Original Text(~250 words)
ULYSSES CANNOT SLEEP—PENELOPE’S PRAYER TO DIANA—THE TWO SIGNS FROM HEAVEN—EUMAEUS AND PHILOETIUS ARRIVE—THE SUITORS DINE—CTESIPPUS THROWS AN OX’S FOOT AT ULYSSES—THEOCLYMENUS FORETELLS DISASTER AND LEAVES THE HOUSE. Ulysses slept in the cloister upon an undressed bullock’s hide, on the top of which he threw several skins of the sheep the suitors had eaten, and Eurynome156 threw a cloak over him after he had laid himself down. There, then, Ulysses lay wakefully brooding upon the way in which he should kill the suitors; and by and by, the women who had been in the habit of misconducting themselves with them, left the house giggling and laughing with one another. This made Ulysses very angry, and he doubted whether to get up and kill every single one of them then and there, or to let them sleep one more and last time with the suitors. His heart growled within him, and as a bitch with puppies growls and shows her teeth when she sees a stranger, so did his heart growl with anger at the evil deeds that were being done: but he beat his breast and said, “Heart, be still, you had worse than this to bear on the day when the terrible Cyclops ate your brave companions; yet you bore it in silence till your cunning got you safe out of the cave, though you made sure of being killed.” Thus he chided with his heart, and checked it into endurance, but he tossed about as one who turns a...
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Summary
Ulysses lies awake, wrestling with anger and doubt about his plan to confront the suitors. His mind races like someone tossing and turning before a big decision, but the goddess Minerva appears to reassure him that even against overwhelming odds, divine help will see him through. Meanwhile, Penelope prays desperately to be released from her suffering, dreaming of her husband but waking to harsh reality. Both husband and wife are at their breaking point, yet neither knows how close they are to reunion. The next morning brings two powerful omens: Zeus thunders from a clear sky, and a exhausted servant woman prays that this will be the suitors' last meal in the house. These signs give Ulysses the confidence he needs. Two loyal servants, Eumaeus the swineherd and Philoetius the cowherd, arrive and immediately recognize something familiar in the disguised beggar. Their emotional responses and declarations of loyalty reveal that Ulysses still has allies who would die for him. The suitors feast arrogantly, with Ctesippus hurling an ox's foot at Ulysses in mock generosity. But their cruelty backfires when Telemachus finally stands up to them with newfound authority. Most ominously, the prophet Theoclymenus sees visions of blood and death surrounding the suitors, warning them of impending doom before fleeing the house. The suitors laugh off his prophecy, but their forced laughter reveals their underlying fear. The stage is set for the final confrontation, with loyal allies identified and divine approval confirmed.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Divine intervention
When gods directly help mortals in their struggles, appearing to provide guidance or reassurance at crucial moments. In this chapter, Minerva visits Ulysses to calm his doubts before the final confrontation.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern when people find unexpected help or confidence at their darkest moments, often calling it 'a sign' or 'divine timing.'
Omens
Signs from the gods that reveal the future or divine approval of human actions. Zeus sends thunder from a clear sky, and a servant prays this will be the suitors' last meal - both confirming Ulysses' plan.
Modern Usage:
Today we look for 'signs' before big decisions - green lights turning at the right moment, finding money when broke, or gut feelings that something is meant to be.
Loyalty test
A way of determining who can be trusted when everything is on the line. Ulysses observes how his servants react to him in disguise to identify his true allies.
Modern Usage:
We still test people's loyalty by seeing how they treat us when we're down, or how they talk about us when they think we can't hear.
Hubris
Dangerous overconfidence that blinds people to coming consequences. The suitors mock warnings of doom and throw food at a beggar, showing they feel untouchable.
Modern Usage:
This is the boss who thinks they're irreplaceable, or the bully who never expects their victims to fight back.
Prophetic warning
When someone with special insight tries to warn others of disaster they refuse to believe. Theoclymenus sees visions of blood and death but the suitors laugh at him.
Modern Usage:
Like the friend who warns you about your toxic relationship, or the whistleblower everyone ignores until it's too late.
Righteous anger
Fury that comes from witnessing injustice, which must be controlled and channeled into effective action. Ulysses burns with rage but forces himself to wait for the right moment.
Modern Usage:
The controlled anger of someone who's been pushed too far but is smart enough to plan their response rather than explode immediately.
Characters in This Chapter
Ulysses
Protagonist planning his revenge
Lies awake wrestling with doubt and anger, but receives divine reassurance from Minerva. He's at his breaking point but learning to control his emotions and trust his plan.
Modern Equivalent:
The person planning to confront their abuser, scared but determined
Penelope
Suffering wife at her breaking point
Prays desperately to be released from her torment, dreams of her husband but wakes to harsh reality. She's closer to reunion than she knows but feels completely alone.
Modern Equivalent:
The spouse of a missing soldier, holding onto hope while everyone tells them to move on
Minerva
Divine mentor and guide
Appears to Ulysses when his doubt threatens to overwhelm him, reassuring him that divine help will ensure victory even against impossible odds.
Modern Equivalent:
The wise friend who shows up at 3am when you're having a breakdown
Eumaeus
Loyal servant and ally
The swineherd who immediately senses something familiar about the disguised beggar and declares his continued loyalty to his missing master.
Modern Equivalent:
The longtime employee who stays loyal even when the company is struggling
Ctesippus
Cruel antagonist
Throws an ox's foot at Ulysses in mock generosity, representing the suitors' arrogant cruelty toward those they see as beneath them.
Modern Equivalent:
The workplace bully who humiliates people they think can't fight back
Theoclymenus
Prophet and truth-teller
Sees visions of blood and death surrounding the suitors and tries to warn them, but they mock his prophecy and he flees the house.
