Katherine Wright

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Dr. Steven Stryer

Literary Traditions I
November 3, 2010
A Character Schooled in Justice

The goddess Athene, greatly attached to the wanderings of Odysseus, offers him
as one gentle and kind, be one whose thought is schooled in Justice.(V. 9) Homer
seems to pursue Justice as something that is set; (there are certain actions which can not
be pardoned). Against crimes of high standing, high justice is administered in the face of
high treason. As Odysseuss conduct may surprise and even disgust the modern reader, to
the ancients in regards to the social standings of the time, Odysseus carries out actions
that are acceptable and even expected. Within the Odyssey, the reader is shown that
Odysseus is still guided by the principles of justice.
Odysseus schooled in Justice(V. 9) is acting in accordance with the terms of
justice. Athene states, godlike Odysseushe was kind, like a father.(V. 12) this allows
the reader to see that if Odysseus is not just, it is quite possible there is no one who does.
Justice gives what is due to those who offend the moral code of living: laying down a
firm foundation for the continuation of a society. Without Justice for those who break this
code, there is no assurance of peaceful society. When one breaks the moral code and goes
unpunished, a crack has been made in the society and an injustice has been done. The
lack of action would be an injustice in and of itself. The upholding of laws and codes, and
the carrying out of due punishment, allows for peace of

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mind among the members of society. Odysseus following the system of proper conduct
for the ancients, gives the suitors their due amount of justice as he restores his home.
Within the lives of Homers Odyssey, ones social status focuses and depends
upon the guest-host relationship. If ones social standing is offended, it must be restored.
The suitors violate the guest-host relationship. Telemachos addresses the offenses of the
suitors: No longer/ are the things endurable that have been done, and beyond all
decency/ my house has been destroyed (II. 63-64). When Odysseus arrives home, he
observes the suitors disrespect that he has heard of from Telemachos: I see the suitors,
their reckless devisings,/ how they show no respect to the wife, and despoil the
possessions/ of a man.(XVIII 143-145) It is Odysseuss duty to give justice not only to
the suitors but also to his family who have been deeply misused by these men. The suitors
have been disrespectful to the dignity of the palace of Odysseus, and in turn as a group
they receive justice. These actions of the suitors seal their fate, making it Odysseuss duty
to punish them according to the system of justice.
A great shift takes place at the opening of Book XXII as Odysseus reveals
himself. Odysseus stripped his rags from him, and sprang/ up atop the great threshold,
holding his bow and the quiver(XXII. 1-2). It is important that the focus is centered on
Odysseus, as this will symbolize his Lordship over his house. Athene who has assisted
him greatly up to this point continues to, but fades, in order to show it must be Odysseus
who takes back his household. The stringing of the bow establishes his superiority over

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the suitors, since the bow is a strong symbol of the greatness of Odysseus. Clean
through the soft part of the neck the point was driven./and up and through his nostrils
there burst a thick jet/ of mortal bloodthrust of his foot he kicked back/ the table from
him.(XXII. 15-20) These actions are a deserved justice being carried out by Odysseus.
The first to die by the hands of Odysseus getting shot through the neck is the imprudent,
drunkard Antinoos. The suitors have for a great length of time occupied the house of a
man and with no regards to anything but themselves, lived out of it. You dogs, you never
thought I would any more come back/ from the land of Troy, and because of that you
despoiled my household. The killing continues as Odysseus slaughters suitor by suitor,
the bloodshed and destruction of their lives continues. Noble Odysseus/ shot an arrow,
and struck him in the chest, by the nipple/, and the speeding arrow fixed in his liver, and
his sword tumbled/ out of his hand on the floor(XXII.81-83). Amongst the killing of the
suitors by Odysseus, justice is administered and the natural way of life restored.
At last Odysseus regains his proper place within his household. A man schooled in
justice, Odysseus administers a just punishment to the suitors for the violation against
that most fundamental contract of the guest-host relationship. Through a predestined
death the suitors receive their just punishment. This just punishment solidifies Odysseus
an upholder of the principles of justice.