I
The Odyssey Homer Translated lv Robert Fitzç’erald
PART 1 FAR FROM HOME “I Am Odysseus”
Odysseus is in the banquet hail of Alcinous (l-sin’o-s, King of Phaeacia (fë-a’sha), who helps him on his way after all his comrades have been killed and his last vessel de stroyed. Odysseus tells the story of his adventures thus far.
‘I am Laertes’ son, Odysseus. [aertes Ia Men hold me formidable for guile in peace and war: this fame has gone abroad to the sky’s rim. My home is on the peaked sea-mark of Ithaca 4 Ithaca ith’. k) ,in island oft under Mount Neion’s wind-blown robe of leaves, the west e ast it C reece. in sight of other islands—Dulichium, Same, wooded Zacynthus—Ithaca being most lofty in that coastal sea, and northwest, while the rest lie east and south. A rocky isle, but good for a boy’s training; I(I
488 An Epic Poem I shall not see on earth a place more dear, though I have been detained long by Calypso,’ 12. Calypso k1ip’sö). loveliest among goddesses, who held me in her smooth caves, to be her heart’s delight, as Circe of Aeaea, the enchantress, 15 15. Circe (sür’së) of Aeaea e’e-). desired me, and detained me in her hail. But in my heart I never gave consent. Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass his OWfl home and his parents? In far lands he shall not, though he find a house of gold. 20 What of my sailing, then, from Troy? What of those years of rough adventure, weathered under Zeus? 22. Zeus jzs): king of the gods. The wind that carried west from Ilion 2,3. Ilion fl’ë-Onl: Troy. brought me to Ismarus, on the far shore, a strongpoint on the coast of the Cicones. 25 25. Cicones si-kö’nëz).
I stormed that place and killed the men who fought. [under we took, and we enslaved the women, to make division, equal shares to all— hut on the spot I told them: ‘Back, and quickly! Out to sea again!’ My men were mutinous, 30 tools, on stores of wine. Sheep after sheep they butchered by the surf, and shambling cattle, teasting—while fugitives went inland, running to call to arms the main force of Cicones. This was an army, trained to fight on horseback 35 or, where the ground required, on foot. They came with dawn over that terrain like the leaves md blades of spring. So doom appeared to us, dark word of Zeus for us, our evil days. My men stood up and made a fight of it— 40 hacked on the ships, with lances kept in play,
Irom bright morning through the blaze of noon holding our beach, although so far outnumbered; hut when the sun passed toward unyoking time, then the Achaeans,° one by one, gave way. 45 45. Achaeans -k’nz): Greeks Six benches were left empty in every ship Odysseus’ men). hat evening when we pulled away from death. \nd this new grief we bore with us to sea: or precious lives we had, but not our friends. No ship made sail next day until some shipmate so tad raised a cry, three times, for each poor ghost infleshed by the Cicones on that field.
The Odyssey 489
490
a
letting
I Then until We The
took worn cracked a
hut The of
then Now
unshipped
might
fresh
storm
squall
saw
as bows
An
me
two
a Lotus-Eaters
Zeus
out
we
I
the
gale
third
have
came
and against death Epic
out moved
put
long
and
went
the
steersmen
the
drove
lashed
Dawn
to
made up
Poem
round
in
days
oars,
lord
sea,
the
plunging
down
our
that
me at
it
came out
of
and
ships,
and
and
Malea
masts,
heart,
safely
on,
and
fury,
cloud
like
strips
nights
from
pulled
at
with
past
the
and
night
dropped
the
hauled
tasting
home,
the
roused
in
the
breeze
Cythera.
driving
ringlets
we current
for
gust;
the
on
I north
lay
the
that
sail,
our
in
the
big
land
take
sails
offshore
veils
the
nearest
shining.
grief,
time,
yards,
and
wind.
and
over.
north
rested,
sea. lee: ssind - lee: pIft.c sheltered from the Nine days I drifted on the teeming sea before dangerous high winds. Upon the tenth 70 we came to the coastline of the Lotus-Eaters, who live upon that flower. We landed there to take on water. All ships’ companies mustered alongside for the midday meal. Then I sent out two picked men and a runner 75 to learn what race of men that land sustained. They fell in, soon enough, with Lotus-Eaters, who showed no will to do us harm, only offering the sweet Lotus to our friends— hut those who ate this honeyed plant, the Lotus, so never cared to report, nor to return: they longed to stay forever, browsing on / that native bloom, forgetful of their homeland. I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches, and called the rest: ‘All hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home.’ Filing in to their places by the rowlocks my oarsmen dipped their long oars in the surf, 90 and we moved out again on our seafaring.
/f/*
I
The Odyssey 491
492
he, of
and
in
perfectly
he holy
we
of
Maron, and
as
We
to a
so
who
slept
to
knowing
earthfast
towering
and at
inside yawning As
dealing
indifferent
but Cyclopes
no wine
wild
nor
to
In The
In
shaggy
brandy,
Maron’s
that
stand
tor
huge, graze
gave
one
his
the
showed
ignorance the
consultation
we
beached
then
went
each
many
sow
grove
eat
An
in
wheat
grapes,
myself
Cyclops
a
wife
end
rowed immortal
sweet
next
had
louts,
me
out
this
good sheepfold—made
afield—remote
by
he
Epic
mountain
formed,
this
by
above
none
one
between
oak
ahead.
have
pure
rams
at
household
of
to
him
and
seven
and given
seemed
rough
hand,
and
land
there,
cave
I
in
Ismarus;
liquor
leaving
liquor—twelve
Poem
dwells
on,
trees.
wheaten
the
without
what
took
but
and
no
the
keep
clusters,
the
there,
and
harley—grows
or
I
gods,
a
we
and
hay,
me.
shining
had
nor
A tall
justice
muster
and
savage
solid
old
reared
water,
fiery.
the
my
no
storeroom
that
goats
found
prodigious’
in
watch
the
nearer
knew
He
till
a
and
trunks
for we
a
they
I bread;
man
tribal
his
others
from
twelve
goatskin
and
law
silver
told
Euanthes’
ripen
fruitage
Not
to
kept
golden
kindness
from
ways, the
saw and
in
about
screened
showed
own
were
neither
over
this
at
wife
took
to
to
solitude.
two-handled
the
ways,
all
but of
ground,
a
no
do.
a
winebowl,
mistress
all
Apollo’s
in
best
untended,
slabs
the bless
slave
mountain
pine
a
cavern
companions,
drink;
man
the
Cyclopes,°
crew
the
talents°
full
and
heaven’s of
he
meeting,
his
of
brute
his
son,
mainland,
with
plow
fighters
the
place
those
seemed
ship;
of
them,
and
flocks
child,
though
wife
only
stone
knew;
earth
laurel,
rugged
and
jars
cave
rain.
and
rather
grain—
in
child,
mystery
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
cient
prophecy,
125. 122.
tic.
110.
of
form
92.
one
talent:
Apollo
Greece.
prodigious
Cyclopes
of
eyed
Cyclops
and
a
-pOl’):
(,iants.
unit
medicine.
lpra-dij’.s.
si-klö’pzI.
of
sI’-klOps),
money
god
of
gigan
plural
music
in a
race
an I and they would put one cupful—ruby-colored, honey-smooth—in twenty more of water, hut still the sweet scent hovered like a fume >verthe winebowl. No man turned away when cups of this came round. A wineskin full 135
I brought along, and victuals in a bag, br in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon us soon—all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility.
We climbed, then, briskly to the cave. But Cyclops 140 had gone afield, to pasture his fat sheep, so we looked round at everything inside: a drying rack that sagged with cheeses, pens urowded with lambs and kids, each in its class: birstlings apart from middlings, and the ‘dewdrops,’ 145 ur newborn lambkins, penned apart from both. And vessels full of whey were brimming there— howls of earthenware and pails for milking. \4y men came pressing round me, pleading: ‘Why not take these cheeses, get them stowed, come hack, 1.50 throw open all the pens, and make a run for it? We’ll drive the kids and lambs aboard, We say put out again on good salt water!’ Ah, how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished to see the cave man, what he had to offer— 155 no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends.
We lit a fire, burnt an offering, and took some cheese to eat; then sat in silence around the embers, waiting. When he came he had a load of dry boughs on his shoulder 160 to stoke his fire at suppertime. He dumped it with a great crash into that hollow cave, nd we all scattered fast to the far wall. then over the broad cavern floor he ushered he ewes he meant to milk. He left his rams md he-goats in the yard outside, and swung high overhead a slab of solid rock to close the cave. Two dozen four-wheeled wagons,
The Odyssey 493
494
of
But
Or
We
What
like
Strangers,’ heaping
When and
cooling
sieved
and
he over
thickened the
with
that
are
made
felt
all
tonnage
dice,
poured
milked
An
the
heaving
brings
all
you
out
deep
the
pressure
until
Epic on
doorsill.
of
and
these his
.
same the
wandering
brushwood.
he
the
it,
his
rum
of
you
1
he
wagon
ravage
milk,
said, giving
curds
that
chores
whey
bleating
drank
ble
on
I
here
Next
spoke
our
‘who
rock
and
then,
other to
teams,
each
to
by
rogues,
were
it
he
drip
In
hearts,
stand ewes.
that
UI)
from
seaways—
for
are
into
the
took
ewe
folk
II]
done,
could
in
his
you?
iii
who
glare
where
in
A
reply:
curds
withy
in
ightv her
by
his
supper.
practiced
howls
dread
he
not
And
sea?’
cast
suckling;
a
seat
he
and
man
fair
he
poked
baskets,
have
saw
where
your
wedged
traffic?
whey,
lob
us.
stirred
the
from
yes
fire,
it
171)
7S
slcnilcr
I
7’
withy
twigs
with’e):
midi it We are from Troy, Achaeans, blown off course y shifting gales on the Great South Sea; omeward bound, but taking routes and ways incommon; so the will of Zeus would have it. 190 Ve served under Agamemnon, son of Atreus— 9 Agamemnon g’-mem’non’ ‘he whole world knows what city Creek king who led the Creek’, ,igjinst the 1roJans. ie laid waste, what armies he destroyed. t was our luck to come here; here we stand, )eholden for your help, or any gifts ou give as custom is to honor strangers. Ve would entreat you, great Sir, have a care i)r the gods’ courtesy; Zeus will avenge he unoffending guest.’ Fle answered this om his brute chest, unmoved: ‘You are a ninny, Jr else you come from the other end of nowhere, oiling me, mind the gods! We Cyclopes are not a whistle for your thundering Zeus Jr all the gods in bliss; we have more force by far would not let you go for fear of Zeus
on or your friends unless I had a whim to. [eli me, where was it, now, you left your ship
iround the potn t, or down the shore, I wDnder?’
