Use Of The Greek Word Thymos In The Odyssey

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Cheyenne Smith
23 September 2015
Thymos

Homer’s use of the Greek word thymos in The Odyssey means a strong outpour of emotion from a character. Thymos occurs when an action-driven behavior is displayed because of a strong, over-powering emotion from within. One example of thymos occurs in Book 17 of The Odyssey. Athena has disguised Odysseus as a beggar upon his return to Ithaca. His disguise has fooled Eumaeus, his loyal swineherd, and has learned more about the suitors at the palace with his Queen Penelope. Meanwhile, Athena had left to find Telemachus. Athena spoke to Telemachus and told him to return home, but to stop at the swineherd’s home before returning to the palace. Upon Telemachus’ arrival, Odysseus was still disguised as the beggar. It was only when Odysseus saw Athena again, that she transformed him back into the man he was. Telemachus was in disbelief at first that the transformed beggar was his father. With the handiwork of a god, Odysseus was home alive and well. Both Odysseus and Telemachus’ emotions overcame their bodies: …show more content…

They cried out, shrilling cries, pulsing sharper
than birds of prey—eagles, vultures with hooked claws—
when farmers plunder their nest of young too young to fly.
Both men so filled with compassion, eyes streaming tears,
that now sunlight would have set upon their cries
if Telemachus had not asked his father, all at once,
“What sort of ship, dear father, brought you here?—
Ithaca, at last. Who did the sailors say they are here?
I hardly think you came back on foot

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