Mnemosyne — Classical Greek Myth Library

Phemius son of Terpius sings under compulsion for the suitors in Odysseus’s hall—Penelope hears his songs of the Achaeans’ bitter return and weeps. When the slaughter fills the megaron, Phemius hesitates between fleeing to the altar of Zeus Herkeios and clasping Odysseus’s knees. He chooses the knees: he swears he sang only under force, never willingly for the suitors’ pleasure. Telemachus confirms it and begs his father to spare both the singer and the herald Medon. Odysseus yields. Phemius is told to take his lyre outside and play for the false wedding-dance that will mask the killing from the town. The spared bard marks the *Odyssey*’s limit of revenge: art under duress is not guest-abuse, and song will serve the restored house rather than the usurpers.