496
Here There
if
And
rounded
reset and
another
to
his and
putting
lit
When
So
move
we
when along
holds and
My
then
with powerless, everything:
but We gaping
Then
and
to but
Neither
We
A
broke
Poseidon and
He
but
let
up
wind
we
beat
chores
penshed
whisked
milked
cried
heart
Cyclops
now drawing thought
are
in
caught
are
answered
the
An
lay
manflesh
Athena
his
the
was
the
his sudden his
he
the
were
it
one
and
the
their
brace
survivors,
his
the
from
Epic
stone reply
down
up
sheep
I dismembered
aloud,
ponderous
flank
world,
beat
liver.
young
a
being
pondered
Lord,
looking
stride
sucklmgs
crunching
his
flock
left two
innards,
din
on
means
there
he’d
away
went
the
brains
Poem
fear
seaward
granted
of
nor
high
with
as
like
and
handsome
go
the
to
I
to
of
all
lifting
in
who
the sharp
Dawn
men
had
to
one
find
he
stayed
as
stab
on
through—but
pity these
groan
his
whistling
his
on
rocks
I
great
a
dispatched,
now
out,
a
higher
how
doorway
Cyclops
flesh,
clutched
thought
well,
mast
touched
to
sets
filling
would
ready
out
what great
to
like
at
served
sword
hands
him
came
our
them
with
the
good
spattering
and
at
make
gulps
this,
me:
to
at
ewes,
the
for
and
a
but
among
ground,
hands
the
where
door
I
lie:
hurt
your
mothers.
up
mountain
as
cap
fingertips
wait and from
prayed
built
would
like
from
if
slab
him,
men
at
we
earth
the
appalled;
I
marrowbones.
of
his
‘My
chance
he
the his
1
all
saw
he,
my
a
slab
him
killed
land’s
made
could
whey.
to
squirming
spot
for
aside.
his
quiver.
the
caught him,
a
breakfast,
and
drove
my
belly
Cyclops the
then
in
ship?
a-tremble,
behind.
serve
Zeus,
companions
for. fire
through
Then.
morning.
worst.
sheep.
due
midnif
hip
of
lion—
of
1.’
floor.
him
his
never
end.
stillness.
us
action,
rose
my
order,
I
meal,
there.
went
puppies
this,
turn:
14%
.iaiø
244)
11%
no
its 110
wisdom. 147
240
the
ill.
Aihas
hCJ
bract
Fwida
and
pair
a-the’naF
at
carthquakn
pO-si’dan)
grnldcus
mid
of
‘1
i I A club, or staff, lay there along the fold— an olive tree, felled green and left to season br Cyclops’ hand. And it was like a mast a lugger of twenty oars, broad in the beam — a deep-sea-going craft—might carry: so long, SO big around, it seemed. Now I chopped out a six-foot section of this pole 255 and set it down before my men, who scraped it; and when they had it smooth, I hewed again to make a stake with pointed end. I held this in the fire’s heart and turned it, toughening it, then hid it, well back in the cavern, under 260 one of the dung piles in profusion there. Now came the time to toss for it: who ventured along with me? whose hand could bear to thrust and grind that spike in Cyclops’ eye, when mild sleep had mastered him? As luck would have it, 26,5 the men I would have chosen won the toss— four strong men, and I made five as captain.
At evening came the shepherd with his flock, his woolly flock. The rams as well, this time, entered the cave: by some sheepherding whim— 270 or a god’s bidding—none were left outside. Re hefted his great boulder into place and sat him down to milk the bleating ewes in proper order, put the lambs to suck, and swiftly ran through all his evening chores. 275 Then he caught two more men and feasted on them. My moment was at hand, and I went forward holding an ivy howl of my dark drink, looking up, saying: ‘Cyclops, try some wine. Here’s liquor to wash down your scraps of men. 280 Taste it, and see the king of drink we carried under our planks. I meant it for an offering if you would help us home. But you are mad, unbearable, a bloody monster! After this, will any other traveler come to see you?’ 285
F-feseized and drained the howl, and it went down so fiery and smooth he called for more:
The Odyssey 497 ‘Give me another, thank you kindly. Tell me, how are OU called? I’ll make a gift will please you. Even Cyclopes know the wine grapes grow out of grassland and loam in heaven’s rain, but here’s a hit of nectar and amhrosia!’ ,‘92. nectar and ambrosia am bi’zha): drink and fo)d of thc 1yn godS Three howls I brought him, and he poured them down. I saw the fuddle and flush come over him, then I sang out in cordial tones: ‘Cyclops, you ask my honorable name? Remember the gift you promised me, and I shall tell you. My name is Nohbdy: mother, hither, and friends, everyone calls me Nohhdy.’ And he said:
‘Nohhdy’s my meat, then, after I eat his friends. Others come firSt. There’s a noble gift, flow.’
A” yen as he spoke, he reeledand tumbled backward, is great head lolling to one side; and sleep .ek him like any creature. Drunk, hiccuping, ic dribbled streams of liquor and bits of men. 4th iow, by the gods, I drove my big hand spike eep in the embers, charring it again, adcheered my men along with battle talk keep their eouiage up: no quitting now. Ihe pike of olive, green though it had been, no ‘ddenedand glowedas if about to catch. drew it from the coals and my four fellows aveme a hand. luggingit near the Cyclops s more than natural forcenerved them; straight irwaid they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it lii seepin his crater eve, and I leaned on it urning it as a shipwright turns a dnll i planking, having men below to swing ne two handled strap that spins it in the groove. o with our brand we boredthat great eye socket hile blood ran out around the red hot bar. velid and lash were seared; the piercedball ussed broiling,and the roots popped In a smithy sees a white hot axhead or an adz lungedand wrung in a cold tub, screechingsteam he way they make soft iron hale and hard: 1st so that eyeball hissed around the spike. 1he Cyclops bellowedand the iock toared round him, id we tell back in fear.Clawing his face e tuggedthe bloodyspike out of his eye. no nrew it away, and his wild hands went groping; nen he set up a howl for Cyclopes vho lived in caves on windy peaks nearby someheard him; and they came by divers ways us dines di%1.na’ v.rnuui o clump around outside and call: ‘Whatails you, lb olyphemus? Why do you cry so sore Ho Pelyphema 1’.’ip° rc’m4 ii the starry night? Youwill not let us sleep. uw no man’s driving oft your flock? No man as tricked you, ruined you?’ Out of the cave ie mammoth Polyphemus roared in answer
Theodyssey 499 50() and the hut the the When Blinded, where pulled and So, the cords The in So to then I fleeces, death until reasoning I and for But hoping fumbled Now given To to they Poseidon ‘Nohbdy, there ‘Ah tied drew sheepskin ride see three giant’s any breathing master rams this woolliest my peals hung I squatted well, Cyclops’ slung An trailed a kept Cyclops, of them in by [)awn sat dams how up on there trick somehow men silly a rough and willow your sheep Epic to began great of dark myself there Lord, tight, if Nohhdy’s as all thinking blind stroked a like wrench silently nobody bleating away. with riding sick came— beast spread safely, a man ringlets my hard, in ram, rams lonely Poem shout man violet. Zeus. wheezing could to huge; to with from a the hands under wits, with udders I charm under stir, whom or And the each might on we were away out will shielded together, how and has breach tricked echoed they bed, Three Let convey for lingers man the how the choicest waited pain and moving blundering his I her played ram, each it for an handsome, full as the to it was you ogre’s the we he made pectoral who could pleased ran he kinky with abreast win from fingertips iron dear the me, round twisted left such each name called are twining great then filled middle pray.’ until your for through you bolted— of pain bed; a the Nohbdy’s grip. arms and we life, no his belly, sage man. a the never pasture, me let the deceived doorstone So with father, for fleece foul morning. fool. use game: fat, slip deep came head right. one of it flock, saying thrown well. reply: pens a tactics, I in with pass, rose away? found. laughter milking. took wound, on ruined pain them. heavy him, wide me!’ .165 chest. .77, pectoral pëk’trI: un the Last of them all my ram, the leader, came, weighted by wool and me with my meditations. The Cyclops patted him, and then he said:
Sweet cousin ram, why lag behind the rest in the night cave? You never linger so, hut graze before them all, and go afar to crop sweet grass, and take your stately way leading along the streams. until at evening you run to he the first one in the fold. Why, now, so far behind? Can you be grieving uver your Master’s eye? That carrion rogue K9. carrion kãr’ë-n) rogue: rot ten scoundrel. and his accurst companions burnt it out .390 when he had conquered all my wits with wine. Nohbdy will not get out alive, I swear. Oh, had you brain and voice to tell where he may he now, dodging all my fury! Bashed by this hand and bashed on this rock wall his brains would strew the floor, and I should have rest from the outrage Nohbdy worked upon me,’ He sent us into the open, then. Close by, I dropped and rolled clear of the ram’s belly, going this way and that to untie the men. 400 With many glances back, we rounded up his fat, stiff-legged sheep to take aboard, and drove them down to where the good ship lay. We saw, as we came near, our fellows’ faces shining; then we saw them turn to grief 405 tallying those who had not fled from death. I hushed them, jerking head and eyebrows up, and in a low voice told them: ‘Load this herd; move fast, and put the ship’s head toward the breakers.’ They all pitched in at loading, then embarked .no and struck their oars into the sea. Far out, as far offshore as shouted words would carry, I sent a few back to the adversary:
‘0 Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions? Puny, am 1. in a cave man’s hands? 415 How do you like the beating that we gave you, you damned cannibal? Eater of guests under your roof! Zeus and the gods have paid you!’
