Topic: Memory
Focus: The act of sharing memories/story telling as a social tool. How is story telling used to further relationships and achieve a goal?
Thesis: Throughout The Odyssey, memory and storytelling are subtly granted a protean trait whereas it is observed acting in different ways to help our characters achieve a task whether it be to prove a point, further a relationship, or act as a bridge between past and present.
Odysseus says this to Amphinomus, then proceeds to him this touching story advising him to be wary of his shameful behavior. Odysseus, nor Athena, have any intention of sparing a single suitor and so our cunning Odysseus is not sharing this story to build a relationship or really even allow Amphinomus the opportunity to redeem himself, rather to inflict suffering without physical abrasion or blowing his disguise. This is an example of memory being used tactically.
Book XVIII lines 132-133, 160-164
“Amphinous, you come across as a sensible man,
Just as your father was. I have heard of him…
“He spoke, poured libation, drank the sweet wine,
And then gave the cup back to Amphinomus,
Who went away through the hall with his head bowed
And his heart heavy with a sense of foreboding.”
We see Menelaus and Telemachus exchange stories, thus bonding upon common ground despite never having met each other. This story telling helps build trust using pillars they both support, here the pillar is Odysseus’ honor. After this night of emotional display and feasting Menelaus proves to be a great help to Telemachus.
“What’s this? Here in my house, the son
Of my dear friend who did so much for me!”
Book IV lines 176-177
Another, and possibly the most interesting way in which memory appears in The Odyssey is throughout the narration. We have multiple narrators, and at one point our main narrator is Odysseus. Through his portion of the retelling, he repeatedly breaks out to directly address Eumaeus. This is significant it because it adds a dimension to memory, granting it the power to act as a tool in a strategic plan, connecting people, and connecting the past and present. Eumaeus was present for these events, but taking a moment to mention him is almost like hosting a commentary on a film.
“And you answered him, Eumaeus, my swineherd:”
Book XVI line 499
We both touched on fate vs free will in our last post, and now we’re both diving into memory. It is my pleasure to be on this journey with you, fellow great mind.
You have a nice three-pointer going in your thesis (prove a point, further a relationship, or act as a bridge between past and present): a sure way to engage and stir up excitement for how the points develop. The idea of sharing memories as a tactic is a rich one. It also ties into host-guest relationships, where memories of hospitality prove to be invaluable to travelers.