Book 24: Warriors, Farewell

Agammemnon
Hermes led the suitors down to the underworld where Akhilles and I were talking. I was telling him about what happened on the front after he died. His mother and all of the sea nymphs came to mourn him and brought many gifts from the gods. We finally burned him after days of mourning and sacrifice. I told him that he would always be remembered. When the suitors arrived, I was surprised that so many young men had died. I asked them what had happened and they recounted the whole story (of Odysseus’s return as a beggar, deceit, the contest and his final slaughter.) They might have expected sympathy but they got no such pleasure from me. As horrible as it is, I somewhat rejoiced in their deaths. It was news of Odysseus’s safe return home and that Penelope had remained faithful to him through all the adversity. I was so happy to hear all women weren’t adulterers like my wife.

We somehow managed to make peace.

Odysseus
There is something in my nature that makes me feel I have to test others. I don’t know what it is! I went to see my dear father after all these years and I couldn’t go to him and tell him I was his son. Was it from all these years of never knowing who is my friend? Did I even have the right to withhold my identity from him? I had to make him suffer before I told him who I truly was. Maybe I just needed reassurance that he still loved me and wanted me to come home. Unlike with Penelope, I never had any fear my father would kill me; he would have no reason. His grief got to me, awakened my compassion, and I had to tell him I was Odysseus. I threw my arms around him and we cried. Then, he bathed and dressed in new clothes and we sat down to lunch with Telemakhos, the swineherds and the workers. I snapped at one of the workers because (after realizing it was me) he asked if we should send a messenger to tell Penelope. I must’ve just been defensive because of the suitors or something… When the people of Ithaka discovered the suitors’ deaths, many took arms and set off to kill us. We were just finishing lunch when they came down the path. Everyone got ready for battle, but before we could actually fight, Mentor came and told my father to throw his spear at Eupeithes. Telemakhos and I then moved in to finish up the work and we would have killed them all, but Athena told us to stop and make peace. And we did. Telemakhos didn’t get to prove himself in this battle, but he was ready; I know he was. I could have fought and killed them easily but Athena (who may just be a part of me) told me to stop. “[I] yielded to her, and [my] heart was glad” (Odyssey 462).

Book 23: The Trunk of the Olive Tree

Odysseus
I told Eurykleia to go fetch Penelope and tell her I was home. When they came downstairs, Penelope sat as far away from me as possible. Telemakhos scolded her for being so skeptical that it was me but I guess I couldn’t really blame her. I was caked with dirt and blood; how could I expect her to recognize me? I took a bath, perhaps hoping that would reassure her but she still didn’t believe it was me. She saw my person in front of her but it just wasn’t enough. Penelope began to test me. She told Eurykleia to pile our bed with linens and let me sleep there, outside the bedchamber I had built. I was enraged by the thought of someone moving our bed! And then I realized that was the sign. We two knew that our room had been built around the trunk of an olive tree. Penelope came to me and apologized for having to test me and being so coldhearted. I cried when she was in my arms, but I don’t like to talk about that. I told her about my mission to go inland and make sacrifices. We went to bed and talked for hours before finally falling asleep, together at last.

Penelope
I’m not sure if Odysseus truly understood why I couldn’t go to him. I’m not even sure if I really understand. It’s like my dream, with the geese. I was sad to see them go, but I didn’t know why. If the geese were the suitors, why would I be sad they were gone? Could it just be that after all these years of hurt and false hope I couldn’t bear to let myself actually believe in something? Or did I really not want him to come back? No, that can’t be it; I love him! Of course I wanted him to come back. It must havbe just been I didn’t want to get hurt again. Eurykleia woke me up from my peaceful sleep to tell me Odysseus had returned! But I was content to stay there in sweet sleep rather than cross the potentially painful frontier of Odysseus’s return. I had become accustomed to numb pain, maybe I just didn’t want the wound to open up again.

