Antinous of Ithaca in The Odyssey: The cruel suitor
What is the pivotal role played by the scheming character of Antinous in The Odyssey, the epic ascribed to Homer? How does it all play into mythology?
Image: Ulysses' revenge on Penelope's suitors by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg | Public Domain
There’s growing excitement about acclaimed director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming historical epic, The Odyssey. This big-screen adaptation of the identically-titled Ancient Greek poem stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, a warrior-king returning home after fighting in the Trojan War.
Like the Trojan War itself, the events described in the verse, supposedly penned by Ancient Greek poet Homer, are generally regarded as fictitious. There is, though, some tantalising archaeological evidence that something like the Trojan War did happen.
Other aspects of the poem, possibly written around the 8th or 7th century BC, may also have been inspired by actual history. One case in point is Antinous of Ithaca, played by Robert Pattinson in the upcoming film. What’s the mythology behind Antinous in The Odyssey? Here’s the Sky HISTORY lowdown.
Who is Antinous of Ithaca?
For a start, what is Ithaca? In Greek mythology, Ithaca is the island where Odysseus reigns as king. There, he has made his home with his wife Penelope and their son Telemachus.
The story of the Trojan War is told in the Iliad, another epic poem attributed to Homer. The war allegedly lasted for a decade of the 12th century BC, but Odysseus takes another decade to finally get back home. It’s a very long wait for Penelope – so much so that young men eventually start turning up at her door…
These bachelors are intent on wooing Penelope, knowing that the one who wins her hand will gain enviable power and property. Not that these 108 suitors (yes, there are that many of them) leave the most positive impression on her. The most insufferable of them all is Antinous, a wealthy (and politically ambitious) Ithacan nobleman who makes no attempt to hide his rude, obnoxious ways.
Antinous carves out his villainous role
Despite the boorish suitors’ efforts, Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway in the film) remains loyal to Odysseus. To keep the suitors at bay, she tells them she will choose her new groom after she finishes weaving a shawl for her husband’s father. Secretly, though, she unravels the undone shawl every night.
The frustrated Antinous goes as far as calling her out for her cunning attempts to drag her feet on the question of who to marry. He is similarly disparaging towards Telemachus – not just because the latter (played by Tom Holland in the film) admonishes Antinous for his needling behaviour.
As the rightful heir to the Ithacan king’s throne, this boy poses a major threat to the political ambitions Antinous holds dear. So, after Telemachus leaves the house in search of news about his wayward father, Antinous seizes his chance. He sends a band of men out on a dual mission to intercept Telemachus and kill him in cold blood.
Antinous of Ithaca gets his comeuppance
The sinister ploy to eliminate Telemachus doesn’t pull off. One reason why is that Telemachus has an actual goddess on his side. It’s Athena, the goddess of wisdom, warfare and handicraft, who helps him to sidestep the trap. (Aptly, Holland’s real-life partner Zendaya portrays her in the film.)
Antinous also violates ‘Xenia’ – the Ancient Greek principle that guests at people’s homes treat their hosts with respect. Instead, Antinous stubbornly outstays his welcome at the Ithacan royal residence while consuming the household’s livestock, much to Penelope’s consternation.
At one point, an old beggar arrives at the house seeking hospitality. Antinous throws a footstool at the man, only for it to harmlessly bounce off him, like bullets ricocheting off Superman. What’s going on? Turns out the elderly man was actually Odysseus in disguise, with Athena having worked her magic once again. Odysseus proceeds to kill Antinous by firing an arrow through his throat.
The thematic relevance of Antinous in The Odyssey
The story of Antinous in The Odyssey turns the poem into a moral fable. By grasping for power at the expense of honour, he sows the seeds of his own downfall. In attempting to kill a political rival and assaulting who he assumes to be a defenceless beggar, Antinous shows his true, despicable colours.
So, it’s undoubtedly satisfying that his devious plans are foiled by godly intervention. Now, Robert Pattinson steps into the shoes of the OG villain we ‘love to hate’. In early screenshots released of Pattinson as Antinous in The Odyssey, the Twilight star shows a brooding intensity just right for the role.
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