Book Twenty Four
Book Twenty Four
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 Hermes escorts the spirits of the suitors down to Hades – the
underworld.
 Here, they meet the ghosts of Agamemnon and Achilles
talking to each other. Agamemnon tells Achilles about the
glorious funeral they gave the hero (Achilles) after he was
killed at Troy.
 Agamemnon also tells his own story: how he was killed and
of the disloyalty of his own wife, Clytemnestra, who fell in
love with Aegisthus. Both she and her lover had him
murdered. His sorry story contrasts sharply with Penelope
who is loyal to her husband.
Book Twenty Four
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 The arrival of the suitors interrupts their conversation.
Agamemnon asks one of the suitors, Amphimedon
whom he recognises, how they died.
 The suitors tell the ghosts what has happened at the
palace: Odysseus’ return, their deaths etc. They are
firmly convinced that Penelope was behind the plot all
along.
 Agamemnon declares what a marvellous woman
Penelope is, in contrast to his murdering wife
Clytemnestra. Penelope had been “faithful to her
wedded love”.
Book Twenty Four
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 Meanwhile, in the world above, Odysseus meets his father Laertes
in an orchard. Odysseus decides to play a trick on him- to see if
his father will recognise his son. He tells a tale about how he is
from Sicily and that he has met Odysseus before.
 Finally, Odysseus reveals himself, through his scar. He recalls the
trees that Laertes gave him when was a young boy. He points out
where these trees were planted.
 After Laertes embraces his son, he baths and changes his clothes.
With Athene’s help he is nobly transformed, and loses his
dishevelled appearance. Telemachos joins the two men, along
with a loyal servant called Dolius (and his sons).
Book Twenty Four
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 The Odyssey ends with a confrontation between Odysseus
and the relatives of the suitors.
 The father of Antinous, the leading suitor, attacks Odysseus
but Laertes smashes a spear through his brains.
 Athene urges Zeus to separate the two groups and he sends
down a thunderbolt. They get the message.
 The gods have decided. Odysseus is lord of Ithaca once
again. The story is over.
Book Twenty Four: Important
Points
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 Note that the ending is awkward and has been criticised. Is it definitely
meant to be part of The Odyssey? Some critics think the actual epic ends
on Book 23.
 However, we do see the royal household restored and Odysseus
reunited with his father.
 The episode with the suitors in Hades also reinforces the morality of
their punishment they got what they deserved.
 The contrast between the house of Agamemnon and the house of
Odysseus is illustrated. Agamemnon was cruelly killed by disloyal wife.
Odysseus in contrast enjoys the loyalty and love of his family.
Book Twenty Four Questions
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1. Summarise how the epic comes to an
end.