Book 15

Today’s conversation was a bit distracted, not one of your best. Nonetheless, you did seem to get what you needed from Book 15. The main point of the book, of course, is that Telemachus has grown up. Though at the beginning of the book Athena must still, “remind the hero’s princely son/of his journey home and spur him on his way” (15.2-3), by the end of the book, Telemachus “gave the men commands” (15.563). Given the sumptuous reception he receives in Sparta, his lethargy is understandable, though the use of the word “spur” suggests how violently Athena needed to prod the prince.

Athena also motivated her young charge by reminding him of his mother’s situation. She suggests that the motivations Penelope must feel as woman, “to build the wealth of her new groom,” etc., would predispose her to choose a new husband if Telemachus is not there to prevent her (15.23). Interestingly, you were more interested in disputing whether Penelope’s father and brothers wish to sell her like a slave than you were in challenging this view of women as naturally wanting to make the success of husbands and sons the focus of their lives. I suppose it is shocking to consider that Penelope, whom Athena calls Telemachus’ “irreproachable mother” is to be sold for a “bride-price” (15.18-21). However, equally sexist is the assumption that all women want so serve their husbands’ interest and bear them sons.

You also noted the portentous bird signs that foreshadow the death and destruction of the suitors at the hands of Odysseus and the strange party favors Telemachus receives from Menelaus and, especially, Helen. You did not, however, talk much about Theoclymenus, the fugitive prophet picked up by Telemachus.