Book 24 Study Guide

Characters

Hermes - He leads the suitor ghosts to Hades. God of messengers and

thieves.

Achilles (ghost) - Fierce warrior that fought at Troy

Agamemnon (ghost) – King that was killed while returning from Troy

Suitors (ghosts) - Talk to Achilles and Agamemnon about how Odysseus

had killed them when they are lead through the underworld.

Odysseus- he travels to his father’s house to talk about his past

journey. Before telling him who he is he toys with him first.

Laertes- Odysseus’s father who owns a farm and has missed his son
very much. He rejoices to the gods from bringing his son back home alive.

Important Quotes

“Kiss and embrace his father, pour out the long tale how he had made
the journey home to native land or probe him first and test him every way?
Torn, mulling it over, this seemed better: test the old man first.” (Lines 261-
265)

– Odysseus lets his pride and ego get in the way. He still does not
trust anyone, not even his own father.

“Living proof- and Lartes’ knees went slack, his heart surrendered,
recognizing the strong clear signs Odysseus offered.”(Lines 384-386)

– Penelope did the same thing on pg. 462 when she realized that
Odysseus was really the disguised beggar in her palace.

Plot

-The book opens up with Hermes leading the suitor ghosts through the
underworld where they meet Achilles and Agamemnon. Here they reflect
about the Trojan War and how the suitors had been killed by Odysseus

- Odysseus arrives at his father’s, Laertes’, house. He does not tell who
he is right away, but tests his father. This shows that Odysseus still has his
pride and ego. After this, he and his father talk about old times and what has
happened in their lives since they departed
 - an angry mob of the parents of the suitors come to try and kill
Odysseus because of what the goddess Rumor spread, but before the battle
could get out of hand, Athena came in and stopped the battle, making
everyone forget what had happened. Only Eupithes was killed.