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How Is Odysseus Similar To The Death Of The Suitors

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Compare and Contrast: In The Odyssey Melanthius is brutally killed. “With rustless swords they lopped his nose and ears, pulled out his bowels to be eaten raw by dogs, and in their rage cut off his hands and feet” (Homer 283). He is killed in this manner because he is a wingman of Antinous, the unofficial leader of the suitors. This may symbolize the end of the suitors once and for all. Odysseus is making a statement, one that says he is the leader now. In Edith Hamilton’s Mythology this event is not mentioned at all. She only mentions the killing of Antinous, but does not even include his name, instead saying: “...he shot an arrow. It found it’s mark; one of the suitors fell dying to the floor” (Hamilton 317). Hamilton is painting the big picture - how Odysseus is killing the suitor and making the kingdom his - while Homer is writing in detail about the death of the important suitors. Melanthius may not be mentioned in Mythology, but his death is the end of the suitors.
Infer: From what I have read, I can infer that Melanthius was killed in the manner because it is the way that the …show more content…

He says he has met Odysseus and that he is still alive somewhere. Laertes sobs and groans. Then, “Odysseus’ heart was stirred. Up through his nostrils shot a tingling pand as he beheld his father. Forward he sprang and clasped him and kissed him” (Homer 300). None of this scene is mentioned in Mythology. While this event does describe the emotional homecoming of Odysseus, it does not drastically change the story, which is probably why Hamilton did not include it. Odysseus has already defeated the suitors and claimed the kingdom as his once again. The brief fight that breaks out is also not mentioned because it too does not change the ending of the story. All of these events serve as a resolution in Homer’s writing and tie up the end of the story, but are not vital to the

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