Symbols in The Odyssey

Throughout the Odyssey, birds represent Athena and her power, she repeatedly turns into a bird. In Book XXII, after Athena makes the suitors and bad servants go crazy, Odysseus and his three men are described as vultures, symbolizing the ferocity and mercilessness of Odysseus and his men in battle. The mad men are said to be "flying low under the clouds" using birds to show the fear of the victims. Birds also symbolize good and bad omens, like the eagles that are sent by Zeus in Book II. 

Odysseus' wound symbolizes truth and identity. He uses over and over again to show people that he really is who he says he is, people know him by this mark.

Hades obviously symbolizes death, more the unpleasantness of death, after all, it is the underworld. It symbolizes a place of despair and emptiness. The souls there are just "flitting shadows".

Book XX

Characters - Odysseus, the maids, Athena, Penelope, Zeus, Telemachos, Eurycleia, Eumaios, Melanthios, Philoitios, Amphinomos, Antinoos, Ctesippos, Agelaos Damastorides, Theoclymenos, Eurymachos, the rest of the suitors.

Summary - Odysseus tries to sleep, but can't because his mind is full of vengeance. Athena blesses him with sleep. Penelops wakes up and prays to Artemis. Odysseus gets an omen of death for the suitors from Zeus. Everyone gets to work preparing the house for the suitors' arrival. Odysseus is again taunted by Melanthios. Another herder, Philoitios, is kind to Odysseus and tells him that he doesn't like the suitors. Odysseus tells him that Odysseus will return. The suitors try to plan to kill Telemachos again. They go eat. Odysseus is treated well by Telemachos and Telemachos is bold towards the suitors. They all feast for the holiday. One of the suitors, Ctesippos, throws a hoof at Odysseus, which he dodges. Telemachos warns them not to be violent. Agelaos Damastorides argues with Telemachos about his mother's marriage. Theoclymenos tells the suitors that woe will befall them, but they just laugh and insult him, so he goes away. The suitors tease Telemachos about his guests. 

Importance - This book sets the stage for the battle to come between Odysseus and Telemachos and the suitors.

Themes - Hospitality, the suitors and Melanthios are inhospitable towards the guests. Loyalty, Philoitios is still loyal to Odysseus.

Book XIX

Characters - Odysseus, Athena, Telemachos, Eurycleia, Penelope, Melantho, Eurynome, Autolycos.

Summary - Telemachos and Odysseus begin their plan. Telemachos and Odysseus get rid of all the weapons. Melantho is rude to Odysseus again. Penelope asks Odysseus about himself. Penelope tells Odysseus about her troubles and he tells her the story of the beggar. Penelope weeps and asks Odysseus about Odysseus to make sure he is telling the truth about meeting him. He answers her questions correctly. Odysseus claims that he will return. Eurycleia is about to wash Odysseus' feet but he remembers the story of an old scar of his. Eurycleia recognizes him. Eurycleia agrees not to tell anyone. Penelops asks Odysseus to interpret her dream. She tells him her plan to hold a contest for the suitors. Penelope goes to sleep.

Importance - It shows the deep relationship between Penelope and Odysseus and Eurycleia finds out about the true identity of the beggar.

Themes - Loyalty, the loyalty between Odyssesu and Penelope and Odysseus and Eurycleia. Hospitaity, Penelope treats the beggar as an honored guest.

Book XVIII

Characters - Arnaios/Iros, Odysseus, Antinoos, Telemachos, Athena, Amphinomos, Penelope, Eurynome, Penelope's maids, Telemachos, Eurymachos, Melantho, the rest of the suitors.

Summary - The town beggar tries to drive Odysseus away. Antinoos encourages the fighting. The two beggars fight and Odysseus wins. Athena drives Penelope to show herself before the suitors. The suitors give Penelope numerous gifts. One of Penelope's nurses, Melantho, is rude to Odysseus. Odysseus stands up to Eurymachos' bullying and Eurymachos gets mad. Eurymachos throws a stool at Odysseus, but misses. The suitors leave.

Importance - It shows the conflict between Odysseus and the suitors.

Themes - Hospitality, the suitors, Iros, and Melantho are very inhospitable to Odysseus.

Book XVII

Characters - Telemachos, Odysseus, Eumaios, Eurycleia, Penelope, Peiraios, Theoclymenos, Medon, Melanthios o' Dolios, Phemios, Argos, Athena, Melanthios, Antinoos, Eurynome, the rest of the suitors.

Summary - Telemachos goes home. Peiraios hands Theoclymenos back to Telemachos. Telemachos tells his mother of his travels. Theoclymenos makes a prediction about Odysseus. Odysseus and Eumaios go to town where they are taunted by a goatherder, Melanthios. Odysseus' dog, Argos, dies after seeing Odysseus return. Odysseus eats at his own house and then begs for bread from the suitors. Odysseus begs from Antinoos, but Antinoos is rude to him and punches him. Odysseus starts plotting his vengeance. Penelope asks to speak with the Odysseus. Eumaios goes back to his pigs.

Importance - Odysseus finally returns to his house. He also meets the suitors.

Themes - Hospitality, Eumaios feeds and helps out Odysseus and the suitors give Odysseus bread.