Book XIII with the final preparations for Odysseus to be conveyed home by the Phaiakians. I believe one could become rich simply by being a guest in various cities. The Phaiakians provided Odysseus with a treasure trove of goodies to send him on his way. He enjoyed a long slumber aboard the ship oared by the Phaiakian men, so much of one that they carried him off the ship in the bed still asleep. Remember how unhappy Poseidon is with Odysseus, well this wrath gets turned on the Phaiakians. The exchange between Zeus and Poseidon is interesting, to see how the gods address one another and try to placate each into doing as they wish. 'Father Zeus, no longer among the gods immortal shall I be honored, when there are mortals who do me no honor, the Phaiakians, and yet these are my own blood. (Book XIII: Lines 128-130) | Artist: Claude Lorrain (1604/1605–1682) Dated: 1646 Current location: Louvre Museum This work is in the public domain in the United States, and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. Source: Wikimedia Commons |
"What a thing to have said, Earthshaker of the wide strength. 'I would act quickly, dark-clouded one, as you advise me, 'Good brother, here is the way it seems to my mind best |
So it be told, the Phaiakians paid for helping Odysseus by having the ship that conveyed him turned to stone within eyesight of the village. On the bright side, their city was not buried under a mountain. However, I wonder if this is yet to come. When this was witnessed, Alkinoös spoke of a prophecy told to him by his father, their punishment for being kind and conveying all men that come to them would be a ship being stunned and a great mountain would be set upon the city. So, while at this point they have escaped being buried, it sounds as though they still are likely to encounter such a destruction.
Artist: John Flaxman (1755-1826) Dated: 1810 This work is in the public domain in the United States, and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. Source: Wikimedia Commons | Meanwhile, Odysseus wakes from his slumber and is rather upset, for he does not recognize this land as his. His greed also sets in and he counts all the treasure, thinking that the Phaiakian men that conveyed him home took some. He counts it, only to find that none of it is missing. He does not recognize anything, because, as usual or gray-eyed Athene has created a mist to disguise the surroundings. She comes to him as a young herdsman, Odysseus asks in what country he is in, he learns he is indeed in Ithaka, but he avoids showing his interest. He answers with a tale about having fled because he killed a man over the loot from Troy. What does Athene think of this falsehood? 'It would be a sharp one, and a stealthy one, who would ever get past you in any contriving; even if it were a god against you. You wretch, so devious, never weary of tricks, then you would not even in your own country give over your ways of deceiving and your thievish tales. They are near to you in your very nature. (Book XIII: Lines 291-295) |
Having turned Odysseus into an unrecognizable figure by withering Odysseus flesh and ruining his hair, she turned him into an old man with even the flicker in his eyes dimmed. I did take notice that it indicates she did this by tapping her wand upon Odysseus. I don't recall a mention of a wand anywhere else in the story, but it made me think of the fairy godmother in Cinderella for some reason. He is sent on his way to his swineherd to stay with the leader while Athene heads to Sparta to tell Telemachos it is time for him to come home.
Book XIV opens with Odysseus head out across the countryside towards his swine. As he approaches the dogs that keep company with the swines go on the attack and charge towards this stranger approaching. The overseer was able to call the wild dogs off and properly welcome the stranger with all the warmth and tradition generally seen in the guest-host relationship.
Book XIV opens with Odysseus head out across the countryside towards his swine. As he approaches the dogs that keep company with the swines go on the attack and charge towards this stranger approaching. The overseer was able to call the wild dogs off and properly welcome the stranger with all the warmth and tradition generally seen in the guest-host relationship.
He immediately sets out to slaughter a young swine to feed the guest and of course shares some wine. He does not care that this guest looks like an old weathered beggar, he serves Zeus properly by hosting. As the two spend the evening talking Odysseus learns that this man still thinks highly of his master and has no affection towards the despicable ways of the suitors. Odysseus tries multiple times to assure the man that Odysseus would be returning to this land, but he just can't find it in himself to believe such a tale after so long. He shares his story of being kidnapped from his privileged childhood by a nurse that was offering him up to be sold. He describes his loyalty to Odysseus and shares what has been happening with his father, mothers, wife and son. Odysseus must once again weave a tale that hides his true identity. He is a master at telling engaging stories of his exploits. | Artist: Louis-Frederic Schützenberger (1825–1903) Dated: 1886 This work is in the public domain in the United States, and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Meanwhile, Athene has told Telemachos it is time for him to leave the hospitality he is receiving and head home and set things right in his household. She warns him of how to travel safely. She instructs him to have his men head for the city upon landing and for he himself to head to the swineherd.
Such plots they weave to accomplish getting Odysseus and Telemachos together to confront the suitors. Chess game anyone? I am starting to get the feeling that the gods are puppeteers and the mortal men the puppets or the chess pieces on a game board. The way people are maneuvered around for something that has already been decided on, look at how early in the story Odysseus was told he would lose all his companions, yet look how long they stay around partaking in the games.
Previous Postings: Update Books XI-XII; Update Books IX-X; Update Books VII-VIII; Update Books V-VI; Update Books III-IV; Update Books I and II; Background; Sign-Up/Schedule
Quotes from: The Odyssey of Homer, Translated and with an Introduction by Richmond Lattimore
ISBN: 978-0-06-124418-6; Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (2007)
[Notice: Original posting 2014-03-29 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
Tags: Odyssey, Read-Alongs
Such plots they weave to accomplish getting Odysseus and Telemachos together to confront the suitors. Chess game anyone? I am starting to get the feeling that the gods are puppeteers and the mortal men the puppets or the chess pieces on a game board. The way people are maneuvered around for something that has already been decided on, look at how early in the story Odysseus was told he would lose all his companions, yet look how long they stay around partaking in the games.
Previous Postings: Update Books XI-XII; Update Books IX-X; Update Books VII-VIII; Update Books V-VI; Update Books III-IV; Update Books I and II; Background; Sign-Up/Schedule
Quotes from: The Odyssey of Homer, Translated and with an Introduction by Richmond Lattimore
ISBN: 978-0-06-124418-6; Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (2007)
[Notice: Original posting 2014-03-29 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
Tags: Odyssey, Read-Alongs