Was Odysseus An Act Of Exaggeration?

Odysseus returns to Ithaca after sailing the open sea for 10 years. After his arrival, he is set to take revenge against the suitors. Odysseus Slaughters the whole hall, the innocent, and evil. Although many may believe that Odysseus act of revenge was an exaggeration, it was true that Odysseus action towards the suitors was fair and reasonable. On one hand, slaughtering the whole crowd was an act of exaggeration, and it was unnecessary. Though the suitors were bad, they did not deserve death as a punishment. Penelope says to the maid “Here is a poor man, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in the hall gave bits, only Antinous threw a stool and banged his shoulder” (l.1275-1278). Though the suitors were rude, some still had manners and had pity on Odysseus. Slaughtering all the suitors was violent and inappropriate. Odysseus himself had no pity for others and was straight out violent.

The suitors were very rude to Odysseus, in general, Antinous, they had no respect for him. While Odysseus is talking, Antinous says to him “enough Eat and be quiet where you are, or shamble elsewhere, unless you want these lads to stop your mouth, pulling you by the heels, or hands and feet, till your back is peeling.” (l.1248-1251). Odysseus was attended lowly, like an animal, and the suitors did not attempt to help or stand up for him. They just left him to be looked down upon. When Odysseus challenged to compete in the competition, the suitors did not hesitate to allow him. The suitors ridiculed him, and one disdainful suitor said: “may his fortune grow an inch for every inch he bends it!” (l.1369). The suitors had no manner, and respect for Odysseus, they deserved death as a