Original subtitles

You look suddenly transformed, Penelope.

Such a gracious face! What has made you so attractive?

You are lying.

He praises your beauty, my queen. Why would he lie? We all admire you.

My beauty went away along with my husband.

So why would we be here, Penelope?

Not for me.

(Athena had made her more handsome, and taller...)

Silence, comrades!

Penelope will speak, quiet!

(...whiter than sawn ivory.)

Custom in Ithaca, when a nobleman wants to marry...

...is to bring his own wedding gifts, not plunder the lady's wealth.

Is this some new trick? Another way to save time?

We believe you no more. Soon you'll see how bold we are.

Wedding gifts, you'll get this very evening...

...but be sure we won't leave until you make your choice.

(Even more handsome and majestic, the goddess had made her...)

Comrades, tomorrow Penelope will chose the new king.

(...whiter than sawn ivory...)

For now, let's enjoy the queen's hospitality.

(...but Athena didn't let Penelope recognize her husband.)

( ...yet he had just crossed the threshold...)

(...he was watching every detail, joy and pain collided in his heart...)

I will stop here.

Better they don't see you with me.

The lords know my loyalty, so they enjoy putting me down.

I don't want them to insult you, because you are with me.

Argos!

(It was Argos indeed, a dog Odysseus had raised himself...)

(...but he had no time to train him for hunting.)

You remember me?...

Is it true? After twenty years, you remember?

(Argos had the time to recognize his master, before dying...)

Why are you here, old man? Where have you been?

I bet you rather beg your bread than work for it.

(With his back arched, Odysseus entered the room as an old beggar...)

(With his back arched, Odysseus entered the room as an old beggar...)

(...walking with a stick, and dressed in rags.)

Euryclea! Give some bread to the beggar...

...if he wants more, bring him a loaf, he may eat as much as he likes.

- Telemachus sends you this. - Let Zeus protect him, thank you .

(The suitors were banqueting in the court room...)

(...and Athena inspired Odysseus to pick up the remains of every suitor...)

(...to see for himself who among them was just and who was not...)

(...although all were promised to death...)

- Give me some leftovers, some bread, Sir

Who is he?

- Please, have mercy. - Who can he be? I never saw him before...

( ...they all looked very young...)

(...Odysseus watched them one by one, youngsters oblivious of their sin...)

(...and wondered if any would escape his revenge.)

- Give something to a poor old man. - Get away!

Telemachus, are we short of beggars? Did we really need more?

And you complain that your wealth wastes away!

Thank you, Eurymachus for your concern...

...but do not mind. You may feed him with my permission.

Get away!

Have mercy, please. Thank you. Let Zeus reward you, my lords.

You give me some bread, you have the looks of a gentleman...

Who is rich can give more. That's justice in my land of Crete...

...do you know the island of Minos?

Before, I used to be powerful and wealthy like you...

...I had estates, servants and cattle...

...but one day Zeus reduced me to this ...

...misfortune was bound to me...

...I had nine sturdy ships, bound to Egypt for trade...

...but as soon as we landed, my men plundered the fields...

...they robbed, they killed, and I paid for their deeds.

This man has paid for all... so we must pay for him!

You are Antinous, a lord with a heart of stone...

...keeping all for himself, giving nothing away...

...not a pinch of salt, nor a piece of bread, yet reveling on the wealth of others.

(Telemachus felt pain for his humiliated father...)

(...but he shed no tears..)

(..and watched in silence, thinking about revenge...).

It's one thing to be hit when fighting, another to be hungry...

...the Gods will make you pay for what you just have done.

Shut up and get away, or I shall throw you out.

A stranger has just come...

Last night, I had a dream : twenty geese were pecking...

...when an eagle descended from the top of the hills...

He is not a beggar, he comes from far away...

...the eagle broke their neck, one after the other...what is this sign?

Penelope, why not ask the stranger who just came?

Irus is also here, how fun watching two dogs on the same bone!

