WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.080 [Sounds of the sea] 00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:21.460 Episode 11: Setting the Trap 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:28.870 [Sounds of the sea] 00:00:28.870 --> 00:00:33.910 Antinous picked up a stool and he threw it at the old beggar, 00:00:33.910 --> 00:00:36.080 striking him on the shoulder. 00:00:36.080 --> 00:00:39.440 But the beggar didn’t falter or fall to the ground. 00:00:39.440 --> 00:00:45.080 He stood firm and the stool clattered onto the floor at his feet. 00:00:45.080 --> 00:00:52.650 And the beggar walked across and sat down among the shadows by the door of the feasting hall, 00:00:52.650 --> 00:00:54.660 and he said nothing. 00:00:54.660 --> 00:00:58.300 He brooded in silence. 00:00:58.300 --> 00:01:03.680 And the story of the old beggar spread from servant to maidservant, 00:01:03.680 --> 00:01:07.350 and from the maidservants the story reached the ears of Penelope, 00:01:07.350 --> 00:01:09.760 upstairs in her bedchamber. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:11.180 And that night, 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:19.800 when the suitors had either staggered drunken homewards or they were sleeping with their cheeks in pools of spilt wine on the table tops, 00:01:19.800 --> 00:01:22.340 when everything was quiet, 00:01:22.340 --> 00:01:25.780 Penelope came down the stairs. 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:30.640 And there was the old beggar sitting silently by the door, still. 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:32.160 And Penelope said, “Old man, 00:01:32.160 --> 00:01:33.760 old man, come upstairs, 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:36.380 I would like to speak with you.” 00:01:36.380 --> 00:01:39.090 And Odysseus saw his wife. 00:01:39.090 --> 00:01:47.330 He saw his wife for the first time in nineteen years and he bit his lip and he swallowed and he said nothing. 00:01:47.330 --> 00:01:51.720 And he got up to his feet and he followed her up the stairs to her bedchamber. 00:01:51.720 --> 00:01:52.420 She said, “Old man, 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:53.770 old man, sit down. 00:01:53.770 --> 00:01:55.430 I would like to speak with you. 00:01:55.430 --> 00:01:59.830 I have heard something of you from my faithful swineherd Eumaeus. 00:01:59.830 --> 00:02:05.650 And he has told me that you have heard stories that my husband, Odysseus, 00:02:05.650 --> 00:02:07.320 is on his way home, 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:10.450 with chests filled with treasure.” 00:02:10.450 --> 00:02:12.830 And the old beggar shook his head, 00:02:12.830 --> 00:02:14.410 “Rumours, madam, 00:02:14.410 --> 00:02:17.310 stories, nothing but rumours.” 00:02:17.310 --> 00:02:18.000 And she said, 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:23.020 “I have heard nothing but stories and rumours for nineteen long years. 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:33.220 And now the time has come for me to choose a new husband and bid farewell forever to these walls that welcomed me as a wife, 00:02:33.220 --> 00:02:35.850 all those years ago.” 00:02:35.850 --> 00:02:38.170 And the old beggar said, “Madam, 00:02:38.170 --> 00:02:41.960 I can see your sorrows match my own. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:43.250 But tell me, 00:02:43.250 --> 00:02:46.010 which one of these suitors will you choose? 00:02:46.010 --> 00:02:48.060 And how will you choose him?” 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:49.790 And Penelope said, “Old man, 00:02:49.790 --> 00:02:54.730 I have been thinking about it all day and I have a plan. 00:02:54.730 --> 00:02:59.260 You see, years ago before he went to fight in distant Troy, 00:02:59.260 --> 00:03:02.360 it was my husband’s, sweet Odysseus’, 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:05.390 it was his favourite sport to take his bow, 00:03:05.390 --> 00:03:10.310 his great bow which still hangs from a wooden peg on the wall of the feasting hall. 00:03:10.310 --> 00:03:14.080 He would take that bow and he would draw the bow string across it. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:19.740 And then twelve axes would be set in a row the length of the feasting hall: 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:24.020 twelve ceremonial axes one behind the other, 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:25.810 with their blades to the ground, 00:03:25.810 --> 00:03:27.770 their handles pointing upwards, 00:03:27.770 --> 00:03:30.990 the rings of the axe handles in a row. 00:03:30.990 --> 00:03:33.120 And when everything was ready, Odysseus – 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.560 I can see him now in my mind’s eye – 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:38.580 he would take an arrow and he would fit it to the bow string, 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:40.660 and he would draw the bow string back, 00:03:40.660 --> 00:03:45.730 and he would loose the arrow through the rings of the twelve ceremonial axe handles. 