Odysseus takes pity on Amphinomus, so he tries to prevent his death by hinting that he should flee the palace as soon as possible – to break his allegiance to the group of suitors that he must defeat. But, while Amphinomus feels anxious, he does not leave—is that his free will to stay, or because he is fated to die?

A summary of Books 17 & 18 in Homer's The Odyssey. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of The Odyssey and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.

Homer. The Odyssey with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, PH.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1919. The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text. Purchase a copy of this text (not necessarily the same edition) from Amazon.com

Odysseus rebukes Penelope's maidservant Melantho for her neglect of the queen. The impudent girl has been indulging in an illicit affair with Eurymachus, Penelope's smooth-talking suitor. Odysseus and Eurymachus have a confrontation.

the odyssey book 18, translated by a. t. murray [1] Now there came up a public beggar who was wont to beg through the town of Ithaca, and was known for his greedy belly, eating and drinking without end.

THE FIGHT WITH IRUS—ULYSSES WARNS AMPHINOMUS—PENELOPE GETS PRESENTS FROM THE SUITORS—THE BRAZIERS—ULYSSES REBUKES EURYMACHUS. Now there came a certain common tramp who used to go begging all over the city of Ithaca, and was notorious as an incorrigible glutton and drunkard.

Homer. The Odyssey. Rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Samuel Butler. Based on public domain edition, revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. A. C. Fifield, London. 1900 (?).

When Penelope leaves, her servants carrying the shining gifts she has just received, Odysseus decides to test the loyalty of her maids. At night, the maids are assigned to keep the torches burning in the hallway so that the suitors—getting drunk in the hall—can see what they're smacking into before they smack into it. (Really? Who ordered that?)

The beggar Irus insults Ulysses; the suitors promote the quarrel, in which Irus is worsted, and miserably handled. Penelope descends, and receives the presents of the suitors. The dialogue of Ulysses with Eurymachus. He flew, attendant on the genial hour. Irus, a name expressive of the employ. See how with nods assent yon princely train!

Book 18. An insolent beggar, Irus, challenges Odysseus; goaded by the suitors, Odysseus fells the frightened braggart and wins a meal. Penelope, rendered more beautiful by Athena, enters the hall and scolds Telemachus for permitting a beggar to be maltreated.