(Irus was a popular beggar, a notorious glutton and drunkard...)

(Arnaeus was his real name, which his mother gave him at birth...)

(...but his nickname was Irus...)

Who is this one? Taking my given place in front of me!

Get lost at once, you wretched, or we will come to blows!

Irus! Be brave! Get us rid of him! Defend yourself! Throw him out!

Hear them? Run while you can, before I break your bones.

What wrong I have done to you?

I am one of your kind, taking what I'm given. There is enough for both...

Nonsense, you lousy fool! Here is enough for me only!

Haven't you heard? Clear off, or you will spit your teeth.

Do not challenge me....

Gentlemen, get ready for the show!

Come on, entertain us!

Here is the reward! The winner takes this, the loser gets out.

I shall fight because of hunger, but swear you don't hit me in the back.

Enough talk, hurry up! Let's move to the outer court!

Begin fighting, you clowns!

(Odysseus girded up his old rags, about his loins...)

(..thus baring his stalwart thighs, his broad shoulders and chest..)

(...and his mighty arms..)

(...Athena came up to him, and made his limbs even stronger still...)

(...and his muscles even more supple ...

(Odysseus struck Irus below the ear and broke his bone...)

(...blood gushed out of his mouth...)

(...he fell groaning in the dust...)

(...gnashing his teeth, and kicking on the ground.)

(Odysseus had pity to Irus, and told him quietly:...)

(...sit here now, keep the dogs and the pigs off...)

(...you are not the king of beggars, a miserable remains miserable...)

This is yours.

And now friends, let's all go back to our homes!

The queen wants bridal gifts...

...tonight, each will send his own, let's not keep her waiting...

...she seems so impatient to make her choice.

- You fought bravely. - Thank you

...You are Amphinomus, the son of Nisus, right? I knew your father once...

...but listen to an old man's advice, my son...

...there is nothing more unfortunate than man:

...unaware is he who believes fields will always be green...

...ignoring that all can change overnight.

These lords, for example...

...they behave just as if no punishment would come.

Well, you don't say, you fool!

The beggar plays the prophet! - Leave this court, don't get back...

- Come, my mistress wants to speak with you. - Now?

Yes now. The queen would like to see you.

No, not now. Later, after dusk.

Antinous...Leocrites...Eurymachus!

Come on, quick! Come!

Even at night, you are here to bother?

Get away! Or I'll take care of you...

- Sit, I want to talk to you. - To sit with you?

...my queen, I'm only a poor beggar. - Rich and poor are equal at my home...

Take a seat.

I am a beggar. Let me stay at my place.

Who are you? How did you get here?

Why do you resist? Does shyness make you mute?

Talk to me. Hardships read on your face.

You'll be respected in this house. I know about pain. I suffer too.

(Odysseus strived to restrain his tears...)

(For all these years, he endured so many ordeals to find his land...)

(...his son...his wife...)

(...and there he was, in front of her...)

(...an could not do or say anything...)

(...because it was not time yet...)

Fear nothing, stranger. I just want to know who you are..

If I tell you, my queen, you will think I'm liar, or a drunkard...

...actually, you do not care about me, but about your husband.

I saw Odysseus. I really did...

...with an army, when he left for Troy, that was long ago...

If you saw Odysseus, give me some proof. What do you remember?

Twenty years is such a long time...

...but I remember...

...he wore a mantle of red wool...

...and on his mantle was a golden brooch...

...which showed a hound holding a spotted fawn in his paws....

The fawn struggled to escape...

...I had sewn this mantle myself.

Stranger, how do you know this?

Who are you?

...but you are... - I am Aeton, and I was born in Cnossos...

But you are...

...Odysseus! - My father was Deucalion...

...and his ancestors descended from Minos, offspring of the great Zeus...

...my brother Idomeneus went to Troy, and was one of few survivors to return...

If you are Odysseus, why are you still lying?