Book 22: Death in the Great Hall

Odysseus

It felt so satisfying to finally kill all those suitors! I know I shouldn’t be happy right now (especially since I told Eurykleia not to be) but I really can’t help it! We slaughtered those stupid suitors and Antinoos was the first to go. The others quickly followed, shot down by my bow or brutally killed by Telemakhos or the swineherds. My son went to go fetch more weapons and armor for each of us but he left the door open and Melanthios got weapons for all the suitors. I was horrified when I saw they had armor and for a moment, I doubted whether we’d be able to win. I wondered who had given them the weapons, Melathios or disloyal servants, and Telemakhos took all the blame for it. This was very impressive to me and I thought it really signified Telemakhos’s coming of age and responsibility for himself and his actions. Unfortunately, there was little time in the battle to express such suppressed pride. Melanthios went back to the storeroom for a second load and the swineherd and Telemakhos captured him, bound him, hoisted him into the air and left him there to suffer. I had no mercy for him after what he did to me. Athena came in the form of Mentor (or at least I suspected it was her.) I begged the goddess to side with us and she did, deflecting many a spear from hitting us. I killed a man; one who begged for mercy at my knees, claiming he had never offended me. Mercy never even crossed my mind. However, I did spare Phemios, the minstrel, and Medon, at Telemakhos’s request. When all the killing was done, I told Eurykleia to bring the unfaithful maids to clean up the mess. When they were finished, I ordered them to be killed as well and they were hung in my courtyard. They betrayed me and they got their punishment. Melanthios was brutally tortured and killed as well for his disloyalty.

Telemakhos
I respect my father, I guess, but sometimes I really don’t understand him. He brought about the death of so many men and he was never sorry for it. But when Eurykleia wanted to celebrate, he reminded her it wasn’t pious to be outwardly happy that the suitors were dead. He’s really a hypocrite, how can he say that? He just killed the majority of the suitors, now he’s worrying about being all pious? Does he consider what is loved by the gods to be pious? Athena showed her approval of this plan so does that mean the battle was pious. Certainly reclaiming what is rightfully yours is a pious cause but did Odysseus go about it in the wrong way?

Book 21: The Test of the Bow

Odysseus

There was some really weird stuff going on tonight. First, Penelope went down to get the bow and the axe heads to set up the contest for her hand. I was very surprised when Telemakhos wanted to be the first one to try. He made up some unbelievable excuse that made me question his real motives. Okay, that might be a little bit unfair of me, I guess. I suppose it is sort of believable that he wanted to string the bow in order to see if he was worthy to carry on in my place but he knows I’m already here. Has my son grown up to be so insecure of himself that he needs a solid test to prove himself? Perhaps, but nevertheless, this was not the time for that test to take place. The fact that he wanted to do this during a contest for his mother’s hand worries me a bit. However, I stopped him after his third attempt to string the bow. Telemakhos was very disheartened by this failure; it kind of sent him over the edge. Most of the suitors then took their turns and none of them had more luck than my son. Some thought it impossible to string or shoot the bow. They even heated and greased the bow, hoping that it might somehow string more easily. Meanwhile, I gathered myself allies. I told the swineherds my secret and they swore to help me fight off the suitors. Antinoos, being the coward he is, said that they should postpone the contest for a feast. I know he was just afraid he wouldn’t be able to string the bow. This was when I stepped in and asked for a try. The suitors were completely outraged at the thought that a ragged beggar might string the bow they could not. They tried to stop me, but Penelope and Telemakhos wanted to allow me a try. The suitors found Telemakhos trying to exercise his authority rather funny and somehow in that fit of laughter, I got the bow. After inspecting it (under the mockery of the suitors,) I strung it easily and the arrow flew through all twelve axe heads. The time had come to bring doom upon the suitors.

Book 20: Signs and a Vision

Odysseus
As I went to bed, I saw many of the servants going outside to the suitors’ beds. I was so enraged, I wanted to cut them all down at that moment. I managed to hold in my anger, but I will probably kill them all later anyway. I was enraged that my maids were so unfaithful to me but even more so that Penelope’s prospective suitors didn’t even care enough about her not to sleep with her maids. What pigs! Athena came to me, because I couldn’t sleep, and I told her my doubts about being able to kill the suitors. She reassured me and then rained soft sleep upon my eyes. In the morning, I prayed to Zeus to send a sign and that someone in the house might interpret it. Zeus thundered from the heavens and a servant prayed that I might return. Eurykleia continued with her duties as usual, readying the hall for the suitors’ feast. Philoitios addressed me kindly ans spoke about his concerns that Odysseus might never return. I tried to reassure him, feeling badly that one so loyal felt so little hope. Ktesippos threw a cow’s foot at me later but I dodged it. Telemakhos gave him a severe lashing for this. At the suitors proposal that he hand Penelope off to one of them, Telemakhos said he would never make her do anything against her will. My blood boiled when the suitors laughed at his concern for her.

