Moctar Diarra
Blog Post : Odyssey Books 6,7,8
Critique of War?
I read Books 6, 7, and 8 of the Odyssey by Homer for today, where Odysseus finds himself stranded in the region of Scheria or Phaecia, after having survived a shipwreck caused by vengeful Poseidon. Odysseus is taken in by the Rulers of this land, who promise to help him return to his home, while giving him deity-like treatment. Before his departure to Ithaca, a celebration is organized in his honor, where a bard named Demodocus sings of The War of Troy, which leads to this passage that caught my attention:
This was the song the renowned bard sang. But Odysseus Pulled his great purple cloak over his head and hid his handsome face. He was ashamed to let the Phaeacians see his tears falling down. Whenever the singer paused, Odysseus would wipe away his tears, pick up his great cup and pour libations to the gods. But when the singer Started again, urged on by the Phaeacian lords, who delighted in his words, Odysseus would cover his head again and moan. He managed to conceal his tears from everyone except Alcinous, who sat at his elbow and could not help but hear his heavy sighs. ( Homer 414)
This specific passage piqued my interest because of how rare it is for Odysseus to display this sort of emotion throughout this story, especially in public settings. As the main character of this poem, he is perpetually described as a godlike hero whose flaws are scant, if not hidden by Athena. Seeing a Song about the War of Troy, which he had partaken in, make a character of his ilk struggle to keep his strong image up and fight the need to cry and lament, made me wonder whether or not Homer was actually trying to convey war’s effects on its participants to us the readers. The contrast between Odysseus’ lamentation and the celebrations going on all around him actually amplifies our hero’s grief, as he is isolated in his sadness. This reminds me of present day cases where many soldiers return with, or develop, mental health problems after wars, ( especially long ones, like the one of Troy which lasted an entire decade) but are often ignored.
There is also a divide in the way war affects those who fought in it and those who didn’t in this book. Whilst Odysseus, a war hero, sheds tears of pain, war is being romanticized and glorified by King Alcinous and his company. They are lauding the warriors and the stories of their battles, King Alcinous even goes as far as to say, “This was the gods doing. They spun that fate so that in later times it would turn into song.” (426) This is an outsider’s perspective, since the king did not have to directly deal with the horrors of war like Odysseus and his men did.
Ultimately, This text leads me to believe that Homer was actually criticizing war through his hero’s tears and makes me question, if by doing so, was he going against the grain by challenging tradition at a time where customs typically revolved around wars and their subsequent stories?
I absolutely believe Homer was against war, especially if you refer to his other works. The specific portion of the text you included shows that long periods of war can take effect on any man, even glorious men, such as Odysseus. Its interesting that Homer doesn’t need to blatantly speak out against the war to leave readers believing that Homer was anti-war, but by incorporating his message into an epic poem and giving readers imagery as to what war can do to an individual. This would lead one to believe that just as we had discussed in class, people in this time period were more advanced than us in certain aspects.
I really enjoyed your post, however I disagree that Homer was criticizing war through Odysseus’ tears at the sound of a song recounting his epic triumphs. I think that Homer was not only trying to humanize Odysseus, he was trying to show the contrast between who Odysseus was and who he is currently. I think that Odysseus was stricken with grief because he lost his way and fell from grace. He went from being a war hero fighting battles of epic proportions, to being a man who was stranded on an island for 7 years, against his will. Now he’s at Phaecia relying on others to help him get back to Ithaca. Odysseus is also longing for his home and his wife. After fighting a decade long war, being stranded for an additional 7 years, battling treacherous seas, only to wash up on a foreign island, surrounded by strangers, I think anyone would be depressed.
While many texts at the time this story was written did talk about war in a positive sense, i do agree that it is possible that war has had a very traumatic effect on him having that he fought in one. The example used about how modern day soldiers come home with PTSD is a good example that shows a easy comparison on how Odysseus possibly feels whether he is tormented or confused. It is also possible however that being on the island for many years, and remembering the so called great warrior that he once was during the war, causes him to weep because he was once someone great and depicted with no flaws even though deep down he has realized he has many flaws. Obviously while he was stuck on the island, him and his crew were vigorously tested and being someone with no flaws it could have been especially challenging for himself to show no distress and having to not show his emotions while around the others. Odysseus just wanted to go home, so how could someone with no flaws and being so great take 7 years to do so? Surely it could have taken a direct hit to his ego. The stress from War and showing it in a negative fashion to contrast other works at the time and in a way show the true effects of war with imagery of Odysseus’s tears is certainly possible to change public opinion and prove that war is not such a great thing. At the same time, Odysseus reflecting on himself and realizing whats happened to him in his life is all too traumatic for him and realizing that he actually isn’t that “untouchable” is also possible. I believe that it could be either of these two scenarios .
First of all, thank you for writing such an amazing post and making more clear about what your work exactly is. It was really nice to read your work. I agree with what Matt what he stated above that Homer was against the war. If you would note rest of his work you will see he was never in favor of the war but if you notice a long period of war can lead to anything in this world. Homer wrote down in his poetry to make the readers realize that he was an anti-war person rather than writing it somewhere purposely. If you would read his work you would see that what all a war can lead up to. You can take the example of homer describing how Odysseus was before and how he is as of now. A war can totally change a person in so many ways that you can’t even imagine. From being a hero Odysseus is relying on others to take him back home to his wife in Ithaca.Odysseus’ tears are surely conceivable to change popular assessment and demonstrate that war is not such an incredible thing.Anyone would go depressed after a war of 7 years just for an island surrounded by strangers.
After reading your post about these chapters I agree when you said that Homer was trying to show another side of Odysseus and how he usually portrays him as always the Hero, so god like to many. And especially stood out to me throughout the readings , I think Homer was trying to convey to us just how human Odysseus is by him showing so much emotions after hearing songs about actual events he lived through and the fact that he is still dealing with hardships at every turn just to return home, his constant struggle for survival at every turn.