The blind thing in his doubled fury broke a hilltop in his hands and heaved it after us. 420 Ahead of our black prow it struck and sank whelmed in a spuming geyser, a giant wave that washed the ship stern foremost hack to shore. I got the longest boathook out and stood fending us off, with furious nods to all to put their backs into a racing stroke— row, row, or perish. So the long oars bent kicking the foam stemward, making head until we drew away, and twice as far. Now when I cupped my hands I heard the crew in low voices protesting: ‘Godsake, Captain! Why bait the beast again? Let him alone!’
‘That tidal wave he made on the first throw all but beached us.’ ‘All but stove us in!’
502 An Epic Poem ‘Give him our bearing with your trumpeting, 4’5 he’ll get the range and lob a boulder.’ ‘Aye! He’ll smash our timbers and our heads together!’
I would not heed them in my glorying spirit, but let my anger flare and yelled: ‘Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire 440 how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca!’
At this he gave a mighty sob and rumbled:
‘Now comes the weird° upon me, spoken of old. 445 445. weird: fate or destiny A wizard, grand and wondrous, lived here—Telemus, a son of Eurymus; great length of days he had in wizardry among the Cyclopes, and these things he foretold for time to come: my great eye lost, and at Odysseus’ hands, 450 Always I had in mind some giant, armed in giant force, would come against me here. but this, but you — small, pitiful and twiggy — you put me down with wine, you blinded me. Come back, Odysseus, and I’ll treat you well, 455 praying the god of earthquake° to befriend you — 456. god of earthquake: Poseidon. his son I am, for he by his avowal fathered me, and, if he will, he may heal me of this black wound—he and no other of all the happy gods or mortal men.’ 460
Few words I shouted in reply to him:
‘If I could take your life I would and take your time away, and hurl you down to hell! The god of earthquake could not heal you there!’
At this he stretched his hands out in his darkness 465 toward the sky of stars, and prayed Poseidon:
‘0 hear me, lord, blue girdler of the islands, if I am thine indeed, and thou art father:
The Odyssey 503
504
So
having
oarsmen
and
to
When
touched
we
till
and we
destruction
Now
who
to
by only
the
Then
to
and
We
our
the as
and to
But
to and
Now
In
under
far
Let among
intend who grant
see
man
we
Zeus
make
the
we
went
after made bear
let
these
tiling
prize
death
he
beached
trim
troubled
waded
An
him
his
it
whelming
rules
wheeled
my
all
moved
the
kept
we
he
our
ran
it
that
tell
seaside
that
strange
the
that
the us
his
beyond
day
Epic in
home:
sunset
to
fly
division,
fighters
our
ships
laid words
of
lose
in
unloaded
young
for
the
precious
in
short,
onward
his
ships,
line
sleep
in,
Odysseus,
for
day,
family
world, all,
in
to
long
he
her,
out,
feast
we
friends l’oern
those
hands
around,
all
world.
and
ourselves, hail
sit
the
sail
drawn
my
Laertcs’
dipped
in
should
shall
he
the
and
Dawn
saw
above
grinding
voted companions,
Just
cast
until
sad
beside
share
the
on
hlackprowed
I burnt
in
prayed,
ships
toward
to
on
all
lives,
who
stormcloud,
upon
rose
roused
who
dark
see
But
the
aft
his in
mutton
hitter
off up
titanic
gathering
raider
Ithaca,
the
oars
go
the
with
that
the
son,
and
the
sailed
giant
he
the
his
the
his
side squadron
on
Zeus
the
fatherland,
but
waited,
a
the
to
keel
Cyclops’
the
and
sun
wash
the
in
bigger
days
had
my
vast
share
I
the
fingertips
of
long
roof
steering
mc.
rowlocks
for
mooring
not
Should
by
and
years
mean,
the
and
island. above
disdained
them,
in
the
cities,
went
men,
dark ram.
in
Cronus’
sandy
the
vessel’s
side,
offing,
at
of
I
again
our
thighhones
looking
the
gray
sweet
alike,
stone
slew
return
store
waiting,
god
flock
between.
home.’
ripples.
cast,
There
down
the
gave
destiny
oar,
friends.
my
soft
never
and
lines;
(if
beach.
sea.
heard
him
wine,
stone
son,
track.
my
rose
companions.
seaward.
sand,
orders
all
offering:
him.
.i’,s
4S()
I
47S
470
‘7
I
I //_ —.‘,-— .
,,
‘4% 4 FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION
I. Odysseus begins his narrative when he and his men set sail from Troy. What does the epi sode of the Cicones reveal about Odysseus and his men? 2. Almost all of the adventures in the Ody.s sev illustrate some aspect of Odysseus’ char acter. What specific characteristics are re Q vealed in the episode of the Lotus-Eaters? 3. The land of the Lotus-Eaters has been said
to symbolize escapi.rn — that is, withdrawal fri m reality into a dream world. 1)o y(in agree? If you do, point out lines that suppi rt your view. If you do not, give reasons for your opinion. 4. Why does Odysseus consider the (yclopes barbarians? 5. 1—lospitality to strangers is a theme that recurs throughout the ()dv,s’L’v. The ancient Greeks believed that the gods themselves sometimes came to earth disguised as humble strangers. How does the Cyclops respond to Odysseus’ plea for hospitality? 6. Twice in the Cyclops episode Odysseus brings misfortune upon himself and his men by ignoring their good advice Identify both instances and tell why Odysseus acts as he does. 7. Odysseus devises a plan that enables him and his men to escape from the Cyclops cave and to prevent anyone coming to the Cyclops’ aid. What is each stage of the plan? 8. What aspects of Odysseus’ character are revealed in the incident with the Cyclops? 9. Reread the Cyclops’ prayer to Poseidon (lines 467 476 What lines suggest that Odys seus will have to face other trials? How does this foreshadowing add to the suspense of the poem?
The (hi vssev 5P5
506
or
weaving
with
Circe
so
addressed
The
more
letting
They
So a
sent and
But to
I and
her
As
his
dead,
warns
sail
ever, Odysseus’
s)
crews
the
gods,
the The
race Aeolus’
bag
After (‘a-las),
bottling
Odysseus
made
canvasbe1lying
know
let
In
get
we
Circe
tells
men
way
all
soon
crew
for
on
spell,
our
by
An
island
of
of
than
foresaw
me
scrambled
to
the
where
Sirens
Aeolus
nine
aboard
made
devoured.
him
the
in
cannibals,
straight
the Ithaca,
the
winds,
a
what
Epic
him
eyes
like
return island.
up
what
an
tell spoke,
being god
them,
haunting
line
Odysseus
one
land
wind men
and
days’
first
singing of
unfavorable
of
fast
offshore
the
a
what
her
Poem and
open,.
drives
for
death
of
the
dipped
Circe
Odysseus
man,
great
Aeaea,
his
now
and
for into
to
rays
Realizing
sore
of
and
Dawn
to
ghost
the
Odysseus’
sail,
the
us
forecast:
breeze,
cast
all
dangers
Ithaca.
he
their
the
crew
song
if
the
we
and
them
swine.
goddess
or
their
spends
silent braces, has
steersman
Circe
at
the
breeze
winds,
oars
with
we
must
off
where
of
mounted
ship.
two,
heart:
baffle
winds
Laestrygonians
shared
places ships
over
predicted.
returns
arrive
a
are
the
at
away.
that
ships
then
Odysseus
that
in
before
left
lusty
Ithaca
with
After
own
do
and
a
blew
should
the
roused
up
who
going
the
‘Dear
blind
the
if
year
the
hut
and
me,
to
their
lie
by
work
with
we
next
we
the
stern.
we
ship
sunhright
are
shipmate briefly
her
Circe
gray
sea
to
me,
reach
in
one
helps
goddess
ahead,
the
sending
die
with
to
friends,
prophet
taking
can.
know
up
rested,
island.
our
sight,
golden
voyage
sails blown
me,
at
escapes
the
die,
sea.
I
are
rowlocks
releases
the
to
home.
the
Sirens
liking—
her.
them
(ls’tri-gö’në.anz),
ship.
and
destroyed
those
to
Circe’s
hair. the
them
men
Circe
Tiresias
throne,
straight
island
is
the
and
He
Odysseus
men
Before homeward
cursed
his
things
a
longs,
land
proceeds
island.
transforms
fair
men
of
untie
and
(tTr’s
back
setting
breeze. Aeolus
by
of
how
from
their
tells
She
the
the
the
by
in
to
to
a
Is nymph . .
.
hair: Cir’ alone rect all you and we while the take arne lulled I
.ind each briskly,
amidships, a no and as thick the
I 1rom
rhen
md
ff
rather
carried
massive
we
sweet
are
long
their
wind
if two are
sent
took rolled
more
in
along
Helios:
over should all
on
our
I
the came
to
shout
to
place, dwelt
to
task, Sweet Holds ‘This
Pleased As Sirens, From
point. at
wax
the
their with
for
shun,
themselves
good
swell.
Our cake No tie turns Who Like Moor Achaea’s
all
them
furl
the
back
once
all
smartly
the
white listen
along for me and
the
lord
way, on
lonely they her
clover;
ears.
clear
coupled the
green the
mast,
made
ship
honey
The of she
noting
lies
of by
and
strange in to
the
a
this
up,
sea,
beg
throat beeswax
of
world
burning
sail,
the
my poised to foam oh
each the
said, They the
a-pining?
made
of
crew
within
wind
be
seafarer mirror. high
again tight lashed ready,
part
yet
to their as
twining
turn
entering our rope
hands airs
mast,
and
line,
merry.
island
purling
be
and though and
scudding
allows—
tied
she were
noon.
the time,
of
fell,
as
fast
into to heat
song. your we
untied,
hailing
to and stow
to
and
the
my their
lashed a
until urged
rowing.
me
smooth
muffle
and
of the sing.
ship on
splint,
bits
bound
they came
note
Coing
some
bows,
forecast
laid
throat,
Therefore
it;
Sirens.
up,
their by.
green
mast,
a
they distance,
that
then.
to
calm
sang:
it
then,
me.’
