μερμήριξε
A type scene in which two options are pondered appears numerous times in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, and this verb is a signal of that traditional scene (see also Arend 1933:106–115 for this type scene). Some of these type scenes involve ambush, as here: Odysseus ponders several times how to ambush and slaughter the suitors (Odyssey 16.237, 16.256, 16.261, 19.2 = 19.52, 20.10, 20.28, 20.38, 20.41), while Phemios ponders during that ambush whether to try to escape or to supplicate Odysseus (Odyssey 22.333). Aegisthus is also “pondering hideous things” (ἀεικέα μερμηρίζων, Odyssey 4.533) when he plans his ambush of Agamemnon. In addition, although these episodes are not strictly ambush themes, we find such “pondering” involved prior to plans to deceive, such as Zeus’ sending the deceptive dream to Agamemnon (Iliad 2.3), Hera’s seduction of Zeus (Iliad 14.159), Penelope’s “trick” (dolos) against the suitors (Odyssey 2.93, Odyssey 24.128), and Odysseus’ deception of his father about his identity (Odyssey 24.235).