Chapter 18
The Beggar's Fight and Royal Gifts
THE FIGHT WITH IRUS—ULYSSES WARNS AMPHINOMUS—PENELOPE GETS PRESENTS FROM THE SUITORS—THE BRAZIERS—ULYSSES REBUKES EURYMACHUS. Now there came a certain common tramp who used to go begging all over the city of Ithaca, and was notorious as an incorrigible glutton and drunkard. This man had no strength nor stay in him, but he was a great hulking fellow to look at; his real name, the one his mother gave him, was Arnaeus, but the young men of the place called him Irus, because he used to run errands for any one who would send him. As soon as he came he…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Response Strategy
Think of a recent situation where someone challenged or provoked you - at work, at home, or online. Write down what happened, how you actually responded, and what your real goal was in that situation. Then design three different response strategies: minimal response, measured response, and maximum response. Which would have best served your actual goal?
Consider:
- •Consider who was watching and how your response affected your reputation
- •Think about whether the person provoking you had anything real to gain or lose
- •Ask yourself if this was really about the surface issue or something deeper
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you responded to conflict with exactly the right amount of force - not too little, not too much. What helped you calibrate that response? How did it feel different from times when you under-reacted or over-reacted?
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