Soon, down I
oar
power
outward
the
forward
carved
feet
softened—
I shore
blades
mast,
plumb
down S4U 565 545.
Helios
h’Ië-OsTh
The
Odyssey
the
sun
god
507
Charmed
No Argos’
Dark
All
As
Graybeard
Sea
Hid
On
In
Wounds
Coeth
Voyaging
from
life
feats
rovers
the
days
Troy
from
old
on
long
our
more
on
out
earth
soldiery the
you
and here
ç.
beach
our
onward,
that
song
warfare,
of
bright
learned.
rower-boy
bore
dreaming.’
take
time
can
great
teeming,
of
there,
Troy
be
joy
gods
we
field
see.
willed,
575
cient
%oldlcrs
Troian
77
Argus’
(,reece,
War
tron
old
Argos,
who
soldiery:
mnught
a
city
the
in
in
the an The
made got hut and dropped So dwindled
rested then the
Untie
all
to
they
wax
passed
lovely
set
me
rowed
his
on
me’
under
that
me
bent
crave
away.
their
feet,
voices
more
to
free.
on,
I
steady
the
had the
he
oars
to My
until
line
in
and
listen,
crew,
sea
laid
faithful
now,
ardor
to
about,
the Eurylochus,°
rim,
thick
the
jerking
and
peeling
Sirens
appealing
and
company
oars.
to
I
on
tried
hold
their
my
their
Then
off
brows;
to
me
over
singing
f”,-.1
ears;
say
Perimedes°
still.
the
/
water 85. 586. Perimedes Eurylochus
The pêr’-rne’dèzi. y-riI’-ksI.
Odvsey
509
Circe has warned Odysseus ot another sea peril. He and his crew must pass between Scylla sil’) and Charybdis (ko-rIh’dis). Scylla is a terrifying monster with six heads. She dwells in a high rocky cave, devouring sailors in ships that pass close by. Charybdis is a whirlpool. Three times a day she swallows the sea, then vomits it up fiery hot. Circe has advised Odysseus to sail toward Scylla’s crag, for it is bet ter to lose six of his men one to each of her heads — than for all to perish in the whirlpool.
But scarcely had that island faded in blue air than I saw smoke and white water, with sound of waves in tumult— a sound the men heard, and it terrified them. Oars flew from their hands; the blades went knocking wild alongside till the ship lost way, with no uarblades to drive her through the water
Well. I walked up and down from bow to stern, trying to put heart into them, standing over every oarsman, saying gently, ‘Friends, have we never been in danger before this? More fearsome is it now, than when the Cyclops penned us in his cave? What power he had! Did I not keep my nerve, and use my wits to find a way (lot [or us?
Now I say by hook or crook this peril too shall be something that we remember Heads tip, lads! We must obey the orders as I give them, Get the oarshafts in your hands, and lay hack hard on your benches; hit these breaking seas. Zeus help us pull away before we founder. You at the tiller, listen, and take in all that I say—the rudders are your duty; ,i -s keep her out of the combers and the smoke; steer for that headland; watch the drift, or we fetch up in the smother, and you drown us.’
510 An Epic Poem That They
But told bidding to so two
to upon the could torment
roll
I the
as
monster
tied
them heavy
was
would
that
I
I
foredeck—thinking for
catch
against
sent
Ofl
for
all,
cover
nothing,
cliffside
spears,
my
my
have
of
them
and
sight
the
arms
cuirass
under friends.
dropped
it
then
on
veiled
of as gray
brought
had
her.
toward they
the
made
and
I rock,
slipped
strained in
their
decking. to
could
took
cloud, them
see
my
Scylla,
harboring
oars
her
my
do
way
up
my round
hut
Circe’s
nothing.
again,
1
first
mind,
along eyes
nowhere
to
from
in
action.
panic,
there,
620
625
6.0
625.
OW
chest
cuirass
and
kwi-rãs’:
hack
The
Odyssey
armor
for
511
:
$ And all this time, in travail, sobbing, gaining on the current, we rowed into the strait—Scylla to port and on our starboard beam Charybdis, dire gorge° of the salt-sea tide. By heaven! when she 65 (-S. gorge: devouring mouth. vomited, all the sea was like a caidron seething over intense fire, when the mixture suddenly heaves and rises. The shot spume soared to the landside heights, and fell like rain.
But when she swallowed the sea water down 6.1(1 we saw the funnel ot the maelstrom, heard 64 maelstrom mil’s1r.,m violent the rock bellowing all around, and dark sand raged on the bottom far below, My men all blanched against the gloom, our eyes were fixed upon that yawning mouth in fear 64S of being devoured. Then Scylla made her strike, whisking six of my best men from the ship. I happened to glance aft at ship and oarsmen and caught sight of their arms and legs, dangling high overhead. Voices came down to me in anguish, calling my name for the last time,
A man surf-casting on a point of rock for bass or mackerel, whipping his long rod to drop the sinker and the bait far out, will hook a fish and rip it from the surface to dangle wriggling through the air: SO these were borne aloft in spasms toward the cliff.
She ate them as they shrieked there, in her den, in the dire grapple, reaching still for me— and deathly pity ran me through at that sight — far the worst I ever suffered, questing the passes of the strange sea. We rowed on. The Rocks were now behind; Charybdis, too, and Scylla dropped astern. - -
512 An Epic Poem The Odysseus (thrin-ã’sha, the of In insist that had where touched so to shrouded blew I our or the To Helms; who day we As to they hunger when with whatever to So that wore Slipping to mustered disaster the cover we just keep pray a god’s long one this had cattle stores gone in, shone cherishes sheltered
Cattle one from would angling on their pay small all nymphs as day day and drove a my the the the as in cattle, landing. away, down might land Dawn the month here urges fell dearly are if heaven, out all a bread bellies out—south gods I fighters no not men windy hours the the grotto,
of withdrew hooks, barley them in into the and spot, these in are man had to I for show touch
the with cattle island his the struck in of for and up, Odysseus the crew their thin. not sea of their and both world, chairs onshore solitude, to nodded. out a avoids in it ship’s heifers for and
Sun exhausted the good first fingertips me sea in the scour for Fierce are the The clouds of winds, to setting, and across of Circe fishes hands; a appease third some cave of our we the dusk the cattle.
God harmed. the red ship night hold, his makes storms said: and gales, Yes. rock the for the dragged and interior provision, driven sun driving wine and or the watch, eye.’ and way of a of was these hope crew ‘Old wild food of god But But south giant their and Tiresias rose evening blowing island god. seaf them continued. storm; lean remained gone, of by is now shipmates, in and shore our sanded when gale. sheep: owl, to salvation. craving, wind The by the Zeus days swear ship drink; bypass have east. end, stars men, floors. not warned Thrinacia however, to touch him 665 670 675 655 (M) 695 The Odyssey 513 I washed my hands there, and made supplication to the gods who OWfl O1ympus, all the gods— (7. Olympus -lim’p.ish Mount but they, for answer, only closed my eyes Olympus, believed to be the home ot the gods. under slow drops of sleep. Now on the shore Eurylochus made his insidious plea: ‘Comrades,’ he said, 7(x) ‘You’ve gone through everything; listen to what I say. All deaths are hateful to us, mortal wretches, but famine is the most pitiful, the worst end that a man can come to. Will you fight it? Come, we’ll cut out the noblest of these cattle 705 for sacrifice to the gods who own the sky; and once at home, in the old country of Ithaca, if ever that day comes— we’ll build a costly temple and adorn it with every beauty for the Lord of Noon. 7 () 710. Lord o Noon: Helios. But if he flares up over his heifers lost, wishing our ship destroyed, and if the gods make cause with him, why, then I say: Better open your lungs to a big sea once for all than waste to skin and hones on a lonely island!’ 715
.1
..,
w.
514 An Epic Poem Thus
were Now, trooping They having and around with Then, performed and to with
and they grief left
odors had
wrap me
flayed I
when I
spitted took
grazing strips clear
Eurylochus;
went plucked caught
that
of
as
no
their in
in
burnt away
they hold
the barley a
day
spring the
each
double down
of
rush,
the
chosen
sight near,
meat,
the
had bones
at prayers
tranquil fat of
carcass,
carved once
meal—to
water, the
and
me, my
leaves eddied
folds
no of and
were
beasts
were our seaward
wine,
eyes
they
and and
to
soon
cattle meat.
of
cutting
broiling
that
round
around black
laid
burnt
fat.
ritual, I
opened, strew
in murmured
they cried
the lust
shone
with
ceremony.
upon path.
These hull,
up
men thighbones
and
the me;
made
the
then
knifed aloud:
heifers.
broad No
the
on
tripes than entrails
offerings,
victims,
drew
my
Aye!’
libation0
a sooner
fire.
the
tall
brows savory
slumber
up
shared,
free
kine°
first;
oak— 725 720 73() 735 wine 27 23. libation: kine: or other cattle ritual liquid.
The
Odyssey pouring ol 515 ‘0 Father Zeus and gods in bliss forever, you made me sleep away this day of mischief! 0 cruel drowsing, in the evil hour! Here they sat, and a great work they contrived.’
Lampetia in her long gown meanwhile 74() 74fl Lampetia I5mpe’sh.i: a had borne swift word to the Overlord of Noon: They have killed your kine. And the Lord Helios burst into angry speech amid the immortals:
‘0 Father Zeus and gods in bliss forever, punish Odysseus’ men! So overweening, 745 now they have killed my peaceful kine, my joy at morning when I climbed the sky of stars, and evening, when I bore westward from heaven. Restitution or penalty they shall pay— and pay in full—or I go down forever 750 to light the dead men in the underworld.’
Then Zeus who drives the stormcloud made reply:
‘Peace, Helios: shine on among the gods, shine over mortals in the fields of grain. Let me throw down one whitehot bolt, and make splinters of their ship in the winedark sea.’