00:03:45.730 --> 00:03:49.270 There was nobody who could match him. 00:03:49.270 --> 00:03:57.650 I will set the suitors the same task and whichever one comes closest to matching my husband in skill, 00:03:57.650 --> 00:04:02.110 him I will take as a new husband. 00:04:02.110 --> 00:04:08.900 But old man, it wasn’t to pour my heart out to you that I invited you up here this evening. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:16.070 You see, I have had a dream and often you travelling people are skilled at reading such things.” 00:04:16.070 --> 00:04:18.050 And the old beggar said, “Then madam, 00:04:18.050 --> 00:04:20.520 tell me your dream.” 00:04:20.520 --> 00:04:26.000 “In my dream I kept a flock of fat white geese, 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:28.270 I kept them in my husband’s hall, 00:04:28.270 --> 00:04:31.810 and every day I fed them with my own hands. 00:04:31.810 --> 00:04:35.820 And in my dream an eagle swooped down from the mountains, 00:04:35.820 --> 00:04:37.690 slaughtered all of the geese, 00:04:37.690 --> 00:04:40.260 sat on a rafter and sang.” 00:04:40.260 --> 00:04:42.260 And the old beggar said, “Madam, 00:04:42.260 --> 00:04:45.230 that dream is easily read. 00:04:45.230 --> 00:04:49.420 The geese are the suitors who feast in your husband’s hall. 00:04:49.420 --> 00:04:54.750 The eagle is Odysseus and one day he will return and kill all of them!” 00:04:54.750 --> 00:04:55.400 And she said, 00:04:55.400 --> 00:04:57.010 “Yes, yes, yes, old man, 00:04:57.010 --> 00:04:58.230 I know that. 00:04:58.230 --> 00:05:01.210 But dreams come to us through two gates: 00:05:01.210 --> 00:05:05.500 either through a gate of ivory or through a gate of horn. 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:11.020 And those dreams that come to us through the curved and decorated gates of ivory, 00:05:11.020 --> 00:05:15.410 those dreams are mere fancies, fantasies. 00:05:15.410 --> 00:05:20.420 But the dreams that come to us through the burnished gates of horn, 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:23.660 those dreams carry the truth. 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:28.330 Which gate did my dream come through, old man?” 00:05:28.330 --> 00:05:33.560 And the old beggar looked at the floor between his feet and he said, 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:35.630 “I wish I knew. 00:05:35.630 --> 00:05:38.330 I wish I knew.” 00:05:38.330 --> 00:05:43.180 And Penelope nodded and she turned and she called over her shoulder, 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:45.990 “Eurycleia, Eurycleia!” 00:05:45.990 --> 00:05:52.120 And the door opened and in came old Eurycleia, an ancient servant. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:54.950 And Odysseus recognised her instantly. 00:05:54.950 --> 00:06:00.600 Old Eurycleia, who had suckled him when he was a baby and looked after him when he was a child. 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:02.520 And Penelope said, “Eurycleia, 00:06:02.520 --> 00:06:04.970 take this old man, 00:06:04.970 --> 00:06:06.560 wash his feet, 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:11.420 and give him a new warm woollen cloak for his old shoulders!” 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:14.140 And the old woman nodded her head up and down 00:06:14.140 --> 00:06:16.850 and she said, “Old man, come with me, come with me, come with me!” 00:06:16.850 --> 00:06:21.280 And she led the old beggar out of the bedchamber and she showed him a bench where he could sit. 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:28.680 And she went and she fetched a bowl of steaming water and she took off the old beggar’s sandals and she washed his feet, 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:30.610 and she washed his ankles, 00:06:30.610 --> 00:06:32.540 and she washed his calves, 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:38.030 and she washed his knees and then the old woman stopped and she stared. 