Your fame makes you a superior woman.

Odysseus!

I want you to stay at the court.

I'll order a bed for you.

Euryclea! Take good care of our guest.

...he is not a beggar. He is Aeton from Cnossos,

...he used to be king once...

He is the same age as your master...

...but suffering makes you look older.

- You know, you remind me of the master I once lost...

...same looks, same voice... -I know, I have been told before.

- My beloved master, mourned by your old nurse...

...where can you be now?

...maybe in such a house...

...begging for a crust of bread, humiliated, offended...

...servants are treating him ill like they did with you you here...

(She recognized the scar done to Odysseus by a wild boar while he was very young...)

...Odysseus! Odysseus, my master!

...and I did not recognize you. You were in front of me...

Say nothing! Don't betray me!

If you did, I would have no mercy, even for you!

You sound so cautious and wise, stranger, give me some advice.

Tell me.

You saw that my home was full of young lords who want to marry me...

...my son seems impatient to get rid of me.

...what should I do? - Wait...

Odysseus shall return, and he will do justice.

No.

Tomorrow, I will have all these young suitors compete...

...the first one strong enough to stretch the bow...

...which Odysseus left me...

...and sends the arrow through twelve hollow axes...

...will become my husband.

(Father and son were hiding their weapons...)

(...when a ray of light showed them the way...)

(...before Telemachus could talk, Odysseus said:)

(Ask no questions, my son and trust the Gods.)

(The night went by, and Penelope was anxious...)

(...looking at her wedding bed.)

Artemis, daughter of Zeus, shoot me with an arrow...

...or let the wind and the storm carry me away.

Let me die, Artemis!

(Odysseus guessed what she thought to herself...)

(he believed, now his faithful wife had recognized him...)

(...that she was by his side.)

He lies awake, unfortunate amongst mortals...

...now a stranger in his own home...

(Dawn slowly came after night...)

Since the Gods have seen fit to bring me home...

...father Zeus, let someone in my home give a shout...

...or let me have a sign of some kind from outside...

One woman stays at the mill, the others have ground their task...

...frail and old, she can hardly finish work...

...and thus she speaks : - Thunder, and not a single cloud...

...you sent someone a sign, Zeus almighty....

...grant the prayer of a servant...

...let the suitors dine for the last time in the house of Odysseus...

...they have worn out my back grinding this flour...

- Clear the tables with sponges, quick! The lords are almost here.

Hurry up! They will eat even more, today is a holiday.

Euryclea, how did you serve our guest?

Poorly, but I'm not to blame...

...he wanted no bed, and slept in a blanket...

...we gave him a bull hide to cover himself...

(Eumaeus arrived at the court...)

(...just like Euryclea and Telemachus, he could not yet call Odysseus by his name.)

- Who is the stockman? - Philoetius, you knew him...

...as a small child, don't you remember? - He grew up!

(Odysseus was feeling lonely, his mind was tormented...)

(...loneliness and sadness and doubt were in his soul...)

(...contriving the wicked lords was such a risky endeavor...)

(...with only his son and the swineherd standing by his side...)

(...but soon Athena, the clear eyed goddess, stood again in front of him...)

Why are you doubting? Others would be content...

...with the help of even weaker allies...

...and you don't trust me, while I always rescue you in danger...

Beautiful beast!

Good day, old man. Torments have wrinkled your forehead.

Philoetius!

The stranger is no beggar, he used to be a brave warrior...

Same fate that may have befallen my master...

...he might also go about, dressed such in rags ...

...if he is still alive.

- Have you known your master? - I don't remember him...

Of course, he was so young when Odysseus trusted him a flock...

...but indeed, he could have not chosen better.

Philoetius bred the cattle like no one else.

Good.

I have trust in you...

...and will tell you a secret...

...your master Odysseus will soon reappear.

- When will he return? - Not so loud.

Tell me, Philoetius. If he returned, what would you do?

What I would do?

