Odysseus has been gone for years. The thrown of Ithaca is open and the beautiful Penelope is unwed. The only thing holding Penelope back from finding her new partner, is her hope that Odysseus will return from his journey. Odysseus is obviously dead, in the suitors eyes, but Penelope still feels in her heart that he will return. All of the suitors returned from Troy years, and years ago. The only blood member of Odysseus's family left is his son, Telemachus.
   The suitors have been in Ithaca for years, all trying to claim the thrown, and be king. They treat the land likes its their own, and they have no regard to the other citizens. Telemachus has grown from boy to man, but he doesn't show disapproval of the suitor's actions. Telemachus just announced that he will leave on a odyssey to find his father. In the suitor's eyes, there is no chance of him returning with news of Odysseus being alive. When he returns with news of Odysseus's death, one of the suitors will be able to get control of Ithaca.
   Odysseus and Mantethemus fought together in Troy. They both had a mutual hate for one another, but they also had a respect. They fought in harmony, but the day the war was over, they split ways with no desire to see one another again. Now, Mantethemus was trying to gain rule of Odysseus's home country. Mantethemus always knew that if he had a battle with Odysseus, he would lose miserably. So, when he learned of his death, Mantethemus immediately left for Ithaca.
   With Telemachus gone, it opens up an even bigger opportunity for Mantethemus to gain rule of Ithaca. All of the suitors have been trying to impress Penelope, with gifts and lies. Many of the suitors have been secretly involving themselves in activities that would be punishable, including Mantethmus. But, there is just no one to overpower the suitors and take control..