Passage: Book 9- lines 12-23
A few moments before this takes place, Odysseus and Alcinous, as well as the most respectable Phaeacians, are listening to Demodocus’ tale about the Greeks leaving Troy after the war. Consequently, Alcinous asks Odysseus to tell him who he is. And why he doesn’t seem to enjoy such beautiful tale. Odysseus begins his answer by confirming that feasting, drinking and listening to great singers “is the finest thing in the world” for him. On the other hand, he shows that his “pain and sorrow” have filled his mind in a way that there is no room in his soul for enjoyment anymore. He feels lost, even though he knows where he is and he might finally be sent home. Then he tells him that he doesn’t know where to begin nor to end his story. Maybe, because he’s certain that he has more to suffer before he sees his land again. Perhaps, after what he has gone through, and after being so close and at the same time so far from his land, he’s pain is constant. He also expresses his gratitude to Alcinous in a peculiar way, by before even revealing who he was, offering his friendship and hospitality to him, always hoping that his curse is gone someday. Then he proceeds to introduce himself as the “cunning”, and famous, Odysseus whose “fame reaches even to heaven.” However, he puts himself last after he mentions his, social status by showing the things he likes, emotional status by explaining he’s weeping, and finally identity by letting them know he’s name.
On the broader look at this passage, we can notice that the only remedy that will cure Odysseus of this disgraceful situation will be to be in Ithaca again. There is no goddess, present, or hospitality that could overshadow the love to his home. As we know, he has had the opportunity to be immortal, rich and powerful as the mind cannot even imagine, and loved by more than one goddess. But, he has chosen otherwise. He has also, gone through many danger, traps, life and death situations, he has even thought of ending his life. There is only one thing that keeps him from dying. The thought of someday getting home. It is hard to know if this strength comes from a mystical entity such as a god or goddess like Athena or of it’s the way he reacts to all the “tribulations” the gods have sent to him.
I liked how you connected this passage to a large theme we’ve seen and spoken about in class, which is that Odysseus just really wants to get home more than anything. We keep being shown this through Odysseus, both directly and indirectly, throughout the books. Whether it’s through him doing everything that is possible to survive the storm to actually verbally telling people that he only has one thing on his mind: Ithaca, where his wife and son are.
It was very interesting how you analyzed Odysseus introducing himself to Alcinous. I didn’t notice that he said so much before actually revealing his name the first time reading this book. But after you pointed it out, I definitely think it’s significant. Book IX seems to humanize Odysseus. Homer does this by always showing multiple sides of Odysseus as he tells his story. A line like “fame who reaches even to heaven” shows that heroic and almost unstoppable side of Odysseus. However, Homer adding in the things Odysseus likes and him weeping shows that Odysseus has a side that is far from this almighty hero he is sometimes portrayed as.
Hi Fausto,
This is a very promising start. In the close-up view of the passage, you note that there is something “peculiar” about how Odysseus reveals himself. I wish you would say more on this–as a reader, I was intrigued, but the strangeness of the speech was not fully clear to me. Perhaps digging even deeper into the details would help. As you note, Odysseus reveals his emotional state–or fails to conceal it, at least–before revealing his name. And he speaks to Alcinous about their bond, before revealing himself. I think you’re on to something, that this expression of gratitude is at odds with his self-description as cunning, but I’d like to hear more about exactly how the tension between these things works, in your account.
The zoomed-out view could likewise be more crisp and detailed. While home is important–undoubtedly!–the handling of the theme here is somewhat general and vague. Connect the passage to other, similar moments–be specific.
In short: I think your instincts are correct, but need to be pushed further. Don’t be afraid to make even MORE original observations, and to turn those observations into interpretive claims about the text.
Best,
Prof Kolb