My master would need these arms. You should see what I would do!

(As every morning, the suitors came to the court...)

(...as they ordered, the fattest sheep and pigs had been sacrificed...)

(...and many oxen too. The inwards were cooked first)

(...meat was roasted, bread partaken, and wine poured into cups...)

(...the lords rushed on the food. The feast began in joy...)

(Odysseus was watching silently...)

(...but bitterness and desire for revenge were growing in his heart)

(He stood up, pushed by Athena, aggravating the lords)

(...he triggered their insults to make his wrath deeper...)

(One of the suitors soon responded...)

(He was Ctesippus, a proud and fierce lord from Samos...)

The guest has received his due share. What a good example!

Telemachus honors him at his table.

...I will treat him with a piece of meat myself...

...some choice cut that will feed him both for today and for tomorrow ...

(Thus he spoke, and threw a bull's hoof...)

(Odysseus avoided it by turning his head, smiling grimly...)

(The crowd remained speechless...)

(...but of all creatures on earth, none can be as vile as man...)

(...and they all roared with laughter, Athena obscured their minds...)

(...their mouths reveled on bloody flesh...)

(...but their eyes were filled with tears...)

(...the whole palace eerily echoed their laughter.)

(The prophet Theocymenus heard them, and made them this omen...)

You wretched fools!

You should cry instead!

Can't you see the shadow floating over your heads?

Are your eyes completely covered with darkness?

I see the walls dripping with blood!

I see... the courtyard full of ghosts...

...trooping down into the night of hell, forever.

The sun is blotted out. The blighting gloom of death is over all.

Another madman!

Hurry him up to the doorstep, so his stupid talk burdens us no more!

Telemachus can chose his guests : a madman and a beggar!

Listen Telemachus, I have some good idea:

...why not board them both on a ship and sell them as slaves?

For sure they'd be bought fast and cheap!

Your jokes are worthless, and I only take advice from my mother the queen....

...I will hear no more sarcasms. I know you long to kill me...

...well keep on dreaming. I just won't tolerate my guests being insulted.

I am grown up, Eurymachus you will know.

I forgot about this insolent youth. Pity that Zeus has not helped us...

...Telemachus speaks loud and sharp....

...these are mere words though, thus pay no heed!

(You had warned them, Theoclymenus...)

(...you gave them a chance to save themselves...)

(...but they remained deaf, enjoying the abundant meal..)

(...and the delicious foods they were served...)

(...yet they will now be served another meal...)

(...by the goddess and the hero...)

(...and allotted quite different seats...)

(Night was falling...)

(Athena had awaited the moment, inspiring Penelope...)

(...to offer the suitors the bow contest...).

(...a mighty weapon, given long ago to Odysseus by a guest...)

(How eagerly Odysseus would draw it in his youth...)

(But now, Penelope saw him tired and untimely aged...)

(...and thought he was singled out facing his enemies...)

The queen!

(Everyone knew instantly she was about to speak crucial words...)

My lords!

I will offer you a contest...

...who shall string this bow this bow with the strength of his arms...

...and send his arrow through each one of twelve axes...

...that man I will marry.

He may take me away from the house of my youth...

...and thus will become the king of Ithaca.

Eumaeus!

Swineherd, bring it to me!

Come on, lords, take the bow! The reward sits right here:

...the most noble in the lands of the Greek.

But you know this all well! What need to praise my mother?

Zeus must have confused my mind!

My mother says she will follow another, yet I am laughing...

...and amusing myself!

I will compete as well.

If I can string and shoot, thus my mother remains in this palace...

...instead of quitting with one of you, she will stay with her son, the winner...

(As he spoke, Telemachus tugged at the bow with his youthful hands...)

(...and hade to leave it off...)

Your arm is strong enough, you try, Antinous!

(In the mean time, Odysseus was hammering the axes..)

(Each was pierced in the head, above the blade...)

(...he aligned the iron so that the hollows made a straight line...)