Telemakhos
Odysseus clearly has some mental problems and he even begins to admit it here. However, when he has his realization, Athena distracts him from the true goal. He begins to doubt whether he, one man, can actually slay all the suitors by himself. Athena stops him from having these doubts and so further allows him to deny the real problems in his life. She enables him to believe that he can just muscle his way through life without facing emotional problems. The internal conflict within Odysseus is similar to that of the conflict with the suitors. He compares his internal and external problems (the suitors) to dogs.

Book 19: Recognitions and a Dream

Odysseus
Telemakhos and I hid all the weapons so the suitors couldn’t get them when we attack. If they miss them, I’ve told my son to tell them that he wanted to move them out of the smoke because they have blackened over the years. An unfaithful maid named Melantho bothered me for the second time today. I plan to kill all the impertinent, disloyal servants when I have my revenge on the suitors. I talked to Penelope and tried to reassure that Odysseus was on his way. She is losing hope fast, though, and she even plans to have a contest to see who she will marry! Not that I am worried, the suitors won’t even be able to lift their bows before I kill them all. I feel somewhat guilty, deep down, for making my wife endure this pain any longer. But what if she is unfaithful? I certainly cannot take the risk of telling her. Is Penelope too clever and kind to ever fall into the trap of disloyalty? I do not know, nor do I want to know the answer if it as I sometimes greatly fear. My stories still brought Penelope great joy and I am now an honored guest in her house. She offered to have me anointed but I said only the oldest, wisest servant could, as they would know all I had been through. Penelope immediately called Euryklea and she saw my true self at once. I tactfully told her that many people thought Odysseus and I were quite alike and avoided having the truth revealed. However, when Euryklea was washing my feet, I realized she would see the scar on my leg and recognize me at once. She did and when she realized I was home at last, she didn’t know what to say. I threatened her, making it clear that if she let slip my true identity, she would die after the suitors, but she promised to keep mum. It was strange that after seeing her for the first time after all these years, our meeting began with hostility. Shortly after, Penelope came to me asking me to interpret a dream she had. There were geese eating feed outside her house and then an eagle swooped down to slaughter them all. Penelope was rather sad that the geese were dead but then the eagle came down and turned into Odysseus. She didn’t believe that this dream actually meant anything; if only she knew how much it actually does mean.

Book 18: Blows and a Queen's Beauty

Odysseus

The beggar Iros rudely tried to take the doorstep from me. He, like the suitors, seemed to want to take food that wasn’t his to begin with, all to himself. People like that bother me so much! The gods smile upon them and give food to feed their bellies but they would never help a man of lesser fortune than themselves (and perhaps that man is even what they were…) I told Iros there was room enough for us both, but he refused my generosity and we decided to fight. Iros was very frightened when he saw my muscular build, but there was no backing down by the time he saw what strength my rags had concealed. Antinoos offered a goat stomach to the winner and when I beat Iros and dragged him outside the gate, he presented it to me. Amphinomos also gave me two brown loaves and some wine in a fine gold cup. Recognizing that he was clear-headed, I warned him that the return of Odysseus was shortcoming. Despite my warning, however, he did not leave because it was Athena’s will that all the suitors be slaughtered.

Guest Blogger Athena
I made Penelope want to be seen among the suitors so that Odysseus would see her beauty. She didn’t want to pretty herself up for it, though, so I did that for her while she was sleeping. She descended the stairs and talked of marriage with the suitors. They hurried to send squires to fetch gifts for her. Odysseus was very amused that she toyed with them in this way, talking of marriage, but the truth may be that she actually is considering it. Only time will tell, because I cannot…

