Eumaeus, the loyal swineherd, introduces himself to a disguised Odysseus through a short speech on pages 303-304, lines 63 – 110. It is important to note that throughout the speech Eumaeus believes the identity of the disguised Odysseus is that of an old man wearing rags resembling that of a beggar. This speech exemplifies that the Greek culture during this time highly regards spirituality, hospitality, justice, vengeance, and the treatment of servants. Eumaeus’s personal values regarding loyalty, perseverance, and his ambitions are also revealed throughout his speech to Odysseus. The information provided throughout this speech is influential to the rest of the texts plot and impacts Odysseus’s decisions regarding how to deal with his estate. …show more content…
Eumaeus is a great example of a Greek citizen during this time. Many of his actions are universal amongst the Greek culture and his beliefs also very similar. Eumaeus’s speech makes references to Greek gods on multiple occasions. Eumaeus begins by stating that every beggar comes from the god Zeus and that is wrong to send a stranger away for this reason (303, 64-66). This passage shows that Eumaeus believes that it is his responsibility as a follower of Zeus to help Odysseus, a stranger wearing rags in need of shelter. Eumaeus’s willingness to help a stranger reinforces the claim that acting based on the will and principles of a God is a common practice in Greek culture. Eumaeus also mentions that the only explanation for Odysseus’s absence is that the gods have blocked his return (303, 71). He believes that if the gods willed it, Odysseus would have already returned home. This passage shows how in Greek culture the gods are believed to have control over all aspects of life. Both mentions of gods within this speech exemplify the influence of spiritual beliefs on Greek culture. Hospitality is a reoccurring theme throughout Eumaeus’s speech and the plot of the text. The concept of hospitality in Greek culture …show more content…
This speech is Odysseus’s first account of what exactly is occurring in his estate and leads to the formulation of a plan to retake the estate from the suitors. The speech also shows Odysseus that Eumaeus is someone that he can trust in the future to help him defeat the suitors. Eumaeus also discusses that vengeance is coming for the suitors (304, 101). This is an important element of what Odysseus is planning for much of the rest of the text. Later in the plot it becomes clear that this vengeance that Eumaeus mentioned is delivered by Odysseus. The speech itself acts as foreshadowing for what is to come in the plot and allows for the progression of the current plot by giving Odysseus the information he requires to devise a course of
Odysseus’s revenge towards the suitors, whose only crime was the crime of theft, was unnecessarily cruel, after all, a hero must be able to forgive. It has been twenty years since anyone on Ithaka have seen, or even heard news about Odysseus. Therfore, it would have been perfectly pliable to pronounce him dead. “ He has been gone for twenty years.” The people of Ithaka were all under the impression that Odysseus, has in fact, passed a...
The introduction to this tale reveals a great deal of the importance of eloquence in speech, in this culture. Within moments of speaking Odysseus makes clear how important it is to speak well by comparing his ability to speak to the same abilities possessed by gods. Throughout this tale gods are used as a benchmark of the greatness of an individual, therefore for Odysseus to claim that his eloquence is the same as that of the gods is a bold claim and one he is certain he can back up. In the same introduction, Odysseus declares he is known for “all manner of wiles” (303).
This shows that Odysseus’ self-serving nature extends beyond material greed into the equally sinful realm of pride. In a classic display of hubris, Odysseus taunts the Cyclopes fulfilling the sole purpose of stroking Odysseus’s ego. At first it appears that our hero is lacking foresight, but Odysseus tells Polyphemus his name in hopes that tales of his cunning will spread throughout Greece: a very selfish goal, directly resulting in the endangerment of the lives of both him and his men throughout the remainder of their travels.
When tested to see his true character Eumeaus passes, and goes out to watch over the boars instead of sleeping inside with the rest of the hands. Further proving how much he cares for his master’s possessions, and by extend his master himself. Even he admits that he could have gone off by himself with the Odysseus gone, but stayed to watch of his master’s lands and property until the man returned.
The Greek value of hospitality is exhibited in The Odyssey by Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus and his hungry men entered an unfamiliar cave, which was home to the Cyclops. Once the Cyclops saw the men he asked why they are there, and in Odysseus's explanation he mentions “It was our luck to come here; here we stand beholden for your help, or any gifts you give-as custom is it to honor strangers” (line 194). Odysseus is tried to convince the cyclops to let him and his men live by using the Greek value of hospitality. He wants the Cyclops to view him as a guest, not food. To Odysseus it was second nature to help out a guest or person in need. While Penelope was speaking to the suitors she noted “Here is a poor man come, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave bits, to cram his bag” (line 1116). She shamed Antinous for not helping the man, because in Ithaca its is accustomed to provide the hungry and poor with food. The fact that Antinous “threw a stool” at Odysseus, and “banged his shoulder” appalled Penelope. The thought of doing such a thing was unheard of to Penelope since hospitality is a part of her way of life along with all other Greeks. The people of Ithaca from The Odyssey a...
