Odyssey Study Guide Contents
The last book deals with the reunion of Odysseus and his wife, but it is not the end. In the nekuia, Book XI, Odysseus sees his mother who tells him his father, Laertes, isn't doing well. Repeating both the Underworld theme of the nekuia and the failing health of Laertes, Book XXIV begins with the psychopomp Hermes leading the shades of the dead to the Underworld goes on to the reunion of Odysseus with his frail father. After the two are reunited and the suitors' relatives come upon them for revenge, Laertes is enhanced by Athena and becomes a suitably healthy warrior again, the only one of Odysseus' band to score a kill. The only man to die is the father of the worst of the suitors. Eupeithes is not only the father of the most arrogant suitor, but actually encouraged the suitors in their misbehavior and then tries to stir on the other grieving family members to go after Odysseus.
Athena defers to her father Zeus about how to resolve the situation that clamors for revenge. Zeus tells her it's none of his business, but offers advice. The advice is what Athena wants to do anyway. After Laertes kills Eupeithes, like a deus ex machina in Euripides' Greek tragedy, Athena warns Odysseus to stop the fight and arrange for peace, or risk displeasing her father. Since Odysseus knows what divine displeasure is like, he stops. Peace is had by all.
