One of the study groups has been working on Odyssey 22, and in December 2020 Kosmos Society performed this rhapsody as one of the groups taking part in the Reading Greek Tragedy Online: Odyssey ’Round the World event.
You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjdf99pofjo
This Gallery features some visual depictions of this episode, also known as the Mnēstērophoníā, or Slaying of the Suitors.
Odysseus has been absent for twenty years, and meanwhile Penelope has been beset by arrogant suitors who have been abusing the hospitality of the household and behaving in a disgraceful manner, even plotting to kill Telemachus. On his return, Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, has had opportunity to witness them in person. Penelope has set up an archery contest for her hand in marriage; the suitors have not been able to string the bow much less shoot an arrow from it, but Odysseus has succeeded, and has shot an arrow through twelve axes.
Now in Odyssey 22 he casts aside his outer rags, takes his stand on the threshold, and wreaks his revenge by killing all the suitors, aided and abetted by his son Telemachus and two loyal herdsmen, Eumaios and Philoitios—and with some divine help from Athena.
The visual representations choose to incorporate some of the details found in our Odyssey, for example Odysseus initially using his bow to kill the suitors but later using a spear, tables being overturned and food on the floor, the suitors using tables as improvised shields, Telemachus assisting Odysseus, or Athena providing assistance.
After Henry Fuseli. Odysseus Slaying the Suitors. 1806. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Which is your favorite image? Do you know of other representations of the scene? If you were producing an artwork, would you select a particular moment, and if so, which one? Or which details would you choose to incorporate in order to depict the essence of the whole series of actions? Share your thoughts in the Forum!
Image credits
Attic red-figure skyphos, Odysseus slays the suitors of his wife Penelope, from Tarquinia (Italy), around 440 BCE, Altes Museum Berlin
Photo Carole Raddato. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license, via Wikimedia Commons
Detail from Scanned B&W Image of the same skyphos from Tarquinia (Italy), around 440 BCE, showing the whole scene.
Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication, via Wikimedia Commons
Ixion Painter: Mnēstērophoníā: slaughter of the suitors by Odysseus, Telemachus and Eumaios (right). Side A from a Campanian (Capouan?) red-figure bell-krater, c. 330 BCE. Louvre.
Photo: Bibi Saint-Pol, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Engraving, after: Francesco Primaticcio. 1530–1560. Ulysses and Telemachus attacking and slaying the suitors
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Tako Hajo Jelgersma: Ulysses killing the rest of the suitors. 1717-1795.
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. © The Trustees of the British Museum
After: Heinrich Dähling: Odysseus slaying the suitors 1801.
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Print made by: Ignatius Joseph van den Berghe, After: William Hamilton. Ulysses slaying the suitors of Penelope 1803.
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. © The Trustees of the British Museum
John Flaxman 1755-1826 Ulysses Killing the Suitors 1805 Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
Photo: © Tate Permitted non-commercial use under Creative Commons license.
After: Henry Fuseli. Print made by: Luigi Schiavonetti. Odysseus Slaying the Suitors. 1806.
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Degeorge, Thomas: Ulysse et Télémaque massacrent les prétendants de Pénélope. 1812. Clermont-Ferrand, musée d’Art Roger
Photo: VladoubidoOo, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, via Wikimedia Commons
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg: English: Ulysses’ revenge on Penelope’s suitors. 1814.
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bela Čikoš Sesija (1864-1931) Odysseus Kills the Suitors.
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Gustave Moreau: The Suitors (unfinished) 1852–1896.
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Images accessed March 2022.
___
Sarah Scott is a member of Kosmos Society