—Calypso later told me of this exchange, as she declared that Hermes” had told her. 75H Hermes hiir’me,’ the flies ‘,enger ut the g ds
Well, when I reached the sea cave and the ship, I faced each man, and had it out; hut where could any remedy be found? There was none. The silken beeves of Helios were dead. The gods, moreover, made queer signs appear: cowhides began to crawl, and beef, both raw and roasted, lowed like kine upon the spits. 765
Now six full days my gallant crew could feast upon the prime beef they had marked for slaughter from Helios’ herd; and Zeus, the son of Cronus, 768, Cronus (kr’itsI a Titan who added one fine morning, ruled the universe beture Zeus,
516 An Epic Poem above we showed had when We the to along struck both showered
as a and They With the so hashing like split homeward dropped, the rawhide tore mast riding A Eloated seen uff twist straight
tossed There,
md
bolt
make
backstay
the
that
launched
Scylla
held island
mast
ceased, god
all
in petrels
and
forestays,
her,
the
and crack
came
Zeus the
of
the
against
brave the
whining
me,
the
as
the
she free;
anywhere,
had
the
for
the for our
rope, aft
worst
and
had
keel
ship’s
into
keel ship, the
mountain
coastline
frightful
sunrise,
for
men
and Cronion
bucked, blown on
up
floated
Charybdis.
the
skull my
turned
knife—taking the on soul course,
again,
a
hit
whirlpool
the
and
from
these, the
together.
crack
round
and
southeast
of
while
from
I the
open
hulk
length,
mast, were
sprang the
fled
in,
ship, it:
out,
bilge. I
but
dangling
the storm. stepping sure
his waves.
faded,
ribs, in used
piled
but
and
for of
no the steersman
knocking
until sea.
the
gloom
the
flung
too,
reeking
only
and
All face mast
a
On
thunder,
All so
These drank
for now
enough, sweet
briefly.
Charybdis and
west,
direct
this
wreck, gale
Astern body,
Nor a
and
No
the me
a
that
broke
the with
the
into thunderhead the
from
sea
from the
spread
comber
came
the
the
for
came
more
had
north running
no the day fumes
I
with
him
afterdeck
gales
hit, great
and
night
like a
Then
straddled,
mast
the
Zeus
an bobbing
I
of
lashing big west
away. them.
slant
land it,
lay
tide,
I
toppling of
deep.
on us
offshore
overside,
on—one heaven, seafaring
yet
gale a sea.
again,
stout
timber
fig
return; of
I
and
diver. the
let
wind
the
drifted, rigging
I
blow
a
sulfur,
tree,
clambered
force,
awhile
billow
fly
squall
sail,
ocean.
aft
breeze
more
breaking 770 775 780 785 795 790 hirds 790. petrels pët’rlz): The Odyssey small sea
517 catching Ofl like a bat under a bough. Nowhere had Ito stand, no way of climbing, the root and boles being far below, and far 811) 810. bole:tree trunk. above my head the branches and their leaves, massed, overshadowing Charybdis pool. But I clung grimly, thinking my mast and keel would come back to the surface when she spouted. And ah! how long, with what desire, I waited! 815 till, at the twilight hour, when one who hears and judges pleas in the marketplace all day between contentious men, goes home to supper, the long poles at last reared from the sea.
Now I let go with hands and feet, plunging 821) straight into the foam beside the timbers, pulled astride, and rowed hard with my hands to pass by Scylla. Never could I have passed her had not the Father of gods and men, this time, 824. Fatherof godsand men: Zeus. kept me from her eyes. Once through the strait, nine days I drifted in the open sea before I made shore, buoyed up by the gods, upon Ogygia Isle. The dangerous nymph 828, Ogygia ö-jii’ë-’). Calypso lives and sings there, in her beauty, and she received me, loved me. But why tell the same tale that I told last night in hall to you and to your lady? Those adventures made a long evening, and I do not hold with tiresome repetition of a story.’’
FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION 3. Consider each of the episodes you have read so far. How well does Odysseus control 1. Odysseus maneuvers his men safely past his men in each episode? How effective and the Sirens while he alone listens to their song. responsible is he as a leader? Cite specific How do the Sirens tempt him? lines to support your answer. 2. Faced with a choice between Scylla and 4. Before Odysseus’ men feast on the cattle of Charybdis, Odysseus does as Circe advises the sun god, they perform a ritual of sacrifice and chooses Scylla. He knows that six of his to the gods. Why does the ritual fail to please men will die, yet he withholds this informa the gods? How are the men punished? tion from his crew. Is this a strength or weak 5. Odysseus alone survives. How is he aided ness in his character? Explain. by Zeus?
518 An Epic Poem PART 2 ODYSSEUS IN ITHACA
Father and Son
\iter hearing the story of Odysseus’ wanderings, the king of haeacia offers him a boat and crew to take him home to Ithaca. Thus Odysseus returns to his own land after an absence of twenty years. The goddess Athena appears to Odysseus and tells him to proceed cautiously. Believing that he is dead, many suitors have besieged his palace, eager to marry his beautiful wife. i’eflelope. Penelope does not believe that Odysseus is dead, hut she is unable to make the suitors leave. They remain in [thaca, eating and drinking at her expense. They are even lotting to murder her son, ‘Telemachus ta lm’a-kas), before he is old enough to inherit his father’s lands. Telemachus, who hopes for his father’s return, has gone to Sparta to ask for news of him. Athena disguises Odysseus as a ragged old beggar and sends aim to the hut of Eurnaeus (yiö-nii’asL an old and loyal wineherd. She then directs Telemachus to return to Ithaca and tells Odysseus that it is rime to reveal his identity to his
;gfl -
From the air x , he walked, taking the torm of a tall woman, andsome and clever at her craft, and stood eyoiid the gate in plain sight of Odysseus, inseen, though, by Telemachus, unguessed, or not to everyone will gods appear. xin )dysseus noticed her; so did the dogs, vho cowered whimpering away from her. She onl rodded, signing to him with her brows, sign he recognized. Crossing the yard, e passed out through the gate in the stockade C) face the goddess. There she said to him:
Son of Laertes and the gods of old, )dysseus, master of landways and seaways,
issem ble to your son no longer now. E’hc time has come: tell him how you together ill bring doom on the suitors in the town.
The ()dvss’v 519 I shall not be far distant then, for I myself desire battle.” Saying no more, she tipped her golden wand upon the man, making his cloak pure white, and the knit tunic sss fresh around him. Lithe and young she made him, ruddy with sun, his jawline clean, the beard no longer gray upon his chin. And she withdrew when she had done. Then Lord Odysseus reappeared—and his son was thunderstruck. Fear in his eyes, he looked down and away as though it were a god, and whispered: “Stranger, you are no longer what you were Just now! Your cloak is flew; even your skin! You are one of the gods who rule the sweep of heaven! Be kind to us, we’ll make you fair ohlation’ 66 oblation: an often ng to a god. and gifts of hammered gold. Have mercy on us!”
3 -,‘ The noble and enduring man replied:
“No god. Why take me for a god? No, no. I am that father whom your boyhood lacked 870 and suffered pain for lack of. I am he.”
Held back too long, the tears ran down his cheeks as he embraced his son. Only Telemachus, uncomprehending, wild with incredulity, cried out: “You cannot 875 be my father Odysseus! Meddling spirits conceived this trick to twist the knife in me! No man of woman horn could work these wonders by his OWfl craft, unless a god came into it with ease to turn him young or old at will. 880 I swear you were in rags and old, and here you stand like one of the immortals!”
Odysseus brought his ranging mind to bear and said: “This is not princely, to be swept away by wonder at your father’s presence. 885 No other Odysseus will ever come, for he and I are one, the same; his bitter fortune and his wanderings are mine. Twenty years gone, and I am back again on my own island. As for my change of skin, 890 that is a charm Athena, Hope of Soldiers, uses as she will; she has the knack to make me seem a beggar man sometimes and sometimes young, with finer clothes about me. It is no hard thing for the gods of heaven 895 to glorify a man or bring him low.”
When he had spoken, down he sat. Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Felemachus began to weep. Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men, 900 and cries burst from both as keen and fluttering
The Odyssey 521 as those of the great taloned hawk, whose nestlings farmers take before they fly. So helplessly they cried, pouring out tears, and might have gone Ofl weeping so till sundown, 905 had not Telemachus said: “Dear father! Tell me what kind of vessel put you here ashore on Ithaca? Your sailors, who were they? I doubt you made it, walking on the sea!”
Then said Odysseus, who had borne the barren sea: 911)
“Only plain truth shall I tell you, child. Great seafarers, the Phaeacians, gave me passage as they give other wanderers. By night over the open ocean, while I slept, they brought me in their cutter, set me down 915 on Ithaca, with gifts of bronze and gold and stores of woven things. By the gods’ will these lie all hidden in a cave. I came to this wild place, directed by Athena, so that we might lay plans to kill our enemies. Count up the suitors for rue, let me know what men at arms are there, how many men. I must put all my mind to it, to see if we two by ourselves can take them on or if we should 11)0kround for help.” Telemachus 925 replied: “0 Father, all my life your fame as a fighting man has echoed in my ears— your skill with weapons and the tricks of war— but what you speak of is a staggering thing, beyond imagining, for me, How can two men do battle with a houseful in their prime? For I must tell you this is no affair of ten or even twice ten men, hut scores, throngs of them, You shall see, here and now, The number from Dulichium alone is fifty-two, picked men, with armorers, a half-dozen; twenty-four came from Same, twenty from Zacynthus; our own island accounts for twelve, high-ranked, and their retainers,
522 An Epic Poem Medon I If You besides
who the answered:
her Suppose
fear
we
fighting
father’s,
must
had
4,1
go
we
/1
the
a
in
Athena’s
endured pay
pair
“I’ll
think
against
crier,
strength
must
in
of
tell
salt
hard handymen
and
the
arm
I you
all
rack
blood
to
the
if
long
these
now.
is
you
take
my
over Master
I for
war
at
would
r
brains us
your
us,
feasts.
and
through.”
Harper,
and
conjure
vengeance.
the for
Zeus
more?”
sea
Odysseus
up -
940
945 -
41
•H.
