An Eye for Eye Makes the Whole World Blind?

In Book 22  of the Odyssey Odysseus -- with the help of Athena and Telemachus -- exacts his revenge on the suitors, killing them all, as well as his disloyal servants and maids.  Yet, after Odysseus and Penelope are reuinited the book does not end.  Odysseus and Telemachus retreat to the countryside to fight the kin of the slaughtered suitors who are themelves seeking vengeance.  Only with the intervention of Athena is a bloodbath averted.  What is the ending of the story telling us about the value of vengeance?  Is is necessary to restore order but dangerious?  Is it a foolish and counterproductive practice?  Does it make the whole world blind or is it the only way to establish a just society?

Is the Slaughter Justified?

In Book 22 Odysseus with the aid of his son and loyal servants slaughters all the suitors (despite the pleas of mercy from some of them), all the maids, and even the priest Leodes. Are these killings justified? Could he have punished them without killing them? Could he have driven them from the house. Are some of the killings justified, but others not? What about the people they spared (Phemius and Medon) -- what was Telemachus' reasoning? Was it wise or prudent to kill them all?

She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

In Book 19, Penelope shares an intimate moment with her guest, Odysseus disguised as a beggar. From the things they discuss is there any hint that Penelope suspects the beggar is her long lost husband? Does Odysseus think she may suspect him? Why doesn't he openly reveal his identity? Does he still doubt her fidelity, her loyalty or her love?