Modern Equivalent:
The whistleblower who tries to warn everyone about the coming disaster
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify and trust the focused intensity that emerges when everything is on the line and your mind strips away non-essential concerns.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when high-pressure situations suddenly make your priorities crystal clear—trust those insights and act on them before second-guessing returns.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Heart, be still, you had worse than this to bear on the day when the terrible Cyclops ate your brave companions; yet you bore it in silence till your cunning got you safe out of the cave"
Context: He talks to his own heart while lying awake, trying to control his anger at the suitors
This shows Ulysses using his past trauma as a source of strength rather than weakness. He's learned that surviving requires patience and strategy, not just rage.
In Today's Words:
I've been through worse than this and made it out - I can handle this too if I stay smart
"Even though we were only two against many, I should have confidence that we should overcome them"
Context: The goddess reassures Ulysses that divine help will ensure victory despite the odds
This reveals that even heroes need reassurance when facing overwhelming challenges. Divine support doesn't eliminate fear - it provides courage to act despite it.
In Today's Words:
Don't worry about being outnumbered - when you're fighting for what's right, help will come from unexpected places
"I see blood dripping from your hands and faces, and the house is full of shades going down into Erebus"
Context: The prophet warns the suitors of their impending doom
This prophetic vision creates dramatic irony - readers know the suitors are doomed, but they laugh off the warning. Truth-tellers are often mocked until it's too late.
In Today's Words:
You're all about to get what's coming to you, but you're too arrogant to see it
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Pre-Battle Clarity
High-stakes pressure strips away confusion and reveals true allies, resources, and necessary actions with unusual sharpness.
Thematic Threads
Recognition
In This Chapter
Loyal servants immediately sense something familiar in disguised Ulysses while enemies reveal their cruelty
Development
Evolved from earlier disguise themes—now authenticity breaks through despite appearances
In Your Life:
Under pressure, you can often sense who's genuinely on your side versus who's just going through motions
Divine Support
In This Chapter
Zeus sends thunder and omens confirming Ulysses has divine backing for his mission
Development
Builds on earlier divine interventions—now reaching crescendo before final battle
In Your Life:
Sometimes the universe seems to align when you're finally ready to take necessary action
Class Contempt
In This Chapter
Suitors mock and abuse the disguised beggar, throwing food at him with cruel laughter
Development
Intensified from earlier class tensions—now reaching peak cruelty before comeuppance
In Your Life:
People who abuse those they see as beneath them often reveal their own insecurity and weakness
Loyalty Under Pressure
In This Chapter
Servants declare they would die for their true master despite years of absence
Development
Culmination of loyalty themes—true allegiance tested by extreme circumstances
In Your Life:
Crisis situations reveal who will actually stand by you when it costs them something
Prophetic Warning
In This Chapter
Theoclymenus sees visions of doom but suitors laugh off his warnings about impending death
Development
New element—clear warning ignored due to arrogance
In Your Life:
When people are invested in destructive behavior, they often dismiss clear warnings about consequences
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Omar's story...
Omar lies awake the night before the big meeting, knowing tomorrow will determine everything. For months, they've been documenting the supervisor's harassment and building a case. Their mind races through scenarios, but underneath the anxiety, a strange clarity emerges. They can finally see who's really on their side versus who's been playing both sides. Maria from housekeeping nods meaningfully when they pass in the hall—she's seen everything and will testify. The union rep who seemed supportive suddenly avoids eye contact—his loyalty lies elsewhere. Even the timing feels right: the new hospital administrator just started, bringing fresh eyes to old problems. The supervisor's latest public humiliation attempt backfired spectacularly, showing everyone his true character. Tomorrow's meeting isn't just about the promotion anymore—it's about whether bullies get to keep winning. Omar feels the weight of representing everyone who's been pushed around here, but for the first time in months, they're not afraid. All the pieces are finally in place.
The Road
The road Ulysses walked before his final battle, Omar walks today. The pattern is identical: pre-confrontation clarity that strips away confusion and reveals true allies, real resources, and the exact moment when action becomes unavoidable.
The Map
This chapter provides the navigation tool of recognizing pre-battle clarity—that focused intensity when stakes are highest and survival instincts cut through all the noise. Omar can use this clarity to identify real allies, stop wasting energy on fence-sitters, and act decisively while the moment lasts.
Amplification
Before reading this, Omar might have second-guessed themselves endlessly or tried to win over people who'd already chosen sides. Now they can NAME this clarity as a gift of high-stakes moments, PREDICT that it reveals truth about relationships and resources, and NAVIGATE it by acting decisively while the insight lasts.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What signs and allies does Ulysses identify before his final confrontation with the suitors?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do the loyal servants immediately sense something familiar about the disguised beggar, while the suitors remain oblivious?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you experienced that kind of pre-crisis clarity where you suddenly saw who your real allies were?
application • medium - 4
How do you distinguish between genuine support and people just positioning for advantage when you're under pressure?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how crisis strips away pretense and reveals true character?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Support Network Under Pressure
Think of a current challenging situation you're facing or might face soon. Draw three circles: Inner (people who'd help without question), Middle (people who might help depending on circumstances), and Outer (people who seem supportive but probably wouldn't act). Place the people in your life in these circles based on their likely behavior under real pressure, not their current words.
Consider:
- •Consider past behavior during your difficult times, not just current friendliness
- •Notice who asks what they can do versus who asks what's happening
- •Remember that some quiet people are more reliable than vocal supporters
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when pressure revealed someone's true character - either disappointing you or surprising you with their loyalty. What did you learn about reading people from that experience?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 21: The Contest of the Bow
As the story unfolds, you'll explore to recognize when someone is testing your character and loyalty, while uncovering revealing your true identity requires perfect timing and trust. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.