00:06:38.030 --> 00:06:44.570 Up the inside of the old beggar’s thigh she saw a scar, a jagged scar, 00:06:44.570 --> 00:06:52.190 and she recognised it instantly as a scar that Odysseus had received when he was a boy from the tusk of a wild boar. 00:06:52.190 --> 00:06:55.110 And she looked up into the old beggar’s face and she said, “It’s you! 00:06:55.110 --> 00:06:56.030 It’s you! 00:06:56.030 --> 00:06:57.650 You’re home at last!” 00:06:57.650 --> 00:06:59.740 And the old beggar reached out and caught her by the throat, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:00.840 “Shh, woman. 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:03.300 If you love me, hold your tongue! 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:04.920 Say nothing!” 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:08.300 And the old woman nodded her head up and down. 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:17.370 And she hobbled off and she fetched a cloak and she gave it to the old beggar and he threw it over his shoulder and he winked at Eurycleia. 00:07:17.370 --> 00:07:22.350 And then he made his way downstairs and there was his son Telemachus. 00:07:22.350 --> 00:07:23.110 And Odysseus said, 00:07:23.110 --> 00:07:26.280 “Telemachus, Telemachus, come here, listen to me, do exactly what I tell you. 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:29.160 All the weapons that are hanging from the walls of this feasting hall – 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:32.620 take them and hide them in a locked chamber. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.340 If anybody asks you where they are, 00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:39.870 tell them they have become tarnished and smoke-blackened and they have gone to be cleaned and sharpened. 00:07:39.870 --> 00:07:48.210 Leave only my own bow hanging from its wooden peg on the wall and the twelve ceremonial axes. 00:07:48.210 --> 00:07:49.680 And when everything is ready, 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.480 among the shadows by the door, 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:54.060 hide a bow for yourself, 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:56.640 two quivers full of arrows, 00:07:56.640 --> 00:07:59.960 two swords and two spears. 00:07:59.960 --> 00:08:01.620 And when everything is ready, 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:03.860 go to old Eurycleia. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:07.950 She alone has recognised me and knows my secret. 00:08:07.950 --> 00:08:11.350 Tell her that tomorrow, when I signal to her, 00:08:11.350 --> 00:08:15.040 she is to make her way out of the hall and round, 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:20.520 and she is to lock all the doors from the outside.” 00:08:20.520 --> 00:08:23.510 And straightaway Telemachus set to work. 00:08:23.510 --> 00:08:30.660 And Odysseus went out of the hall and he lay down on some soft grass and he wrapped himself in his cloak, 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:36.940 and he fell into the sweet oblivious balm of sleep. 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:41.500 And he was woken by the sun shining onto his face. 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:43.330 And he got up to his feet. 00:08:43.330 --> 00:08:47.360 Already the suitors were gathered, feasting and drinking. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:50.070 He made his way to the door of the hall, he lifted the latch, 00:08:50.070 --> 00:08:53.180 he pushed it open and he went from table to table, 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:54.600 his arms outstretched, 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.070 begging for food. 00:08:56.070 --> 00:08:57.690 One of the suitors said, “Look, 00:08:57.690 --> 00:08:59.310 the old beggar’s back!” 00:08:59.310 --> 00:09:00.750 And another one said, “Old man, 00:09:00.750 --> 00:09:03.090 come here, have some wine!” 00:09:03.090 --> 00:09:04.830 and he offered a cup of wine. 00:09:04.830 --> 00:09:07.470 And the beggar came across but as he reached to take the cup, 00:09:07.470 --> 00:09:12.370 the suitor drew back his hands and he tipped the wine over the old beggar’s head. 00:09:12.370 --> 00:09:13.780 And another one said, “Old man, 00:09:13.780 --> 00:09:15.120 have a piece of meat!” 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:19.070 and he picked up the shin bone of an ox and he hurled it at the beggar, 00:09:19.070 --> 00:09:20.760 striking him on the forehead. 00:09:20.760 --> 00:09:24.180 So the red blood trickled down with the red wine, 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:29.390 and all the suitors threw back their heads and they bellowed with laughter. 