´óÏó´«Ã½

Part One

Time, Fortune and Love declare that Human Frailty will never be
able to escape their power.
Ulysses has been absent from his homeland for 20 years: ten
years at war, then ten years lost at sea.
At home, Penelope calls for Ulysses, her husband, to
return. Meanwhile her attendant, Melantho, is frustrated that,
until Penelope chooses a new husband, her own passion for
Eurymachus cannot be legitimate.
On a beach, Ulysses learns that he has finally arrived back in
his homeland. He sees a vision of Minerva, and resolves to disguise
himself so that he can travel unrecognized as he attempts to regain
his home.
Melantho urges Penelope to give up the memory of Ulysses and
marry one of her many suitors. Remaining watchful for his return,
Penelope refuses.
Eumaeus cares for Ulysses’ sheep. He is mocked by Irus, a
parasite, who attempts to steal them. Eumaeus mourns the loss of
Ulysses and the destruction of his lands. Ulysses, unrecognized by
Eumaeus, swears that Ulysses still lives.
Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, returns home traumatized by the war.
Eumaeus goes to tell Penelope of her son`s return, while father and


Part Two

Melantho and Eurymachus struggle with Penelope’s refusal to love
again. Penelope’s suitors, Amphinomus, Peisander and Antinous,
continue their attempts to woo Penelope. They are interrupted by
Eumaeus who tells them of Telemachus’ return and that Ulysses is
alive. Hearing this, the suitors fear for their lives. They plot to kill
Telemachus and win over Penelope, with gold if not with love.
Ulysses, once more in disguise, forms a plan to reclaim his home.
Telemachus tells his mother, Penelope, about Helen of Troy’s
awesome power. He claims that Helen told him Ulysses will one
day return.
The suitors bully Eumaeus and the stranger he has brought
with him (the disguised Ulysses). Enraged, Ulysses fights with Irus
and almost reveals himself. The suitors try again to woo Penelope,
offering her extravagant gifts of gold. Penelope announces that
she will choose as her husband the man who can string Ulysses’
bow. Amphinomus, Peisander and Antinous each fail. Ulysses
strings the bow and slaughters the suitors.
Irus laments the massacre, as it means he has lost his source
of food. He decides to cheat hunger by killing himself.
Penelope refuses to accept everyone`s declarations that the
stranger is her husband. He describes the bed they used to share.
Penelope finally accepts the stranger is Ulysses, and for the first
time in 20 years husband and wife set eyes on one another.

With thanks to the Roundhouse Theatre & Royal Opera House