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Part One

Time Fortune and Love declare that Human Frailty will never be able to escape their power.

Ulysses has been absent from this homeland for 20 years: ten years at war, then ten years lost at sea.

At home, Penelope calls for Ulysses, her husband, to return.Ìý 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.Ìý He sees a vision of Minerva, and resolves to disguise himself so that he can travel unrecognised as he attempts to regain his home.

Melantho urges Penelope to give up the memory of Ulysses and marry one of her many suitors.Ìý Remaining watchful for his return, Penelope refuses.

Eumaeus cares for Ulysses’ sheep.Ìý He is mocked by Irus, a parasite, who attempts to steal them.Ìý Eumaeus mourns the loss of Ulysses and the destruction of his lands.Ìý Ulysses, unrecognised by Eumaeus, swears that Ulysses still lives.

Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, returns home traumatised by the war.Ìý Eumaeus goes to tell Penelope of he son’s return, while father and son are reunited.

Ìý

Part Two

Melantho and Eurymachus struggle with Penelope’s refusal to love again.Ìý Penelope’s suitors, Amphinomus, Peisander and Antinous, continue their attempts to woo Penelope.Ìý They are interrupted by Eumaeus who tells them of Telemachus’ return and that Ulysses is alive.Ìý Hearing this, the suitors fear for their lives. ÌýThey 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.Ìý 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).Ìý Enraged, Ulysses fights with Irus and almost reveals himself.Ìý The suitors try again to woo Penelope, offering her extravagant gifts of gold.Ìý Penelope announces that she will chose as her husband the man who can string Ulysses’ bow.Ìý Amphinomus, Peisander and Antinous each fail.Ìý Ulysses strings the bow and slaughters the suitors.

Irus laments the massacre, as it means he has lost his source of food.Ìý He decides to chat hunger by killing himself.

Penelope refuses to accept everyone’s declaration that the stranger is her husband.Ìý He describes the bed that they used to share.Ìý Penelope finally accepts the stranger is Ulysses, and for the first time in 20 years husband and wife set eyes on one another.