"the difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” meaning

There is a difference between the right word and the almost right word.

This is because both the words depict different meanings in the given context. The words cannot be replaced unless the meaning needs to be changed.

Similarly, lightning bug and lighting is different.

The use of these words cannot be done in the context of the other. This will change the whole meaning and purpose of the scenario in which it is used.

in my opinion i think it was not excessive at all. the maids turned against the queen in his absence, how could he ever trust them again? if he let them go they would surely spread the news of the suitor's deaths, which is much too risky. as for the suitors, they were selfish, rude, and greedy. the god's had apparently marked them for death, meaning odysseus made their death come faster.