The Odyssey, Books 17 & 18

Home at last—but not yet revealed. In Books 17 and 18 of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus reaches Ithaca in a beggar’s rags, tests the hearts of men, and steels himself for justice. He and the loyal swineherd Eumaeus enter the city; the goatherd Melanthius sneers; faithful Argos lifts his head one final time to know his master. In the great hall, Antinous strikes the “stranger,” Penelope summons him, and the suitors’ arrogance swells. When the blustering Irus challenges him, Odysseus answers with a single, crushing blow. He warns the decent Amphinomus, while Penelope’s radiant appearance wins costly gifts and fans the flames of desire. By torchlight the revels curdle into menace, and Telemachus finds his voice. The trap is nearly sprung. Rendered into clear, muscular English prose by Samuel Butler, this installment keeps all the bite, irony, and human tenderness of the epic. William Johnston’s expressive narration balances tension and warmth, giving distinctive life to Penelope’s poise, Telemachus’s growth, the swaggering suitors, and the king in disguise. Perfect for first-time listeners and longtime Homer fans alike, The Odyssey, Books 17 & 18 delivers a taut, dramatic prelude to the long-awaited reckoning.