Bards In The Odysseus

Bards were very much a key factor in early literature. All the way from Ancient Greece and Homer’s The Odyssey to the Anglo-Saxton era epic heroic poem of Beowulf. Other than singing and playing instruments, Bards were very smart people they were some of the few people who could read and write. They kept sort of a history of things and either write it down or they are able to tell it in such as amazing way that moves the people hearing it usually to tears or it is just able to capture you. In the epic poem The Odyssey, we meet a blind man by the name of Demodocus in book VII. Many people believe that Demodocus is actually supposed to represent Homer who is the author of the Epic poem. It was believed that Homer himself was actually blind,

But back to Demodocus, we first meet him in book VIII at the feast hall of King Alcinous. “Then the herald came up leading Demodocus.” (pg 258 line 65) King Alcinous is King of the Phaiakians and is a super hospital guy who not only helps Odysseus but also tries to be the best host for anyone of his guest that needs it. “Stranger, My heart is not like that, to grow angry Without cause. Better to give all things their due. I would wish, by Zeus, by Athena and Apollo, That you, being the kind man you are- My Kind of man- would marry my daughter.” (pg 256 line 329-334) How about King Alcinous he does not even know who this man is only looks like a beggar and within the first five minutes of them talking the King has already offered him a place to stay, as much food as he desires, even a boat so he can make it back to his homeland, and even he has offered his daughter to him for marriage. At first King Alcinous has no idea that the man he is hosting is the mighty worrier Odysseus. “This stranger has come to my house In his wanderings. I don’t know who he

He starts to sing in his beautiful voice and powerful words a song about Odysseus and the famous Achilles about a quarrel the two had during the Trojan War. As the entire feast hall listens to Demodocus sing everyone is in awe, except Odysseus he hears the song and cannot help but cry thinking about all the troubles he has gone through. He tries to compose himself but every time he hears Demodocus voice he cannot help but cover his head and weep and be ashamed. “This was the song The renowned bard song. But Odysseus Pulled his great purple cloaks over his head And his handsome face. He was ashamed” (pg 259 line 92-95) Odysseus was nearly successful in keeping his tears and weeps to himself the only one who saw him was King Alcinous who said after Demodocus sang his first song that they should go outside and compete in some contest like wresting, jumping and running. “Hear me, Phaeacian nobles and lords. We have had enough of feasting now, And of the lyre that complements a feast. We should go outdoors for