5th CLASSICS notes on Homer’s Odyssey
Justice in the Odyssey
The notice of justice both divine and mortal is a central theme in the Odyssey.
Justice so important to ancient Greek culture that it is the very first things we learn about
in Book 1 when Zeus, talking on Mount Olympus reminds the gods of Aegisthus’ fate.
‘ What a lamentable thing it is that men should blame the gods and regard us as the source of
their troubles when it is their own recklessness which brings them suffering that was not their
destiny. Consider Aegisthus: it was not his destiny to steal Agamemnon’s wife and murder her
husband when he came home. He knew that the result would be utter disaster, since we
ourselves had sent Hermes, the giant-slayer, to warn him neither to kill the man nor to court his
wife. For Orestes, as Hermes told him, was bound to avenge Agamemnon as soon as he grew up
and thought with longing of his home. Yet with all his friendly counsel Hermes failed to dissuade
him. And now Aegisthus has paid the final price for all his sins.’
- Homer’s Odyssey Book 1 (Rieu, p.4)
Here none other than Zeus himself tells us what is just and what is evil.
 It is wrong to blame the gods when the source of men’s suffering is their own reckless
actions.
 It is wrong to ignore the gods’ advice
 It is wrong to abuse the code of hospitality by stealing another man’s wife
 It is wrong to think that a son will not avenge his father.
Therein we have 4 of the most important themes in the Odyssey all tied to justice
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Fate
Piety
Hospitality
Father-Son Relationships
We also learn that the gods give good to good people and bad to bad people in the end.
And that action is what counts not conscience. If you commit a crime with a bad feeling,
it is still a crime.
The Suitors deserve to die because they abuse the code of Xenia (hospitality).
We know this because at the very beginning of the epic Athena tells Zeus how she
disapproves of their behaviour and when as Mentes she talks to Telemachus she asks him
why he tolerates such outrageous behaviour and promises that if Odysseus could only see
them he would give them a quick death and a sorry wedding.
We know the gods approve of the slaughter of the suitors because in Book 2 when
Telemachus prays for a day of reckoning when he and his father will kill them all Zeus
sends an omen to confirm the divine sanction of his prayer, but the impious suitors ignore
it.
5th CLASSICS notes on Homer’s Odyssey
We know that the suitors deserve to die because they earn death. Throughout the epic
they constantly show themselves up
 Telemachus’ hospitality for granted
In Book 2 he effectively sues them in the Achaean Assembly but loses the suit because
he is too immature to master his emotions. Still we know he is in the right because
Athena told him to do it.

The suitors do not court Penelope like true noble men. The act like dogs, wolf
whistling and barking to bed her in front of her son in Book 1. Penelope herself tells
them off in Book 18. She send them scurrying off to bring her engagement presents
much to the delight of her husband disguised as a beggar who witnesses her trickery
and cannot help but smile.
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The suitors mistreat and corrupt the maids and servants. Melantho has become
Eurymachus’ mistress. They spy on Penelope for the suitors. This is the reason why
her cunning trick of the shroud was exposed. They have forced the herald Medon and
the bard Phemius into their service against their will. They insult Eumaeus and when
in Book 20 Odysseus asks for Zeus to give him a sign of approval for his revenge the
clap of thunder is followed by a lowly scullery maid praying for Odysseus to return
and kill them all.
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The suitors are also individually guilty because Odysseus tests them all.
 Antinous shows himself to be arrogant (hybris) and impious when he abuses the
beggar (a guest and suppliant) by throwing a stool at him. The whole hall is
shocked by this.
 Eurymachus shows us that he is egotistical and that make him duplicitous (two
faced). He only desires kleos (a good reputation) and this obsession has led him
to court Odysseus’ wife. But when he fails to string her husband’s bow he admits
that he is more concerned with his reputation than anything else. Despite this we
know he is a liar. He s sleeping with Melantho when professing love for Penelope
and he doesn’t even have the courage stand up and take responsibility. When
Odysseus finally reveals himself Eurymachus tries to blame it all on Antinous
who Odysseus shot first.
At the other end of the scale the lesser suitors are equally guilty
 Amphinomus the suitors’ wine servant lacks the inward courage to do the right
thing. Disguised as the beggar, Odysseus tells Amphinomus that what he is doing
is wrong and urges him to depart but despite knowing in his heart that the beggar
is right Amphinomus still returns to his place amongst the suitors. Homer tells us
his conscience is no use for Athena has already marked him out to fall by
Teleamchus’ spear.
 Leodes the suitor’s seer deserves to die because he simply follows the crowd. He
is the first to attempt to string the bow and when he fails he simply shrugs and
says that when the rest fail they will all go off to the house of the next woman
and court her. When he kneels before Odysseus’ sword Odysseus tells him that
despite his seeming goodness he still offered sacrifice against his safe return and
wished to steal his wife and sire children on her. That is why the hero kills him.
5th CLASSICS notes on Homer’s Odyssey
The Loyal Servants
Eumaeus
Is loyal, pious and a good host
Eumaus’ loyalty is rewarded in the end. Odysseus promises to free him and give him
a house and lands in exchange for standing by his side when he takes his revenge.
Eumaeus
Philoetius
Eurycleia
Eurynome
The Disloyal Servants
Melantho
Melanthius
Odysseus’ crew
Polyphemus
Odysseus himself