Book XV opens with Athene heading to Telemachos and urging him that the time has come to travel homeward and stop enjoying the hospitality of his host. She warns him of danger and urges him to travel at night and stay away from the islands. Upon landing his men are to immediately head into the city, while he is to spend the night with the swineherd. Before Telemachos leaves, he is ladened with fine gifts to take home, including fine cloth from Helen for his eventual wife to wear. While Telemachos was addressing his host a bird flies overhead. Not just any bird, an eagle with a great white goose in its talons. Helen tells how the immortals have placed the symbolism in her heart to mean that Odysseus will come home and take revenge upon the suitors. As Telemachos is boarding his ship a stranger stumbles upon his presence, Theoklymenos. He describes himself as a fugitive that is fleeing from killing a man, he is a prophet that plays his part at the end of this book. While Telemachos is speeding through the night to Ithaka, Odysseus and Eumaios are continuing their storytelling. When Telemachos lands in Ithaka at the end of this book another bird flies by. A falcon this time, flies by tearing the feathers from a pigeon to drift and land between Telemachos and his ship. Here Theoklymenos tells him: ''Telemachos, not without a god's will did this bird fly past you on the right, for I knew when I saw it that it was a portent. No other family shall be kinglier than yours in this country of Ithaka, but you shall have lordly power forever.'' | From earlier in Telemachos journey. Artist: Henry Howard (1769-1847) Dated: 1646 This image comes from the Project Gutenberg archives. This is an image that has come from a book or document for which the American copyright has expired and this image is in the public domain in the United States and possibly other countries. [This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net] Source: Wikimedia Commons |
1 Comment
Odysseus informs us he has turned down two goddesses that wished to make him into their husband, and left behind their oasis because he only desires to be home. How noble of him, as I suspect he is trying to soften the blow of the upcoming story.
First the warriors decide the spoils of war gathered from Troy were not enough and land at Ismaros and proceed to ravage the city. They slaughtered the people and shared the woman and goods from the city. Slaughtering sheep in a drunken stupor on the beach, they had to fight off a neighboring band of Kikonians. Here the men appear like thugs, stopping, especially to harass this village because they had favored Troy during the war. No good guest-host relationship here!
I felt like we had been led to believe the people of Phaiakian would welcome Odysseus and that their closeness with the gods would make them civil, compassionate and honor the guest-host relationship. These statements certainly sound the opposite and make it appear Odysseus is entering a hostile environment.
Sorry for the delay in posting, the last part of the week got overrun with life and while I kept up on my reading of The Odyssey blogging was not in the cards.
|
Current Short-Term Projects
2014 Yearlong Challenges
Multi-Year Projects
A Few Blogs I Follow |