Book 17: The Beggar at the Manor

Odysseus

Eumaios brought me down to my palace to beg today. Telémakhos left in the early morning so Penélopê might see him and no longer be afraid for his safety anymore. We left later and encountered Melanthios, the goatherd on our way. He abused Eumaios for being with me and even kicked me, called me a stinking beggar, and accused me of never working. After he kicked me, I had a very hard time containing myself. I could kill him in two seconds! But knowing that may give away the plan, I continued on seemingly uncaring. Thoughts of revenge were my one comfort. When we finally got to the manor, I saw the puppy that I had trained, Argos, was old and mistreated. I wept at the sight of him, and perhaps because the sight of him foretold what had happened to the rest of my home. When we got inside, I begged for bread from each of the suitors and most, though surprised I was there, gave it to me. One, Antinoos, had a huge problem with me being there. He spoke poorly of me and I tried to get him to understand all I had been through but he merely interrupted and insulted me again. When I tried to teach him some respect (he really needs to get some) he called me impertinent and threw his stool at me! There could have been a huge fight but it was broken up before it got too serious. I agreed to meet with Penélopê and tell her what news I had of Odysseus.

There's me, represented in a very crocodilesque way, eating Antinoos, and the fuzzy, pink bunny in the background leaning on me? Yeah, that's Telemakhos.

What I really just cannot comprehend is how the suitors treat me like I have so much less right to their stolen food (and by suitors, I generally mean Antinoos…) It’s my food (which they technically don’t know, but they should know it’s not their food, however, sometimes I think this simple fact is a bit too much for them to get.) They’re no more than beggars in someone else’s house, too. Just because they are supposedly of higher birth than my beggar alter-ego, they feel that they have the right to be the “head beggars” or whatever, and chase me away from all the food! Not cool guys, but I guess you’ll get your punishment soon.
Just pretending that I know this… I found it very informative that Penelope said “…if he comes again, no falcon ever struck more suddenly than he will, with his son, to avenge this outrage.” This leads me to believe that Penelope had a lot to do with Telemakhos’ regression. Maybe it wasn’t just my fault after all! She makes Telemakhos so much less important than me it’s almost like ‘oh we don’t need you to do anything Telemakhos, Odysseus will save us!’ What’s up with that? How’s he going to grow up and be a man if you never give him any responsibilities or expect him to solve problems on his own? Wow, I’m such a hypocrite…

*Disclaimer: This may be a slightly imaginative interpretation of Odysseus' actual thoughts*

Book 16: Father and Son

Odysseus
I couldn’t believe it when Télémakhos, my son, appeared at the door. The swineherd greeted him as though he was his son, but I could not, because of my disguise and the necessity of keeping my true identity secret. He soon sent Eumaios to tell Penélopê of his safe return. Athena beckoned me outside and changed me back to my younger state; she thought it was time to tell my son the truth. I went back inside and Télémakhos was startled and frightened by my new appearance, taking me for a god. I finally convinced him, though, that I was none other than his father, Odysseus. We wept for a long time, so glad to finally be reunited. Once we had recovered, we discussed strategy for killing the suitors. He warned me we were very outnumbered, but with Athena and Zeus at our side, we shouldn’t have too much of a problem. It was decided that I would go to the manor as a beggar, my son would take away the suitor’s weapons (using as an excuse the smoke was not good for them), and we would gather up loyal fighters to assist us if need be. Eumaios told us that the suitor’s got word that Télémakhos was still alive, both from the messengers and the fact that their ambush ship came back, and were probably still plotting to kill him. It may be a long, hard battle with impossible odds but I think we will fight honorably. It gladdens me how much confidence I put into my son by just coming home.
It was amazing to me how Télémakhos could not believe that I was his father at first. He said “all my life your fame as a fighting man has echoed in my ears…” (Odyssey 297). Here he acknowledges so great I was supposed to be, so why would he have such a hard time believing I was his father and not a god? I think what he said here also indicates another very important view of me. To him, I hardly existed, if I actually did at all. An echo is perhaps something so distant that it can hardly be heard. Maybe I was so distant to my own son that he could hardly believe I was really there. He took my grand appearance to be a god’s and I was supposedly very legendary and god-like to him, but since he couldn’t really imagine me actually coming home, he just assumed the other option: god. I see now how much my son needed me. He is afraid to fight the suitors and gives up too easily in general. I inspired him to be courageous. If I had been doing that his whole life, where would he be now? Looking back now, I wonder where I could have dawdled less to get home sooner and take care of my son.

