Love

Odyssey Book 24 line 491-494 Barry B Powell
Odyssey Book 24 line 495-498 Barry B Powell

Odysseus and Penelope

Odysseus made the leap out of love for his family, his household (Oikos) and his kingdom (Polis). Love was his motive, but in the current Odyssey the leap is hidden in book 24 which is now coming to an end.

The flashing-eyed Athena said to Odysseus: "Son of Laërtes, nourished by Zeus, recourceful Odysseus- cease! Stop this quarrel of leveling war, or Zeus, the son of Kronos, whose voice is heard from a long ways off, will grow angry..

This phrase can not be placed after Odysseus' leap. So, this phrase must take place before the leap.

"So spoke Athena, and he believed her, and he rejoiced in his heart. Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus who carries the goatskin fetish, appearing in the likeness of Mentor in form and voice, drew solemn oaths for all time from both parties.

Odysseus and Laërtes

Odysseus and Telemachos

Mentor now makes the deal. It must have been something like this: Telemachos is to be the undisputed ruler over Ithaca.
The kin of the suitors must stop their pursue and take their losses. Odysseus is to be flung of the rocks as the Pharmakos and misfit.
If Odysseus survives his fall down the leap, he is brought beyond the border and is ordered never to return to the Kefallenian islands.

This is the end of the current Odyssey, but should it not be better if the Odyssey ends with the wrongly placed phrase?