Subjects

Careers

Open the App

Subjects

Who Are the Suitors in the Odyssey? Meet Penelope's Suitors, Antinous, Eurymachus, and More!

Open

12

0

user profile picture

eleanor <3

02/05/2023

Classical Civilisation

Suitors in the Odyssey

Who Are the Suitors in the Odyssey? Meet Penelope's Suitors, Antinous, Eurymachus, and More!

The Odyssey is an epic Greek poem that features numerous characters, including the infamous suitors who vie for Penelope's hand in marriage during Odysseus' long absence. This summary explores the key suitors, their characteristics, and their roles in the story, providing insight into their behavior and ultimate fate.

02/05/2023

383

Suitors in the Odyssey
Suitor
Antinous
Eurymachus
Amphinomus
Characterisation
One of the ringleaders of the suitors, and the most outwardly

View

Additional Suitors and Their Significance

This page introduces several more suitors and provides additional context for their roles in the Odyssey.

Ctesippus is characterized as a particularly rude suitor who "never learned right from wrong." His actions demonstrate the suitors' disrespect for Odysseus and his household.

Example: Ctesippus throws a cow hoof at Odysseus disguisedasabeggardisguised as a beggar, mockingly calling it a "gift."

Leodes, the priest of the suitors, presents a more complex moral character. Despite his religious role, he is not spared Odysseus' wrath.

Highlight: Odysseus denies Leodes' plea for mercy, accusing him of praying for Odysseus' demise at sea.

Other suitors mentioned include Polybus EurymachusfatherEurymachus' father, Eurynomus brotherofoneofOdysseuslostcrewmatesbrother of one of Odysseus' lost crewmates, Eurydamus, and Peisander. While these characters play minor roles, they contribute to the overall portrayal of the suitors' presence in Odysseus' home.

The suitors' behavior is further elaborated, emphasizing their lack of proper etiquette in courting Penelope and their arrogant attitude towards Odysseus' household.

Vocabulary: "Swaggering" is used to describe the suitors' demeanor, painting them as villainous and deserving of their ultimate fate.

This detailed exploration of the suitors in The Odyssey provides valuable context for understanding the conflict at the heart of Homer's epic poem. It illustrates the challenges faced by Penelope and Telemachus in Odysseus' absence and sets the stage for the hero's dramatic return and revenge.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

21 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

 

Classical Civilisation

383

2 May 2023

2 pages

Who Are the Suitors in the Odyssey? Meet Penelope's Suitors, Antinous, Eurymachus, and More!

user profile picture

eleanor <3

@eleanorflovver

The Odyssey is an epic Greek poem that features numerous characters, including the infamous suitors who vie for Penelope's hand in marriage during Odysseus'long absence. This summary explores the key suitors, their characteristics, and their roles in the story,... Show more

Suitors in the Odyssey
Suitor
Antinous
Eurymachus
Amphinomus
Characterisation
One of the ringleaders of the suitors, and the most outwardly

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

Sign up with GoogleSign up with Google. Opens in new tab

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Additional Suitors and Their Significance

This page introduces several more suitors and provides additional context for their roles in the Odyssey.

Ctesippus is characterized as a particularly rude suitor who "never learned right from wrong." His actions demonstrate the suitors' disrespect for Odysseus and his household.

Example: Ctesippus throws a cow hoof at Odysseus disguisedasabeggardisguised as a beggar, mockingly calling it a "gift."

Leodes, the priest of the suitors, presents a more complex moral character. Despite his religious role, he is not spared Odysseus' wrath.

Highlight: Odysseus denies Leodes' plea for mercy, accusing him of praying for Odysseus' demise at sea.

Other suitors mentioned include Polybus EurymachusfatherEurymachus' father, Eurynomus brotherofoneofOdysseuslostcrewmatesbrother of one of Odysseus' lost crewmates, Eurydamus, and Peisander. While these characters play minor roles, they contribute to the overall portrayal of the suitors' presence in Odysseus' home.

The suitors' behavior is further elaborated, emphasizing their lack of proper etiquette in courting Penelope and their arrogant attitude towards Odysseus' household.

Vocabulary: "Swaggering" is used to describe the suitors' demeanor, painting them as villainous and deserving of their ultimate fate.

This detailed exploration of the suitors in The Odyssey provides valuable context for understanding the conflict at the heart of Homer's epic poem. It illustrates the challenges faced by Penelope and Telemachus in Odysseus' absence and sets the stage for the hero's dramatic return and revenge.

Suitors in the Odyssey
Suitor
Antinous
Eurymachus
Amphinomus
Characterisation
One of the ringleaders of the suitors, and the most outwardly

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

Sign up with GoogleSign up with Google. Opens in new tab

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Suitors in the Odyssey: Key Characters and Their Roles

The Odyssey introduces several important suitors who play crucial roles in the epic's plot. This page focuses on three main suitors: Antinous, Eurymachus, and Amphinomus.

Antinous is portrayed as one of the ringleaders of the suitors and the most openly antagonistic. He is particularly hostile towards Telemachus, planning his assassination and treating him with condescension. Antinous' behavior exemplifies the suitors' disrespect for Odysseus' household.

Highlight: Antinous attacks Odysseus when he is disguised as a beggar, throwing a stool at him.

Eurymachus is described as the other main suitor and the favorite candidate for Penelope's hand in marriage. He is characterized as more cunning than Antinous but equally malevolent.

Quote: Eurymachus spoke with "kindness on his lips, and murder in his heart."

Amphinomus stands out as the "one good suitor" among the group. He is respected by Odysseus and distances himself from the others' more egregious behavior. Amphinomus serves as a foil to the other suitors and raises complex questions about fate and divine intervention in the epic.

Highlight: Amphinomus becomes a literary device, representing who Odysseus could have been in another life and embodying themes of fate and free will.

The suitors' general behavior is described as disrespectful and parasitic. They take advantage of Penelope's hospitality, feasting excessively and depleting the household's resources.

Quote: Penelope describes the suitors as "eating me out of house and home."

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user