heroine believed her husband to be long dead. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. What is Penelopeâs challenge? Odysseus' hidden identity allows him to carefully sort the guilty from the faithful so that he can punish those that have taken advantage or betrayed him. He lied to many people including Polyphemus, Arete, Telemachus (his son), Penelope (his wife). Why did Odysseus keep his identity a secret from his wife? D. âThe Challengeâ (863-865) 1. When Odysseus and his men are reflecting upon their escape from the Cyclops, Odysseus shows his true-self. Why does Odysseus insist that everyone keep his identity secret.docx - Odyssey had been away from his wife Penelope and his son for a long time He hid, Odyssey had been away from his wife Penelope and his son for a long time. It was a good strategy to not reveal himself and to hide his identity, Most of the women in the kingdom treat Odysseus very well and show him kindness by, cleaning his feet even though they think Odysseus is a beggar. Athene had instructed Odysseus to disguise himself so the plan to take back his palace from the opportunistic suitors would go smoothly. They barge into the dinning hall and gorge themselves and, stuff their faces without acknowledging that the food was not theirs. Why does Odysseus make up a story about his identity rather than reveal himself to his wife? Latest answer posted November 13, 2012 at 4:28:54 AM, Latest answer posted March 18, 2013 at 7:56:52 PM, Latest answer posted September 13, 2015 at 3:51:57 AM, Latest answer posted September 24, 2008 at 11:08:42 AM, Latest answer posted January 21, 2021 at 11:02:00 AM. Iâll address the Iliad. why do you think Odysseus keeps his identity a secret from his wife? As they sail, Odysseus and his men are afraid of being eaten by Charybdis as she sucks in the water. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Odysseus is disguised as a beggar by the goddess Athena, who helps him plot his revenge against the suitors who are courting his wife. 1 Educator answer ⦠He also wanted to spy on his wife and kid to see if they mentioned him or, showed that they missed him. When he arrives at Ithaca, it would be easy for Odysseus to reveal his true identity straight away. Thank you. Find answers and explanations to over 1.2 million textbook exercises. His household servants have been disloyal and aided the suitors in their quest for Penelope's hand in a gross violation of their duty to their absent master. Because he wants to make sure that she still loves him When does Odysseus reveal to the suitors his identity?Why is this an effective strategy? Because he wants to make sure that she still loves him: When does Odysseus reveal to the suitors his identity?Why is this an effective strategy? Having been away from home for twenty years, Odyssey doesnât immediately reveal his identity to Penelope because he needs to ensure that he can trust her and that she remains loyal to him. Athena changed Odysseus's appearance back to that of an old beggar to help him proceed with his plan. They conduct themselves in. Past. Why or why not? 21. Agamemnon's warning also causes Odysseus to be weary in returning home as himself, as he does not know if his wife is true and on his side yet. Odysseus was brave, bold, a liar, full of love and hate and ready to face all challenges which make him very very human. Imagine what that would have been like back in those days. Of course, the question we all have is why on earth at this stage in his adventure does Odysseus need to deceive his wife? Two unique events occur in Book 11 of the Odyssey as Odysseus tells the Phaeacians about his visit to Hades: first, Odysseus includes a story known as the âcatalogue of womenâ that seems to have nothing to do with himself and his own adventures or with anybody else in the Odyssey; second, there is an interruption. However, he chooses not to do so because he wants to be sure of what he is dealing with before making a move. Odysseus has an innate affinity for disguise, and this, along with his years of exile, my explain why he toys with his father at a point where disguise is neither necessary nor helpfulâin fact, the reunion with Laertes has puzzled scholars because of Odysseusâs seeming unwillingness to disclose his identity immediately. He still plans to settle scores with Penelope's suitors, but he doesn't simply head to the royal palace and cut them down. Why does Odysseus want to test his servants and his wife before revealing his identity in book 17? two faced and were only nice to someone if it would benefit themselves. In the Book The Odyssey, when Odysseus returns to Ithica, he tels his son Telemachus not to tell anyone, not even Penelope, that Odysseus has returned. When he arrives, a maid awakens Penelope to meet her husband. Athena tells Odysseus to reveal his identity to Telemachus, as there is no point in keeping it hidden from him. Already a member? Why does Odysseus keep his identity a secret from his wife? know that he is Odysseus. There were times he was willing to let bygones be bygones. Although Odysseus has arrived back in his homeland in Ithaca, he doesn't reveal his true identity right away. infographics! Before he does so, she changes his appearance to that of a strong young king once more. Who does Odysseus encounter in the Land Of The Dead in Homer's. Penelope, in Greek mythology, a daughter of Icarius of Sparta and the nymph Periboea and wife of the hero Odysseus.When at length Odysseus does return, she makes him prove his identity and finally accepts him.. what happened to Penelope when Odysseus was gone? Why must Odysseus keep his identity a secret? What story does Odysseus tell the phaeacians? This is the most obvious obstacle that he must overcome before he can find his identity. 20 years Odysseus was absent. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. View Why does Odysseus insist that everyone keep his identity secret.docx from ENGL 2410 at Chattanooga State Community College. Part of this is undoubtedly to keep his return a secret. Athena also helps to disguise Odysseus as a beggar. There are two answer for this question. Why does Odysseus hide his identity from Eumaios in Homer's Odyssey? In The Odyssey, why does Odysseus tell Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. Odysseus was one of the more prudent heros fighting at Troy. 2. Odysseus wishes to keep his secret, and telling one person will make his plans less likely to succeed. It shows them that he is alive, and cares about his Kingdom. Before Odysseus can reclaim all that he lost during his absence he must kill the suitors who are threatening to take his throne. Odysseus hides his identity because he wants to assess the situation at the royal palace before springing into action against Penelope's suitors. The lies he tells are mainly used to hide his identity. What is Odysseus afraid of? The suitors are not loyal to Odysseus and they are manipulative and. Why does Odysseus keep his identity a secret from his wife? Odysseus doesnât have any of humility. Why does she give a challenge to the suitors? Odysseus is returned in secret to Ithaca in a magically fast Phaeacian ship. Please help, and only answer if you read the book. Why do you think Odysseus keeps his identity a secret from his wife? She wants to ensure that the unrecognizable stranger is Odysseus. Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Why does ODysseus want to keep his return to Ithica a secret? Do you agree with his decision? If a king believed to be dead for 10 years showed up today, there would be a huge commotion. Odysseus becomes angry because he built the bed out of a tree trunk and knew it could not be removed unless significantly changed. ... Why do you think Odysseus chooses not to reveal his identity to his wife? the scene in which penelope meets her husband Odysseus disguised as a beggar is an example of dramatic irony, for the reader knows something that penelope doesn't. Further, there is no real benefit to telling Eumaeus when he first meets him. The Verbs Of English. Penelope is a dutiful and faithful wife.