Book 15: How They Came to Ithika

Guest Blogger Télémakhos
Athena came to me as I lay awake pondering what I had heard about my father. She instructed me to sail swiftly back to Ithika under cover of night. I also learned that those stupid suitors are trying to kill me! (I guess I would kill them if I could, but that would be justified because they started it!) At Dawn the next morning, I went to the king and thanked him graciously for his hospitality, but told him regretfully that I must now return home. They sent me off with a goblet, silver wine bowl, and a fine robe for my future wife. As we were about to depart, a great eagle flew off holding a goose in its talons. Helen thought this to mean my father would soon return to deal out justice to the suitors. I certainly hoped she was correct and that was the second time that day I had been told my father’s homecoming was approaching. Now that it seems so close, I’m not really sure what to feel about it. We made it to Nestor’s house, or would have had I not decided to ship off immediately upon arriving. (I didn’t want to be “forced” into staying a long time, I had to get home.) Before departing, I met a man by the name of Theoklýmenos. He asked for passage on our ship and I agreed with generosity in my heart. We had a fair wind all the way home and when we landed, I asked one of my most trustworthy men to care for our guest. We saw another sign that prophesized my father’s return: a dove being ripped apart by a hawk. I then went to seek shelter with Eumaios, the swineherd.

Odysseus
Okay, first of all, how on earth would Helen just be able to tell what that eagle/goose thing meant? I really wonder if she just made that up unconsciously, there’s no way she could know that I’m coming home to give those suitors what they deserve. I think people often believe just what they want to, much more than they should. Maybe she felt bad for Télémakhos because his father was missing so, whether meaning to or not, made that up to make him happy. I think this is extremely possible because people sometimes focus solely on what they expect or want to happen so will interpret vague happenings any way that suits them. Eumaios and my “new self” have become pretty close in the past few days. He is a very good man, and would probably care for anyone. I said I would go into the town to beg in the street as I did not want to burden him. He was insulted that I would even think such a thing and insisted that I must stay. We told stories of our hardships and when I asked, he told me how he came to Ithika. He was kidnapped more or less by his caregiver when she decided to leave with a random crew. When she died, he was quite frightened but luckily, he was sold to my father, who was always kind to him.

Book 14: Hospitality in the Forest

Odysseus
I sought out my old loyal swineherd as Athena suggested. He lived in a secluded cottage, quite alone apart from his assistants. The watch dogs tried to attack me when I approached but the old man held them off. I told Eumaios my story, well the story of the old man at least, and it was certainly a perilous journey. Supposedly, he had known me in battle. After the war he returned home but was soon called across the sea and was stuck for seven some years before he went to live with a Phonikian adventurer. He knew the man was sly and wanted to sell him as a slave but had no choice but to go along with it, however, Zeus destroyed the ship and he floated to safety on the island of King Alkínoös. I told him it was there that I received word of Odysseus. I was then enslaved by the kings men and brought to Ithika to be sold as a slave but I escaped and found hospitality in your home, said I. Eumaios was extremely distrustful of stories of me and I found him with a suspicious heart. His heart was still good enough, though, to give me shelter and food.

I still sort of wonder why I had to come into Ithika with a disguise. I desperately want to see my wife and let her know that I am safe, that I will protect her and tend to her every need from now on. Why can’t I just storm right up to my house and declare I have returned? Is it because of the advice from Agamemnon? I believe Athena told me it would be best if I wore a disguise also, but I’m not really sure why and what is the right moment to unveil myself as King Odysseus. Was I the one who wanted to disguise in the first place but just didn’t know it? I always seem to be disguising myself, don’t I? I don’t trust many with my true identity. I told Alkínoös the truth but was it just for personal gain? I feel as though he would give much more treasure to a celebrated war hero than some random man who washed up on his shore. A name is a very honorable thing, but I often wonder if I hold mine too close and selfishly. I lie whenever a situation is uncomfortable, maybe just because I am in denial of the truth. Perhaps I don’t want to go home because I don’t want to face my responsibilities. When I finally enter the manor as myself, I will have to go back to my old life and my adventures may be over. As of right now, I am still a carefree wanderer.

Book 13: One More Strange Island

Odysseus
When I finished my story, Alkínoös had my ship loaded up with assorted treasures. We then said our farewells and I departed for home. The following day, I found myself lying on a strange beach surrounded by my gifts. At first, I thought I had been tricked and marooned on some unknown island. However, a passing fisherman told me that I was in Ithika. I had a long story to explain my background but after I had finished telling it, the fisherman dissolved to take the form of a beautiful woman. She confessed herself to be Athena, told me she had been helping me for quite some time, and vowed to stand behind me when I fought the suitors. She soon left me to bring Télémakhos back from Sparta, but before departing disguised me with magic, turning me into an old man.

