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439: Book X, Lines 53-60   “The winds rushed out and bore them far out to sea, weeping As their native land faded on the horizon. When I woke up and saw what had happened I thought long and hard … Continue reading →

“I spoke, they obeyed. But I didn’t mention Scylla. There was nothing we could do about that, And I didn’t want the crew to freeze up, Stop rowing, and huddle up together in the hold.” 231-234, Book XII This passage … Continue reading →

Though the Iliad portrays the Trojan War in a thorough fashion, War and Peace is undoubtedly a major structuring binary in the Odyssey. Upon first glance, those who participated in the Trojan War, such as Odysseus, Achilles, and Agamemnon, witnessed … Continue reading →

Book 13, Lines 132-143 “I lose face among the gods, Zeus, When I am not respected by mortal men The Phaeacians yet, my own flesh and blood! I swore that Odysseus would have to suffer Before getting home- I didn’t … Continue reading →

“Then came the ghost of Achilles, son of Peleus, And those of Patroculus and peerless Antilochus And Ajax, who surpassed all the Danaans, Except Achilles, in looks and build.” (11.486-489). You would be hard pressed to find a strong, brave … Continue reading →

Book IX ‘A cheerful gathering of all the people Sitting side by side throughout the halls, Feasting and listening to a singer of tales, The tables filled with food and drink’ v.s. ‘They headed out and made contact with the … Continue reading →

“They went through the woods and found Circe’s house In an upland clearing. It was built of polished stone And surrounded by mountain lions and wolves, Creatures Circe had drugged and bewitched. These beasts did not attack [Odysseus’] men, but … Continue reading →

“Meanwhile, her serving women were busy, Four maidens who did all the housework, Spirit women born of the springs and groves And of the sacred rivers that flow to the sea. ……… In the glowing bronze, she set me in … Continue reading →

“‘There you go again, always the hero. Won’t you yield even to the immortals? She’s not mortal, she’s an immortal evil, Dread, dire, ferocious, unfightable. There is no defense. It’s flight, not fight. If you pause so much as to … Continue reading →

Passage analyzed: Book 9, Lines 505-514 (p 437 in The Norton Anthology, 3rd ed.) In this passage, the Cyclops Polyphemus recalls the prophesying of Odysseus’ visit to his cave. His speech both exemplifies the binary of fate and free will … Continue reading →