Author:
Jan Scholten
Book:
Secret Lanthanides
Type:
Mythology 2
Chapter:
2.7.12
2.7.12 Stage 12, Dysprosium: the suitors
Odysseus and Telemachus discuss the situation at the palace with the 108 suitors who are after Penelope. They conclude that there are too many suitors to attack them directly. Telemachus suggests they seek help, but Odysseus says that the help of Athena and Zeus must suffice. Telemachus goes back to the palace and later Odysseus arrives in the form of a beggar. The suitors have planned to kill Telemachus after their failed attack on his return earlier. Odysseus arrives as a beggar. Antinous, one of the suitors, gets angry with him. Odysseus reprimands him, but avoids the fight.
The suitors are the enemies, who try to take what is not theirs. The idea of enemies is central for Stage 12. The whole palace is full of enemies and it’s difficult to confront them directly. Odysseus does it secretly, trying to get them exposed before he really starts the fight. It can be seen as the secret service of Stage 12.