Question

Reread lines 28–41. Eumaeus still does not know that he is speaking to Odysseus in disguise. This is known as dramatic irony—a plot device in which the reader knows more than the character knows. Dramatic irony can create suspense (a feeling of tension or excitement) as the reader anticipates what might happen. What event does this speech cause you to anticipate?

Answer 1

Answer:

This event makes us anticipate the future scenes of when Odysseus will reveal his identity to everyone and judge the maids and even the others for their actions during his absence.

Explanation:

In Chapter XVII of the text of "The Odyssey", we see Odysseus (in disguise as a beggar) and Eumaeus, the swineherd, approaching the palace of Odysseus. The lines 28-41 is when Eumaeus talks about the dog Argos that Odysseus had himself taken into his care before his journey out of Ithaca.

The dramatic irony in this scene is that Eumaeus is talking about the good old days of his master Odysseus. Even the dog was "swift and strong.  He never shrank from any savage thing". But now, with his master gone, "misery has him in leash" and no one is there to take care of him. Even the maids ignore him, for their master is nowhere to judge them, "for without a master  they have no will to labor, or excel". This speech makes us anticipate the next scenes when Odysseus will reveal his true identity and reprimand and judge everyone for their actions during his absence.