00:09:29.390 --> 00:09:31.610 But then suddenly their laughter stopped 00:09:31.610 --> 00:09:34.600 because, coming down the stairs from her bedchamber, 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:38.440 was Penelope dressed in bright silks, 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:41.610 with her hair hanging loose over her shoulders. 00:09:41.610 --> 00:09:45.650 And hobbling down behind her, old Eurycleia. 00:09:45.650 --> 00:09:49.100 When Penelope came to the bottom of the stairs she stopped, 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:52.780 and she looked at the suitors and she said, 00:09:52.780 --> 00:10:00.680 “For years you have fastened on my husband’s hall as your place of perpetual feasting. 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:05.510 And your excuse has always been that you want to win my hand in marriage. 00:10:05.510 --> 00:10:11.810 And now the time has come for me to put you to the test.” 00:10:11.810 --> 00:10:16.580 And she reached and she took the bow from its wooden peg on the wall. 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.200 And she said, 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:25.470 “Whichever one of you comes closest to matching my husband’s skill in drawing a string across this bow, 00:10:25.470 --> 00:10:30.690 and loosing an arrow through the rings of twelve ceremonial axe handles, 00:10:30.690 --> 00:10:42.390 him I will take as a new husband and bid farewell forever to these walls that welcomed me as a wife all those years ago.” 00:10:42.390 --> 00:10:46.180 And she turned and she nodded to Eurycleia. 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:47.750 And Eurycleia set to work. 00:10:47.750 --> 00:10:49.910 She took the axes from the wall. 00:10:49.910 --> 00:10:53.050 She set them on the ground, one behind the other, 00:10:53.050 --> 00:10:56.820 the blades to the ground, the handles pointing upwards, the rings in a row – 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:58.450 twelve axes, 00:10:58.450 --> 00:11:02.390 just as she remembered Odysseus doing it all those years before. 00:11:02.390 --> 00:11:03.940 And when everything was ready, 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:06.740 Penelope turned to the suitors and she said, “Now, 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:11.180 which one of you is man enough to win me!” 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:16.710 And there was a great hubbub and discussion among the suitors then as to who should go first. 00:11:16.710 --> 00:11:19.670 And at last they decided to take it in turns, 00:11:19.670 --> 00:11:25.770 following the direction that the wine jug took when it was passed from hand to hand. 00:11:25.770 --> 00:11:32.530 And the first of the suitors to try his hand to the bow was called Leodes. 00:11:32.530 --> 00:11:35.770 He took it in his fat, white fingers, 00:11:35.770 --> 00:11:39.230 swollen from months of feasting. 00:11:39.230 --> 00:11:42.560 He set the foot of it to the floor at his own feet, 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:46.010 and he began to try to bend the bow, 00:11:46.010 --> 00:11:50.180 but it sprang out of his hand and clattered onto the floor. 00:11:50.180 --> 00:11:54.620 And so the second suitor tried and fared no better. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:59.170 And each of them in turn tried to string the bow and not one of them could do it. 00:11:59.170 --> 00:12:01.190 Some came closer than others, 00:12:01.190 --> 00:12:04.480 but not one of them could string that bow. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:09.410 And so they began to warm it in front of the fire and rubbed beeswax into it, 00:12:09.410 --> 00:12:15.260 and each of them tried again and still not one of them could do it. 00:12:15.260 --> 00:12:22.720 And Penelope stood with her arms folded and she watched and she shook her head and she said, 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:26.180 “Perhaps the day is not a lucky one. 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:34.580 Perhaps the day is not auspicious.” 00:12:29.370 --> 00:12:34.580 And she turned and she made her way up the stairs and old Eurycleia followed her, 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:36.760 hobbling up the stairs. 00:12:36.760 --> 00:12:39.140 And as the old nursemaid climbed the stairs, 00:12:39.140 --> 00:12:42.190 the beggar sitting among the shadows by the door, 00:12:42.190 --> 00:12:46.270 caught her eye and he winked and he nodded. 00:12:46.270 --> 00:12:48.780 And the nursemaid smiled. 00:12:48.780 --> 00:12:55.010 And as soon as she was out of sight she made her way out and down and round, 00:12:55.010 --> 00:12:58.910 and she locked all the doors to the feasting hall, 00:12:58.910 --> 00:13:01.890 from the outside. 00:13:01.890 --> 00:13:45.960 [Closing music]