4 1. .4 It
I
I
4
JbI Clearheaded Telemachus looked hard and said: 950 ‘Those two are great defenders, no one doubts it, hut throned in the serene clouds overhead; other affairs of men and gods they have to rule over.” And the hero answered:
“Before long they will stand to right and left of us 955 in combat, in the shouting, when the test comes— our nerve against the suitors’ in my hail. Here is your part: At break of day tomorrow home with you, go mingle with our princes. The swineherd later on will take mc down the port-side trail—a beggar, by my looks, hangdog and old. if they make fun of me in my own courtyard, let your ribs cage up your springing heart, no matter what I suffer, no matter if they pull me by the heels 965 or practice shots at me, to drive me out. Look on, hold down your anger. You may even plead with them, by heaven! in gentle terms to quit their horseplay—not that they will heed you, rash as they are, facing their day of wrath. ‘)io Now fix the next step in your mind. Athena, counseling me, will give mc word, and I shall signal to you, nodding: at that point round up all armor, lances, gear of war left in our hail, and stow the lot away 97 back in the vaulted storeroom. When the suitors miss those arms and question you, he soft in what you say—answer: ‘I thought I’d move them out of the smoke. They seemed nolonger those bright arms Odysseus left us years ago 9K0 when he went off to Troy, Here where the fire’s hot breath came, they had grown black and drear. One better reason, too, I had from Zeus: Suppose a brawl starts up when you are drunk, you might he crazed and bloody one another, 985 and that would stain your feast, your courtship. Tempered iron can magnetize a man.
524 An Epic Poem But for and when
bemusing
If
Neither let
nor
the how But
who
the
FOR
eus
2. vince I. tar
chus right. 4. ‘)90.
turn
3.
son
our
no
Telemachus
What
put Odysseus Why
women Zeus any
loyal you
too
take to
must
we What
a
of STUDY
that
one
Telemachus
Flow
own
aside secret? locate
slave, many Laertes,
and
mine
does
makes go
All-Provident
and
you
our
hear
they
he
is are
use,
into does
I
two
respectful,
young outlines a
Telemachus’ alone
good lightly,
nor you Odysseus
suitors
AND
Odysseus corrupted;
god?
warns can
Telemachus
nor two
action.
Odysseus
broadswords
even
are
that
men
win?
must
the friends.
Flow
oxhide
DISCUSSION
as
Odysseus for
and
his
will
Penelope.
he
Pallas
swineherd
and among want alone
is
the
learn Say does
we
blood
plan
is
part
persuade
about.
Now
see
shields
think
the
his
should
two
that.
to
and and
Athena Odysseus
how
you
our in that in
of shirkers
father?
keep
one
of
the
that
lines
young.” two
here,
mine,
nearby
hands,
through,
there far
know Telema them
thing
plan?
his
Odys
spears
958—
con
are
re
to
more.
10(X)
990
995
/
The
Odyssey
525 The Suitors
The next day, disguised once more as a beggar, Odysseus enters the hail of his home and passes among the suitors to beg. Antinous (ãn-tin’O-as), the most arrogant and outspoken of the suitors, breaks into a rage.
But here Antmous broke in, shouting:
What evil wind blew in this pest? Get over, stand in the passage! Nudge my table, will you? Egyptian whips are sweet IUOS to what you’ll come to here, you nosing rat, making your pitch to everyone! These men have bread to throw away un you L because it is not theirs. Who cares? Who spares another’s food, when he has more than plenty?’’ I
With guile Odysseus drew away, then said:
‘‘A pity that you have more looks than heart, You’d grudge a pinch of salt from your own larder to your own handyman. You sit here, fat on nthers’ meat, and cannot bring yourself fl I to rummage out a crust of bread for me!’’
Then anger made Antinous’ heart beat hard, and, glowering tinder his brows, he answered: “Now! You think you’ll shuffle off and get away after that impudence’ Oh, no you don’t!’’ I / The stool he let fly hit the man’s right shoulder on the packed muscle under the shoulder blade like solid rock, for all the effect one saw. Odysseus only shook his head, containing thoughts of bloody work, as he walked on, then sat, and dropped his loaded bag again upon the doorsill. Facing the whole crowd he said, and eyed them all: “One word only, my lords, and suitors of the famous queen.
926 An Epic Poem One thing I have to say. 1030 There is no pain, no burden for the heart when blows come to a man, and he defending his own cattle—his own cows and lambs. Here it was otherwise. Antinous hit me for being driven on by hunger— 1035 how many bitter seas men cross for hunger’ If beggars interest the gods, if there are Furies 1037. Furies: three goddesses who 0 punished those crimes that went pent in the dark to avenge a poor man’s wrong, then unavenged. may Antinous meet his death before his wedding day!”
Then said Eupeithes’ son, Antinous: “Enough. 1040 Eat and be quiet where you are, or shamble elsewhere, unless you want these lads to stop your mouth pulling you by the heels, or hands and feet, over the whole floor, till your back is peeled!”
/
1•11 But rnw the rest were mortified, and someone 045 spoke from the crowd of young bucks to rebuke him:
“A poor show, that — hitting this famished tramp — j had business, if he happened to be a god. You know they go in foreign guise, the gods do, looking like strangers, turning up in towns and settlements to keep an eye N on manners, good or bad.’’ I Rut at this notion Antinous only shrugged. Telemachus, after the blow his father bore, sat still without a tear, though his heart felt the blow. lOSS 7 Slowly he shook his head from side to side, I containing murderous thoughts
I‘enci( )pe on the higher level of her room had heard 4 the blow, ind knew who gave it. Now she rnurmured
52S An Epic Poem ‘Would god you could be hit yourself, Antinous— 1060 rut by Apollo’s bowshot!” And Eurynome,° 1061. Eurynome yoo-rin’ me). her housekeeper, put in: “He and flO other? if all we pray for came to pass, not one would live till dawn!” Her gentle mistress said:
‘Oh, Nan, they are a bad lot; they intend 106’ ruin for all of us; but Antinous appears a blacker hearted hound than any. Here is a poor man come, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave bits, to cram his bag—only 1070 Antinous threw a stool, and banged his shoulder!”
So she described it, sitting in her chamber / among her maids while her true lord was eating. Uhen she called in the forester and said:
‘Go to that man on my behalf, Eumaeus, 1075 I and send him here, so I can greet and question him. Abroad in the great world, he may have heard rumors about Odysseus—may have known him!”
I Penelope She
and Later
“Friend,
who should “My both has honor gives new in so
s,30
equity
that
asks
gone
parents
are
lambs
lady,
wheat
that
great
An of
have
his
you,
let
him
some
out
over
night
Epic
never
hauls
folk
at
me
were and
a
under
where
if
lamhrng
fault
the
god-fearing
Poeni
ask
he Penelope
fare
barley,
a
of you
man
strong:
has
you
to heaven
fish
do
well.
born?’’
find
heard
time—and
you
fruit in
first
by
meets
his
the
king,
with
his
like
come
And
of trees
any
hack
wide
good
all:
secretly
the
who yOu.
news
he
I
from,
the
laden
lands
world
sweet
strategy,
replied:
rules Your
deep
of
of
with bright,
bear
her
what
name
sea
the
husband.
nation
old
beggar.
()5fl 0 my dear lady, 1090 this being so, let it suffice to ask me of other matters—not my blood, my homeland. Do not enforce me to recall my pain. My heart is sore; but I must not be found sitting in tears here, in another’s house; 1095 it is not well forever to be grieving. One of the maids might say—or you might think— I had got maudlin over cups of wine.”
And Penelope replied: “Stranger, my looks, my face, my carriage, were soon lost or faded i 100 when the Achaeans crossed the sea to Troy, Odysseus my lord among the rest. If he returned, if he were here to care for me, I might be happily renowned! But grief instead heaven sent me—years of pain. 1105 Sons of the noblest families on the islands, Dulichium, Same, wooded Zacynthus, with native Ithacans, are here to court me, against my wish; and they consume this house. Can I give proper heed to guest or suppliant iiio or herald on the realm’s affairs? How could I? wasted with longing for Odysseus, while here they press for marriage. Ruses served my turn to draw the time out — first a close-grained web I had the happy thought to set up weaving 1115 on my big loom in hall. I said, that day; ‘Young men—my suitors, now my lord is dead, let me finish my weaving before I marry, or else my thread will have been spun in vain. It is a shroud I weave for Lord Laertes 1120 when cold Death comes to lay him on his bier. The country wives would hold me in dishonor if he, with all his fortune, lay unshrouded.’ I reached their hearts that way, and they agreed. So every day I wove on the great loom, 1125
— but every night by torchlight I unwove it; and SO for three years I deceived the Achaeans. But when the seasons brought a fourth year on,
The Odyssey 531 as
through they
I
I And cannot will urge able He Zeus The confide
Troy twenty
You ing that homeward far Here god and
Odysseus ,ifter I Between
2. Odysseus FOR seus’ 1.
cussion ties the 532
had
have
You
swear
long
comprehends
from A Odysseus’
Penelope
not
of caught now,
Lord to
were Odysseus Greeks it
beggar
does
no
would
number the is
lie
see,
STUDY
no adventure
An
upon
the months
find oversee
in years
imprudent
my
these
stand
choice
his
convinces
with this wane,
strength
Odysseus’
as
m)t
Epic
she
will then,
me,
changed
zenith,
now,
any
me—clamored
sworn
endow
invents
me, admired island, matters
of
clothes present ago represents
things
born
by
reveal
is tell
come.” AND
Poem her
the waned,
then
before further
years he
no
and
about with it,
while
in
left
word
me
folly
noblest kind is of
with
housekeeper Penelope
his
being more
hearthiire,
hut
a shall stand
about
DISCUSSION
my Crete,
alive
in have in
dark
mythic
to
your the the
and
tale
dear
to
way;
they
detail.
in
for of
women.
honor. to
son evade
characteristics
to
a
set
turn
crescent
Cyclops.
up passed and at
and the of house
the
finish herself
it. man
ancestry.
iif
wife
when
be
eat
that
my
last,
sail the oak
to
Witness
Then
slinking
one But long how out
well, abroad now
a
up
me
parents full-grown,
and marriage,
What
the
gods,
lines
since
for it.
or
Odysseus
in
as
you day’s
moon,
his
days
How
before
he at
he stone.
and
story
Ithaca.
son.
her
I
night;
this,
property.
Odys
say. tells
maids quali
11)65— too
had
ebb, headed
were
that
dis
has
is
me:
her
true
seen
was
spent,
he
years? example .3. husband was knows identity know.