Odysseus (Ulysses in Roman) was one of the great Pan-Hellenic heroes of Greek mythology. Famous for his courage, intelligence and leadership he was most recognized through his resourcefulness and oratory skills. Throughout classical literature and through many authors Odysseus’ characteristics have changed as much as the stories that surround him. The epic and tragedy I will focus on in particular is The Odyssey by Homer and Hecuba by Euripides. The defining characteristics of Odysseus ranges widely as is shown in Homer’s The Odyssey and Euripides’s Hecuba. The figure of Odysseus in homers The Odyssey is the antithesis of the Odysseus in Euripides Hecuba due to their historical contexts and respective audiences.
This tale coincides with the times in Greece. This was a time that art and Philosophy were extremely important and respected by the people. Odysseus was a new type of hero that didn’t win by overpowering his opponents, but by using his mind to outwit them. Manners also seemed to play an important role to Odysseus, as he was learned to be polite and generous to strangers and in the end punished those who weren’t.
Odysseus is a Foolish and selfish leader, who makes rash decisions that kill his men just for his own personal gain.
Odysseus displays his desire for glory through his careless actions during his encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus. The desire for glory Odysseus displays is shown through the words he speaks to Polyphemus. He is a clever character but makes rash decisions that affect the outcome of his original goals and intentions. While Odysseus is trapped inside of the cave of the Cyclops, he begins to taunt Polyphemus. “I called back to the Cyclops, stinging taunts: So, Cyclops, no weak coward it was whose crew you bent to devour three in your vaulted cave—with your brute voice! Filthy crimes came down on your own head, you shameless cannibal” (Fagles, 226). Odysseus was insulting the Cyclops, and those insults caused the rage of the monster to boil over. The Cyclops was already angry with Odysseus blinding him, and was even more demoralized and angry when Odysseus began to taunt him. As Odysseus goes on with his insults and as his anger rises, he says, “Cyclops—if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed—say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, La...
...nd deceit, he respected and honored the gods, and he respected his crew as well. Odysseus proved himself a great man by becoming humble but still retaining the amazing qualities that he already had. Overall, Odysseus was a great man capable of many things. He would put his own life on the line to save someone else’s. Putting one’s life on the line to save someone else’s the ultimate sacrifice. It is one that not many people are willing to make. People in this world are selfish and do not want to give of themselves for others. Though Odysseus starts out this way, he certainly did not end up this way. By the end of the epic poem, Odysseus is the picture perfect person. Everyone hopes to achieve this status; by some it has already been done. As a result, the world becomes a better place, and with progressions such as these, it is becoming better every second.
He used the disguise to learn about what has been going on the in past 20 years while he had been gone. In knowing who he could trust, he could make plans to attack the suitors. First, Odysseus the beggar, went to the swineherd Eumaeus and learned more about the suitors, Eumaeus and his story. Odysseus found out that Eumaeus was still loyal to him. When Odysseus the beggar tells Eumaeus that Odysseus is about to come home, “Eumaeus doesn’t want to get his hopes up, and in his weariness, it’s clear that his love and regard for his king is undiminished after all these tears.”(enotes). The reason Eumaeus acts like this is because he had been tricked before by Aitolian. Aitolian came to Eumaeus because he had killed somebody and was now traveling around the world. He went to Eumaeus and told him that he had seen Odysseus in Crete and that he would come back either that summer or in autumn (Homer 165-166) but Odysseus never came. Later in the story, with the help of Telemachus, Odysseus used his disguise to get into his own house and to learn more about the different suitors. After a night at his own house, Penelope asked Odysseus to go meet her. After they had a talk, Penelope asked the old nurse Eurycleia to wash Odysseus. When Eurycleia, the old nurse, was washing Odysseus, she noticed the scar on his leg and said “surely tha’rt my baby! And I never knew thee till I had felt my master all over!”(Homer 222).
In The Odyssey, Homer, or more so, the characters, often referred to Odysseus as the ‘Great Odysseus’. In the text, it is obvious to see that Odysseus demonstrates arrogance, charisma, over-confidence, and pride. Odysseus and his m...
Odysseus’ has hubris and excessive pride in himself, the gods he believes in, and his accomplishments, which hold him back and do not allow him to reach hero potential. The pride that Odysseus has in his name is visible throughout his entire tale he is telling to the Phaiakians and King Alkinoos. Starting the story of his journey, Odysseus already begins to display his hubris when he explains to his hosts who he is and where he hails from. After stating that he is the son of King Laertes of Ithaka, Odysseus shares that, “Men hold me formidable for guile in peace and war: this fame has gone abroad to the sky’s rim” (IX, 21-23). He believes that he is so well known that the Phaiakians should know him from t...
Athena had advised Odysseus that the best way to become reintroduced into his home, would be to first see what had changed. However the only way for him to do this would be to do it as a beggar. When Odysseus finally returned to Ithaca, Athena had him disguise himself at first to see what has changed in the 20 years he had been gone. He spoke with the shepherd Eumaeus about all the
Odysseus appears incapable of compassion or concern for others, as he continues scheming and doing harm to others with an idea of achieving success. This clearly shows that Odysseus is to use wits over strength to his best ability. Neoptolemus’ response highlights his morals and his urge to remain honest while also helping Odysseus and sticking to his word.