Why are the other men at the table fearful when antinous their leader and speaker hits the beggar with the stool?

The other men at the table are fearful when Antinous strikes the beggar with the stool because they recognize that such an act of violence could provoke serious consequences. They understand that the beggar may not be an ordinary man, given his mysterious demeanor and the potential for divine retribution, especially in a context where respect for the gods and the less fortunate is crucial. Additionally, they fear the repercussions of antagonizing a figure who could be connected to Odysseus, whose return they dread. Their apprehension reflects a broader tension between maintaining their dominance and the uncertainty of their actions.