Book 14). Staying faithful beyond the expectations of his king ever returning is one of the highest forms of loyalty in all of literature. Also Eumaeus show his disgust for the evil suitors, which really impresses Odysseus.Athena helps Odysseus in more ways than one. She even gives him advice on how to address his own son Telemakhos. She makes Odysseus appear larger and stronger than he actually is just to impress Telemakhos. This is a great gesture by Athena because it doesn’t seem to pose any great benefit to her. Another token of Odysseus greatness comes from an old dog. Argos who was only a pup when Odysseus left was now an old dog who was laying on a pile of his own waste (Book 17). Odysseus sheds a silent tear for he cannot express his love for his old dog as he is in the presence of others (Book 17). The dog recognizes his old ruler wags his tale and then dies (Book 17).Through more of Athena’s advice Odysseus moves around the castle begging from each suitor (Book 17). Antinous the most evil of all the suitors is rude and hurls a chair at him. It takes a lot of restraint from both Odysseus and Telemakhos to not react (Book 17). Odysseus shows his great strength in book 18 when a dumb suitor that the other suitors like to tease shows up. The suitors talk Iros into fighting Odysseus. Odysseus without the help of any gods effortlessly breaks the poor man’s jaw. This point in the story I respect Odysseus strength because he destroys this man effortlessly on his own.In Book 21, we see another example of Odysseus strength. A contest is held to see who can string Odysseus bow. While the suitors are unsuccessfully trying to string the bow Odysseus is recruiting some loyal servants. Odysseus then enters the room still disguised and strings the bow. After all those years he is still stronger than all of the younger suitors. Now comes the gruesome battle between the suitors and Odysseus. In the end all ...