1071 by
hound
Odysseus
has
The
deserib
she
heard ?
I
What In
Why
I
I
1,3(1
141) scene
something
for
I .35 a
Odysseus
able her
of IS
secret
do
does (Irarnatic
interview
in
to
you
1147
from
which
trick
this
disguised
think
that
od
his ruse
irony with
ol the
Penelope
Penelope
Odysseus
the
wife
show
suitors
the
as
ienith:
b
a
r
beggar?
beggar about
the
meets
does
keeps
h)r
readei
her?
three
Ho
is
no)
hei
hi’
an
I
I The Challenge
The suitors summon Penelope to the hail and demand that she choose one of them at once. Penelope announces a challenge: she will marry whoever can string Odysseus’ great bow and shoot an arrow through a row of twelve ax-handle sockets, as Odysseus used to do. One by one the suitors try but fail to even bend the how. The old beggar then asks for a turn. The suitors protest until both Penelope and Telemachus insist that he be given the bow.
And Odysseus took his time, turning the bow, tapping it, every inch, for borings that termites might have made 1155 4 while the master of the weapon was abroad. The suitors were now watching him, and some jested among themselves: “A bow lover!” L
LE
The Odyssey 533 “Dealer
at
“See
And like “May
But satisfied with he Then a Odysseus
And
a SO and of overhead, He
He in where aiming and
through arrow to Odysseus I you 534
sweet home!”
swallow’s
did
crooked-minded
draws the
the
thud
picked the bends nocked° a
one
all
how
drew
Odysseus
quiet welcomed
his musician, slid
not
An
quiver taut
from it
in
their man
from new
disdainful
with by
every
lay
fortune he between
‘Or
old
miss, in
his it!”
Epic the
one
said:
one hand
gut
the
note.
twanging it, handles
one
skilled
hare: string
faces
where has
bows!”
right
heavy for
string
loud
laughed
socket
Poem “Telemachus, let ready
vibrating great
in neither
like
upon
In motion
grow the an
the his
it changed. your
suitor
hand
upon Cronus
the crack
he in
brazen and itch a “Maybe
rest it,
bow’s young arrow
ring, thumb his bow
rest
harper,
all an
sat within
hushed
the did hail
grooved down
strung a hummed across to
added
for
instrument
inch ways
were
upon peg:
clean
and had
I sly head look from
Then make
men’s
has
take
he a
and
the
when
him
sign. the
for old
hail so
grazed flung
of
the
the this: waiting has
not
the and
as beyond.
his butt
stranger forefinger
all Zeus
one
effortlessly
contending,
every and
turn
cord
buzzard!”
that
a
handgrip, how, it
one
disgraced stool.
table heft,
day
whistle that
of smote
for
not
sang
thundered
to
and
the
still
like
Then inch the
himself”
Now
omen
come.
one,
son plucked
arrow,
the it
he
you.
quietly
flashed
down.
suitors
it,
I
I
16()
1185
lit) loS
18(1
75
jrri’w
pIJcc(I li’ the
IS!
string
how
nocked: gi
iii
Insi
F IiI i stringing the bow. My hand and eye are sound, 1190 not so contemptible as the young men say. The hour has come to cook their lordships’ mutton— supper by daylight. Other amusements later, with song and harping that adorn a feast.”
He dropped his eyes and nodded, and the prince 1195 Telemachus, true son of King Odysseus, belted his sword on, clapped hand to his spear, and with a clink and glitter of keen bronze stood by his chair, in the forefront near his father.
J
I
I Odysseus’
Now
leapt
He and
if Now
just He
embossed,
the How
who Odysseus’ could
and
crimson and from Backward
Now everyone knocking the
not the
5.36 All
I
poured
can drew
his islands quiver
spoke
wine
drinking for
as fingers: death?
friends on indeed— punched suitors
they walls a one
shrugging and
and
would
watch
could
as his
dare
good
An
“So
the
hand. make
Aiitinous
his
they
to
last
stout!
runnels, throw.
was
could shocked
to on Epic
out
the in and
arrow two-handled, young
much
to
eyes?
his
he?
ashen
Revenge
me jostled imagine
the
cup. craned the
kick
his
this
up
bring even
bread at
down
off
Poem on
fist
In do hit
crowd:
to
his
feet.
long
hit
for
man
a
shot.
spear hand.
upset
that the
his
was
at
in the a
the
death’s
river
to
and
a
feet him
that.
he
target
his uproar
Wildly
room
rags
single broad
see leaned
cruel
revelry
yell
feathers
Help
was
went,
golden:
his
Like
meat
of
a
under lips:
Your
their
the
rain
pain
that
mortal
in
for
table
doorsill.
there
head
foe
down
me,
they
pipes
to
and outrage to
letting
amid wiliest
arms; champion
of
clean-cut
the through —
no
the
on
lift
soak
Apollo.”
though of
arrows
for
turned did
red,
the
his man
him
chin
cup
his
his
an
his
but
the a
fighter
in
at he
hall, nostrils
man
arrow
beautiful
throng
and
was
has his
dusty own
Odysseus:
dream from game not and a winecup
where
strong
throat.
darkness hit
to
in
of
a
scanned bow
the
blood. jetted of
take shield.
is
his
the
before, he
of
over.
foe
fall
in
lay
Il(S)
1205
izm
ins
tim
i
us
1
t) “Foul! You “Your
For an
they But
“You home
Contempt
bid Your contempt
pulled As
Eurymachus° looking all “If Antinous Rash
But He as your to than restitution he Meanwhile with
md
unintended
do
king
they that
you they tried
for
glaring
wild
is
to
killed wide
here
add,
were
last own for yellow gifts
actions,
from own
these to dead
plunder.
at
my
are
you of
for
all
imagined
to shoot
shot, the
he each
their heaven,
hour
for already
was
the people.
was of
Ithaca.
wife
throat
under
now
the Odysseus
trap of
took some
things.
we
lies, say
power dogs,
bronze
what
alone
many wine
best
one,
killing—
the
entrails, at
has all
land
cannot
while
your
and
these
this
the
hatch a his
will
in
For
As
you as
ringleader, you
come. on
men
man! a
He
Cronion
and
could
of
here,
and has
the
“Buzzards
man
they tithe
in, son brows
for
of
that
I
men Ithaca.”
be
had
Troy. cared
thought
blame fools,
was and
or
meat
Ithaca
You say
grip his sickly
gold
ourselves, That
slit
and
You
speak. more
who wished—that
hideaway
of
for
have
Odysseus
their
still
of
portion.
has
less You
dared
of
twenty not for
consumed, to would he
you
die the
was
you
come
caused
green
will
I’d
death. “Our
in
warm
denied
this!” done alive.
whipped He
for to eyes
took
in
gods
for
the
never
your
hereafter.
we’ll
comprehend tear
said:
have from
a
Spare oxen blood.”
back,
fear
finest
your
answered:
is
flickered
countryside.
marriage them
your my
who
him
it
last
your
true.
make
make
us killed
death.
was
house
anger.”
lad
heart.
all. rule
shot!”
on
eyes
a
it
is
him.
down!
out!”
1230
I25
1240
I24
1255 i2u
1242.
Eurymachus
The
yO-ri’mk.s). Odyssey
537 Odysseus and
all put There You
I or They
Eurymachus
he’ll “Friends,” until Now
let’s
Hold
538
doubt
run
you
up
said:
way
forced
remember
shoot
he that
felt
up
will
for
An
by
enjoy,
one
“Not
out,
kills
your
glowered
their
others,
it,
he’s
Epic
be he
yourselves
from
man
for if
killing us lands,
said,
for tables
got
you
knees
Poem
the
the
to the
of
would
the
his
under “the
the think you
joy
last
flocks,
big to
till
whole fail,
hands upon
deflect of
last
skins
man doorstone I
time
the
his
you’ll
hold
it.
and
or
man.
this
treasure
score
Swords
on
black
is
rallying
by.”
any
their
his
my
implacable.
escape
how
house,
Fight,
arrows,
is
gold
hand.
there
brows
hearts—hut
out!
paid.
and of
them.
death. I
your
Fight
say,
quiver
fathers,
your
heard
I.
I
1265
I
6()
271) If After This
into He
he honed
an The pitching be were sprang
Revulsion,
we
hurled
arrow
downed
drew
fine and his fly fell butt head
of kicking
the bright
fellow
can me, spilt
0
like
mist
to
liver.
aside,
loud
town,
bronze,
across
his
at
budge
slammed
the
everyone:
himself
and
a
anguish broadsword
his
with
that
closed
out,
own
razor
nipple
scattered we’ll
cbair,
his
him
instant,
his
sword
at
on
on
on
table.
in
rush
call
of
from bow Odysseus.
while
either
his
his
the
his
clanged
as
far
out
and
him
His
will
eyes.
heart,
the
ground.
breast
he
and the
edge.
men
the
cup,
where
spoke,
door,
shoot
down.
But
shrouding
wide,
with
quivering
as
to
Then
his
the
if
the
no chase
he
a
both
we
and
bread He
broadsword
kingly
more.”
stands.
crying
barb
can
lurched
wave
his
him.
feet
feathered
and
stuck
pass
man
hoarse
meat,
and
of
in
let
1275
1280
1285
yssey
539
ii ‘4 44 Amphinomus broadsword the But
clear Telemachus between
forward,
planted someone
at
to
a ‘‘Father outfits
I Better
‘‘Run as
if
upon four lie and ran
and I-Ic The
one beside
he he But
54(J
can
pair
I’m
the his
long
great
with
him
aimed dark
caught down leaned
was tables
to
ran
slide
of when their through
helms
servants
arm
his
of then, father’s
alone
imment
An
to
the
to
his the
in
as
let
thudding, the
the
back,
soldier a spears,
spear
might
have
father’s
Eumaeus
on his with
stand
Epic
and Amphinornus.
spear
the
room
his all
huddling up
naked
master me
of
while
swerved shoulders,
they first
the
his now
bare
armed
barbs
side
four
arrows war
loaded bow
equipment
shot,
bring
Poem
a
he jump
give a
throw
where
chest.
to sword
run
can
word
helmet.
in
I
came
arm forehead
of
high and
bent
light
in
and
hold
pull
had
and
enemies. his
way
themselves, you around
myself;
battle.
down, him dislodge
last.
the
from
and
halted, in
spears
He
I’elemachtis
this plumed
over.
hand.
flown running a shields,
every
them
a
If
at
a
bright
helmet
from
When
shield Said
left
the he
against
buckler
While
the
cowherd. to
behind
him,
I’ll
So
and
me.’’
