#the slaughter of the suitors

[katerinaaqu]

Thinking about Eurymachus said that Odysseus used to place him on his knees, feeding him roasted meat and wine makes it for one even more apparent how young the suitors were plus makes his and their betrayal strike deep

Imagine Odysseus hearing that these children he was so close with grew up and now are in his palace harassing his wife and plotting to kill his son! No wonder he tried to warn them till the last moment

Let that sink in!

[homers-filing-cabinet]

Tomorrow, Odysseus will be home.

[gingermintpepper]

I haven't read the Odyssey so I'm asking you. Are you telling me besides Athena, Apollo was the god who helped Odysseus and his family the most? Indirectly at least.

If that's true it's really a missed opportunity in EPIC.

No, no, the god who assists Odysseus the most after Athena is unquestionably Zeus.

Zeus genuinely has no problems with Odysseus and makes it very clear that he finds the man brilliant and would have already had him home and safe if he had his way, but he makes it clear that he's deferring to Poseidon who actually has the problem with Odysseus because, ultimately, the sea is Poseidon's domain and kingdom and Zeus doesn't intend to step on his brother's toes.

(Od. Book 1 trans. Robert Fitzgerald)

I'd definitely give third place to Apollo however. The big bug-bear about Apollo in the Odyssey is just that he's much less tangible than Athena or even Hermes who appears to Odysseus multiple times to help guide him/give him proclamations. His presence is everywhere though; like I've previously mentioned (and like he did with Jason) it's Apollo protecting Odysseus from Poseidon as he sails the sea after Odysseus blinds Polyphemus. It's also Apollo keeping Telemachus safe. His most vital role by far is when Odysseus returns to Ithaca in time for the challenge that will determine the next king. Not only is it a shooting contest whose first hurdle is to string a bow, the challenge itself takes place on a festival day for Apollo. Athena is there with Odysseus and Telemachus physically, but Apollo is looking after them in spirit, sending signs and signals to keep Telemachus especially safe.

(Od. Book 15, Telemachus warns about the state of Odysseus' house to Theoclymenus, a son of one of Apollo's prophets.)

There's also the fact that Odysseus makes sure to pray to Apollo before he attempts to string the bow:

(Od. Book 21. Beggar-Odysseus petitions to shoot his shot)

Likewise, before he slays the first suitor, Odysseus again prays for Apollo's guidance and gaze to guide his arrows:

(Od. Book 22. Odysseus commits the first of many (divinely-sanctioned) murders)

Also, as an additional thing, have Telemachus invoking Zeus, Athena and Apollo that he could see the suitors have their asses beat:

(Od. Book 18. Telemachus excitedly gushes to him mom about his cool new friend (Odysseus. Odysseus is the friend.)

There's a lot of minimisation of Apollo's role in the Odyssey because it isn't as bright and showy as his role was in the Iliad but hey, even there people tend to minimise how truly present Apollo is for the duration of the war when they're doing adaptations. Within Epic, the stage is already more than set for both Apollo and Athena to be there at the advent of Odysseus' revenge but none of that matters if that's not the creator's intention, y'know?

[dacenturion]

My tribute for the Ithaca Saga. I wonder if something will ever make me feel the same way I did when I listened to it. Love you Jorge

[emmikay]

Odysseus: Enemy prisoner out lived his usefulness? Dickhead put your child in danger to force you to go to war? Come home at last after 20 years away to 108 assholes invading your home, consuming your riches and harassing your wife and son???

Odysseus: Have you considered… murder?

[lalis-fandom-stuff]

Odysseus 🤝 Kevin from Home Alone

Getting those bastards out of their damn homes

[blueblurbbaskets]

Thinking about Epic the Musical/the Odyssey and isn't it fun how Odysseus is technically responsible for wiping out what is likely the majority of the adult male population of Ithaca :)

[shittywriterbrain]

when you realise that both odysseus and medea are manipulating, deceiving characters who are way too smart for their own good but are overcome by anger, pride and jealousy which leads them to commit horrendous acts of violence. and then odysseus is the hero and medea is the bitch

[themaxbox]

As the number 1 Telemachus lover I know, I want to have something to say right now.

But the inside of my brain is just

And not a single real thought

[undercoverangell]

yall know that scene .. in lotr.. where aragorn really sexily opens the door to helms deep ... yeah <3

[stylosha]

DISCUSS: does amphinomus technically count as a character doomed by the narrative

[homers-filing-cabinet]

4 days until Odysseus gets home

[arcxnumvitae]

I mean, what more is there to say? Mass slaughter? Mhoirbheinn.

Mercy? MERCY?!

[emmikay]

I have finished reading the Odysseus! And yes reading even though I was initially listening on audiobook, guess what I got for Christmas!

Conclusion: Yeah, I'll file this as part of my brain chemistry.

@dootznbootz

[chronomally]

Even as the author of Beowulf talks about the rise of the house of Shield Sheafson, the many great battles won by himself and his sons, the specter of doom hangs over Heorot Hall:

...The hall towered,

its gables wide and high and awaiting

a barbarous burning. That doom abided,

but in time it would come...

[undercoverangell]

everyday the voices tell me to make a legendary/little wolf animatic