Menu Close

Why does Telemachus kill the maids?

Why does Telemachus kill the maids?

Odysseus and his son Telemachus hanged the maids at the end of “The Odyssey” because Odysseus believed they were disloyal to him in his absence. The maids are virtually unheard of until they are punished for this perceived guilt.

Why do Odysseus and Telemachus kill several of the maids?

The Killing of the Suitors–The Maids Who Have Misconducted Themselves are Made to Cleanse the Cloisters and are then Hanged – The Odyssey.

How many maids did Telemachus kill?

When she woke up, Penelope panicked, asking Eurycleia which Maids Odysseus had killed, and Eurycleia told him he killed the twelve Maids who had been especially rude, including Melantho of the Pretty Cheeks.

Who did Telemachus kill?

Amphimedon, son of Melaneus. Killed by Telemachus. Amphinomus. Shows courtesy towards the disguised Odysseus, who warns him against staying; the warning goes unheeded, though, and he is killed along with the other suitors, though by Telemachus and not Odysseus.

Why did Telemachus hang the disloyal servants?

Odysseus has Eurycleia come out. She openly rejoices to see the suitors dead, but Odysseus checks her impropriety. Odysseus tells Telemachus to cut them down with a sword, but Telemachus decides to hang them—a more disgraceful death.

Was Odysseus justified in killing the maids?

In addition to having the justification in order to kill the suitors he also was justified to kill the maids. All they did was aide the suitors. They made no effort to get the suitors out of the house. This is why Odysseus was justified to kill them.

Why did Telemachus get helmets and shields?

Because if he did, one of the suitors could have come up from behind him and killed him. He offers to get him spears, swords, and shields from the armory so that he can arm the swineherd (Eumaeus) and the cowherd. It was a four-ply shield, and a crested helmet, horse tailed.

What goddess protects Odysseus and Telemachus?

Athena takes the role of both protection and wisdom as she not only leads but fights alongside both Odysseus and Telemachus. She instills confidence and strength into Telemachus and helps him in his journey into manhood.

How is Telemachus a hero?

Epic Hero. Telemachus is the hero because he sacrifices his safety to achieve his goal given to him by Athena. He helps eliminate the suitors and helps his father return home.

Why does Penelope first refuse to believe that her husband is finally home?

Penelope will not believe that Odysseus is home at last. Because the palace is so big, she was completely unaware of what had recently been happening with the suitors. This will buy Odysseus some time to keep the families from noticing that he has killed the suitors.

Why did Odysseus tell Telemachus to execute the maids?

Because Odysseus told him to, is the simple answer. He told them to because they had been sleeping with the Suitors, and acting completely inappropriately (even as traitors), as told to him by the housekeeper Eurykleia: “Of these there are twelve all told who behaved shamelessly and snapped their fingers at me and Penelope herself.”

What did Telemachus say to his father about the suitors?

He saw the greatness of the danger, and said to Telemachus, “Some one of the women inside is helping the suitors against us, or it may be Melanthius.” Telemachus answered, “The fault, father, is mine, and mine only; I left the store room door open, and they have kept a sharper look out than I have.

What happens to the maids in the killing of the suitors?

The Killing of the Suitors–The Maids Who Have Misconducted Themselves are Made to Cleanse the Cloisters and are then Hanged. Then Ulysses tore off his rags, and sprang on to the broad pavement with his bow and his quiver full of arrows.

How many maids are executed in Homer’s Odyssey?

12 was a significant number for Homer. 12 maids executed in the Odyssey. 12 axes shot through with an arrow by a disguised Odysseus in Penelope’s contest. 12 youths sacrificed at the funeral of Patroclus by Achilles in The Iliad.