A series of thoughts around Antinous
This was actually inspired by an amazing mention by @lady-of-the-upside-down which you can find here
Have you all noticed how Antinous had made himself de facto the leader of the suitors of Penelope and yet he was arguably one of the least favored among them both socially or other?
He was not the richest or the one favored for the part of the husband of Penelope (Eurymachus seem to be preferred for it even by Penelope's father Icarius)
He was not the most preferred by Penelope (Penelope seemed to like Amphinomous more than all the other suitors because of his diplomatic nature and his generally meeker ways)
He was not someone connected to Odysseus's expedition (Eurynomus the son of Aegiptius was the brother of one of the men at Odysseus's ship that lost his life to Polyphemus)
His family was not necessarily honorable in the eyes of society in general and the palace in particular (His father had joined the Taphian pirates against the Thesprotians that were the allies of Ithaca and ran a fugitive at Odysseus's feet and Odysseus saved him)
Everything about Antinous seems to make us wonder how on earth he managed to succeed as a de facto leader even if he seems that nothing about him gives off that vibe. He was not the favorite choice of the council or Icarius for the hand of Penelope, he didn't exceed everyone in wealth and he was not preferred by Penelope (on the contrary) and yet we hear by her own lips that "he was said to exceed everyone in Ithaca of his years in his mind and his words" (σέ φασιν ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης μεθ᾽ ὁμήλικας ἔμμεν ἄριστον βουλῇ καὶ μύθοισι) and he has gained first place on the table of the suitors. And yet
He is the most confrontational both at the eyes of the household and Telemachus himself whom he relentlessly pounds with his irony and words
He is the most violent in regards to his plans for he is one of those that wishes the strongest to kill Telemachus
He is arguably almost always drunk or at least severely inebriated (he makes several remarks in regards to wine, most of the time he is depicted drinking and he even dies at the moment he tries to take a drink)
He is the one who argues the strongest and tries to be seen and heard
What if Antinous had to truly claw himself up to society after his father's betrayal? What if his own attempts to become "the best" came from the fact that he was a subject of mockery himself at his youth? What if him drinking exceedingly hid some sort of previous trauma response or coping mechanism? What if his zeal to be heard or become a leader for the name of his own glory has this deep root behind it?
What if his obsession with Telemachus was partially because of his jealousy of Telemachus' father's name and glory?
Telemachus was a child of a famous father. Odysseus was known and loved despite the fact that he had a reputation for indirect methods. As opposed to Antinous's father Eupeithes who became a traitor and failed and had to throw himself at Odysseus's mercy. Telemachus had a mother of a known line, of a known name despite the fact that she too used indirect methods to keep them at bay.
Telemachus is everything that Antinous seems to be; an heir to the throne of a known and loved kingdom, he is the son of honorable parents known in their society and strongly tied with power and the gods' favor. Telemachus is young, vigorous and strong possibly good at sports and words himself
Antinous seems to have struggled to be the best as a young man (he even speaks at how highly he thinks of Odysseus even if he has barely met him as a child) and he speaks very highly on the virtues of Penelope. He seems to try his best to be pious to the gods (when he suggest they should offer a sacrifice to Apollo before trying again with their challenge) despite the fact he stumbles many of their laws.
THIS is why he so much desires to break Telemachus or destroy him! THIS is why he antagonizes him when Telemachus finally speaks. If Telemachus proves himself better than him at speech and council then Antinous would lose a powerful paper against him. If Telemachus succeeded gaining the love and attention of the Ithacans then he would lose the popularity he so hard struggled to gain. If Telemachus becomes a man he is going to lose the last chance he has to become the king of Ithaca! This is why he absolutely has to get Telemachus out of the way if he cannot intimidate him to submission.
Telemachus stands in his way of achieving elevation for his name and an escape out of his own family's shame that seems to fall upon him
Antinous could potentially be the bully that was a result of bullying.
By the way help us fight misinformation by reblogging the Lines Spoken By Antinous so that we can get it out of the way once and for all!