A test of resolve meets its first resistance. Telemachus’ claim to authority is no longer spoken into silence, but answered—sharply and in public.

In this passage from The Odyssey, the suitors respond to Telemachus’ bold words with mockery and veiled threat. Antinous scoffs at the idea of Telemachus ruling Ithaca, while Eurymachus strikes a smoother tone, probing for weakness by questioning the mysterious stranger who has just departed. Telemachus, however, does not retreat: he separates kingship from household rule and firmly asserts his right to govern his father’s estate.

This moment matters because it clarifies the stakes. Telemachus’ authority is contested, his enemies revealed, and the conflict between host and intruders now stands fully exposed.

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Odyssey is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Homer’s classic epic — every day. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Odyssey.

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