He paused shot off panting,
from
his
his
lancehead
behind
Odysseus: door.
with
entryway four
give
at
all
he and
and
on
with leaving thought
armor
he
lather’s
feet
Quick
the
Odysseus,
brought
Telemachus strap.
the
are
ran-—ran
pairs
flowing
all
had
spear, to
or ground. and arrows
saying:
gone
bowman’s
yank
three
lay.
drove
arrows
cut the
to
of side.
fell
down
make
spears,
manes,
long
him
from
it
took
out
hit
fist,
the
I
9O
I.2(I
t’j ,_
I
I beside
hard for horsetailed,
Odysseus, then
every turning while And
Think in how
so twitching 2. FOR
4. seus spare and 1. climax seus 3. sive? in
a
lay saw any your Eurymachus
Why At
Do
hay sea,
fine-meshed
Odysseus the on
all
took
reveal give
STUDY
the Give
suitor. death’s
the
what
the
of you
others
that
of aside
his
are OWfl
slaying
are
a
suitors’
for his
door,
their the suitors
Telemachus,
reasons think
catch
shoulder,
poured
nodding his
point crowd
the
Several
words. refusing? the
tough black
who Odyssey?
AND
looked
identity
and
cold
tries
of
stringing
net
suitors’ Odysseus’ lives.
that
heaped
in
all
the out had
for
fury
armed:
and
stormy
What lives
DISCUSSION
to
this
from
and
times
around
fallen,
fishermen
your
suitors
on
Restate
lain convince
to
bronze-shod
and
passed.
deadly
on
a episode
away
the
the
the
reason
of
crested
a
hidden
Athena opinion.
upon
revenge
one
many
the four-ply
him,
Odysseus’
sand,
considered
whitecaps
suitors?
his
In
in
blows.
Odysseus another.
haul
two
does
his
does
blood
Helios’ arguments
narrow-eyed,
helm,
and
in
saves
is
spears.
head,
shield
in
faithful
throes
exces
Odys
Odys
many
and
how
of
to
the
fiery
Odysseus’
to
the
a
dust
for
slain.
half-moon
servants
air:
sea:
the
salt
life
1325
kill
by
The
Odyssey
/
J
541
t Penelope
After tates him was Greathearted and in lent
taller, in but
on Hephaestus° whose He facing beauty
harder would the
cast if Nurse, Her spoke
I if hoarding nor
542 Place built Make
with
know
he a
curls
man
silyer
sat
all
immortals rubbed
being fresh
him with
scorn
heart
on
to
twenty
returned
fleeces, with
and
An
it
his
to
up work
keep red-golden.
than
then
over
make
you
acknowledge
his
like
so
outside
beauty,
by
Odysseus
a
the tunic
Epic his bathed
silent
is massive, for
Tests
well
with secret his
own
are
Odysseus’ any a
aloof in
petals
moves iron taught
years
Odysseus,
ship
up bed
you—not
rugs,
craftsman,
to
Poem of own the
and .
how
wife, golden the land
a head
Who
her
flow in Olympus
for as only
Odysseus .
for Think
bed
same of of
and
now. This
too,
a to him,
hands.
her
bedchamber
you
you—how
from him,
the
in wild waiting cloak.
Troy.
and
to
else by delight:
for Odysseus
head
sheets
even
home
oil,
breast.” with
the
is chair
do
foot. She
or
whose
stranger of Eurynome
me
said:
Eurycleia.
years
hyacinth
in no
Pile
made
and But
Athena— gold from
and
twentieth Athena
wonder,
said:
crisping
the
for
at to
She pride
of
by
;ust
‘‘Strange
the he—appeared
Penelope all clothed
fine
of
shoulders.
last,
sleep
could infused
purest
my
you the her Odysseus,
world
‘‘Strange
as
made
trouble,
so
the
big
on
art
her
lord
one
husband pillar,
merely.
hard,
she
hair
on.
year?
bed same my know.
linen.”
again woman,
him
husband.
lavished
man, part
Penelope
She
hesti
tests
I.n
(I
I
m’t,iIwork
IIephcstus
im
hI[c\’Ii’,)
god With this she tried him to the breaking point, and he turned on her in a flash raging: 1365
‘Woman, by heaven you’ve stung me now! Who dared to move my bed? No builder had the skill for that — unless a god came down to turn the trick. No mortal in his best days could budge it with a crowbar. io There is our pact and pledge, our secret sign, built into that bed—my handiwork and no one else’s! An old trunk of olive grew like a pillar on the building plot, and I laid out our bedroom round that tree, 1375 lined up the stone walls, built the walls and roof, gave it a doorway and smooth-fitting doors. Then I lopped off the silvery leaves and branches, hewed and shaped that stump from the roots up into a bedpost. drilled it, let it serve 1380 as model for the rest. I planed them all, inlaid them all with silver, gold and ivory, and stretched a bed between—a pliant web nf oxhide thongs dyed crimson. There’s our sign!
I know no more. Could someone else’s hand 1385 have sawn that trunk and dragged the frame away?”
T’heirsecret! as she heard it told, her knees grew tremulous and weak, her heart failed her. With eyes brimming tears she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him, 190 murmuring: “Do not rage at me, Odysseus! No one ever matched your caution! Think what difficulty the gods gave: they denied us life together in our prime and flowering years, kept us from crossing into age together. 1395 Forgive me, don’t be angry. I could not welcome you with love on sight! I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men, inpostors who might come — and all those many whose underhanded ways bring evil on! . 1400
The Odyssey 543 But
as No only You sent
Now of his under longed Few spent
to in
and her
Postscript The
the reunion
slain them restored
FOR
whether 3. Odysseus “if 2. 1. 544
this
longing
joy, crawl,
other
dear What
How What here
man
white
country a
so make
with following
men
my
from
suitors,
in
swimmer
STUDY
Poseidon’s
to
An
of
in
for
she
wife,
is
own and rough
you to
man make
clotted our
does the does joy,
can me
Epic
test
arms mounted,
as my
his are
interrupted
too
his
estate
now,
the armed
own
are” stranger
as slave,
keep clear knowing
has
breast well-matched?
morning stiff
Penelope water AND
rejoiced, Poem
Penelope
does
family
peace.
round
a
with
sunwarmed
blows,
gift—
in bed?
ever what
heart
alive
of
and
Actoris,
for
and
line Penelope into
DISCUSSION where
Laertes,
is
brine,
him
and
So by
battle.
laid
the
Odysseus
faithful, she
her
sign
gale
really
through
imply he
know
show
1356? his
the
ends
to
pressed abyss
kept eyes
gaze wept his
that
on
could
winds
earth
his eyes
arrival
Athena
Odysseus’
Odysseus?
that
devise
the
by
ship
kindly that
in
on
our
upon
my kingdom. a
behind:
and
at
the
the
big his
be as
is
Odyssey, and
it—
I
last,
went
of door.
father
she am
longed Telemachus
appears
though
so
ache
surf arms, her
to
beaches phrase
angry
tons
clear
father,
yours,”
and
tell down
husband,
for
of
with relatives and
forever.
sea.
Their
by
CHARACTERISTICS Homeric As
dissimilar parison linked word.
commands
set
Odysseus
you
out
happy
of
A
1405
1410
1415 by
know,
of
the
for
Homeric
Simile
two like,
actions
a
actions
as,
simile
simile
or
or
objects
some
or
is
OF
objects
a
is
comparison
THE
an
other
that
extended
that
EPIC
are
connecting
develops
usually
of
com
two mounting excitement and usually ends in a FOR COMPOSITION climax. In this passage, Scylla seizing Odys seus’men is compared to a fisherman landing Analyzing Odysseus as Epic Hero a fish: In the opening lines of this translation of the Odyssey, Odysseus describes himself as “for A man surf-casting on a point of rock midable for guile in peace and war.” Do you forbass or mackerel, whippinghis long rod think Odysseus characterizes himself accu to drop the sinker and the bait far out, rately? Why or why not? will hook a fish and rip it from the surface The hero of an epic is generally larger than to dangle wriggling through the air: life. He is stronger, braver, and more clever so these than the other characters. Stmetimes his were borne aloft in spasms toward the cliff. powers are superhuman. Write a brief com position in which you analyze Odysseus as an Notice how the simile is extended by describ epic hero. Use evidencefrom the poem to sup ing the actions of a fisherman and the parallel port your analysis. actions of the monster. How does Homer’s choice of details make the action rise in Analyzing the Role of the Olympians excitement? In Homer s epics the Olympian gods and Look at the simile Homer uses to describe goddesses frequently intervene in human af Odysseus’ stringing of the bow (lines 1166— fairs. In the Iliad, they join the battle of the 1170).Why is this simile strikingly effective? Greeks and the Trojans on the plains outside Find other examples of Homeric similes Troy. They take sides: Athena and Hera fight and tell how the comparisons make the ac for the Greeks, Apollo and Aphrodite for the tions more vivid and gripping. Trojans. The gods intervene in several ways — by starting arguments, by shielding warriors. The Epithet or by changing the course of an arrow. Like the extended simile, the epithet is a fa How do the gods and goddesses affect the vorite device of the ancient epic poets. An action of the Odyssey? Choose several epi epithet is a word or phrase used to character sodes that illustrate divine intervention and ize someone or something, as in “the wine- tell in a brief composition the motives for dark sea.” Homer refers to Odysseus as these interventions and their consequences. raider of cities’ the wiliest fighter of the islands,” and “Laertes’ son.” The gods and goddesses are often identified by epithets. Zeus, for example, is called “Father of gods and men,” “god of the zenith,” “the lord of cloud,” and “All Provident.” Find other epithets Homer uses in the Odyssey.
The Odyssey 545