"Now it is not so much the proud suitors I resent for doing their violent acts by their minds' evil devising; for they lay their heads on the line when they violently eat up the house of Odysseus... but now I hold it against you other people, how you all sit there in silence, and never with an assault of words try to check the suitors, though they are so few, and you so many."
So spoke Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus, in support of Telemachos' plea for assistance in driving out the suitors. But the crowd said nothing, and allowed the suitors to continue their 'courtship.' Was Antinoos' rebuttal really so convincing? He had blamed Penelope for the entire situation. But could anyone really think it was her fault? The suitors were fully aware that she was putting them off. Why would they still be waiting for her? Was she that hard to give up - or were they more concerned about the free meals? Did these men enjoy being put off?
I can't believe that all the people listening to this argument thought it was valid. But they did nothing. They just sat in silence.
P.S. I commented on Susan Berner's post.
I absolutely hate it when stuff like this happens, When someone is in trouble and no one stands up for them. Now it might just be me but I hold the opinion that if you are able to stand up for the little guy, then it is your obligation to do so. This happens so much even in our society today especially in the area of bullying. These suitors where bullying Telemachos and his mother and I believe that the crowd should have stood up for Telemachos and his family.
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