The Odyssey, Book 20 summary
Book 20 of 24 · 15 min to read the book
In Book 20, Ulysses struggles to control his anger, receives divine reassurance, and finds encouragement in signs that support his revenge against the suitors. During the feast, Telemachus challenges their abuse, while their renewed insults and rejection of Theoclymenus’ warning sharpen the threat of violence without bringing the attack itself.
What happens
- Minerva reassures the sleepless Ulysses, while Penelope prays for death rather than marriage to another man.
- Ulysses requests two signs, and Jove’s thunder accompanies a mill woman’s prayer that the suitors eat no more dinners.
- Eumaeus and Philoetius show loyalty to their absent master, while Melanthius insults the stranger.
- An eagle carrying a dove makes Amphinomus advise abandoning the plot against Telemachus, and the suitors turn to dinner.
- Ctesippus throws a heifer’s foot at Ulysses, misses, and receives a fierce warning from Telemachus.
- Theoclymenus describes visions of death and leaves amid mockery, while Telemachus watches his father and Penelope listens.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of The Odyssey, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
In this book
What to notice
Theoclymenus connects the threatened disaster directly to the suitors’ behavior. Their mockery shows that his warning does not change their conduct.
Quick check
What happens when Ctesippus throws the heifer’s foot at Ulysses?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of The Odyssey, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
