They argued that Odysseus did not know this fact, and he was not intending to break in, he was just following laws from his homeland. This argument not only disoriented the prosecution, but also demonstrated the weakness of their position. In addition, the defense brilliantly laid out their case, claiming self-defense to explain Odysseus’s behavior towards the suitors and the maids. In the defense argument, they said, “The suitors overstayed their welcome”, this shows how the suitors violated Xenia by being cruel and uncouth to the hosts. They were rude to Penelope by displaying no mercy for her missing husband and also plotted to kill Telemachus. Not only this, but they were extremely rude to Odysseus when he was disguised as a beggar. The defense was able to make it very clear that Odysseus and his family felt incredibly disrespected, and felt revenge was necessary. Odysseus, who was ‘the man of the house’ was forced to protect his family and home, which exemplified how it was not a murder spree, but self-defense. Odysseus is not the offender in this situation. The ruthless suitors, unloyal maids, and the man-eating cyclops were the real
![majortests.com](http://patterns.studymode.com/1.11/dist/images/logos/major-tests/logo-major-tests-large.png)