Poseidon's temple gives a great scope of his unparalleled power and fierceness.

I just found out that Poseidon punished the Phaiákians for helping me! I feel really horrible about that. Alkínoös certainly seemed to know that someday they woupd be punished by Poseidon for helping s guest but they didn’t even seem to hesitate to help me. I wonder why this was… there are a few possible options I can think of. He might have been too afraid to offend a guest who might not have fulfilled the prophecy or perhaps they had forgotten about it or doubted that it would happen right then. Hey wait! I even told them that Poseidon was mad at me. They were very generous to help me after that. Once one loses the favor of the gods, they seem to lose it for a very long time. Once the gods hate you , that’s really it. I could probably sacrifice 100 heifters to Poseidon and he wouldn’t be satisfied. Was it worth it worth it for the Phaiákians to help me at the expense of angering Poseidon? I guess that depends on how angry Poseidon is and how grateful I am.

Book 12: Sea Perils and Defeat

Odysseus
We went to recover the body of Elpênor and gave him a proper burial. Kirkê joined us and told me of the perils we faced. Her advice was very similar to Teirêsias’s prophecy. She told me that we would have to sail past the Seirênês, women who used their singing to lure sailors to their death. When we came to them, upon my instruction, my crew tied me to the mast after I put beeswax in their ears. We sailed past unharmed, but there was more peril yet to come. Next came the monster Skylla and the maelstrom Kharybdis. Kirkê warned me that six of my men would be lost to Skylla and they were; I mourned the loss of my friends and felt pity in my heart. We made it past Kharybdis to the island of Hêlios. My men convinced me to stay there although I wanted to heed the advice of Kirkê and Teirêsias. They both predicted grave danger should we disturb the immortal cattle there. We had no intent to harm the cattle but as months of storms went by, the men grew hungry and while I was asleep, killed some of Hêlios’s sacred herd. Apparently (I was later told this) Zeus promised to sink our ships for Hêlios. He kept this promise, my ships were scattered to bits in the middle of the sea and I was the only survivor. Afloat on part of the ship, I went back past Skylla and Kharybdis to the island of Calypso.
I can’t understand why my men give into temptation so much! This is at least twice now (and I’m hardly even trying to count) that they have gotten us into HUGE trouble! I told them specifically that they must not, at all costs, touch the cattle. When they opened the bag of wind, they sent us all the way back to where we started. The same thing happened when they killed the cattle only they all died too... I, however, was basically right where I began and certainly no better off. What is it that makes them give into temptation so easily? With the wind, they did it for purely selfish reasons but with the cattle, they were starving and needed food. Giving into temptation for selfish reasons had a much smaller effect than giving into vital temptation. Could this mean that giving into the id can have a variety of different consequences? I would probably say so. However, my men depended on their id-like state for food that day and that was what caused them to drown. Perhaps once they began to depend on their id, the sea (water!) was able to swallow them.

Book 11: A Gathering of Shades

Odysseus
My men and I were all terrified at the thought of going ashore in the land of the dead, but I needed to speak to Teirêsias’ shade. We dug a pit, poured milk, honey, sweet wine and water around it and last scattered barley. I sacrificed the lamb and ewe; their blood draining into the pit. The spirits gathered around it and I had to keep my sword drawn to fend them off. Elpênor came and told us to give him a proper burial. I saw my mother and eventually spoke to her, learning that she had slowly pined away when I failed to come home. This brought me endless grief and I began to think my mother’s shade was sent to make me miserable. Teirêsias told me that Poseidon had it in for me because I blinded his son… oops! He said when we landed on Thrinakia we shouldn’t steal from Hêlios’s herd. I learned of the suitors at my house and the thought made my head blurry with anger. He also told me that if I made a sacrifice to Poseidon in a land where people don’t know the sea, then went home to make hecatombs, I would die a gentle death.

It's a big ocean, would I drown without the help of the gods?

It always seems as though I’m getting help from some god or mystical being. I wonder why this is, do they think I can’t do things on my own? I guess if I count how many times gods have saved my life maybe I can’t. I suppose I am not that different from Télémakhos in my dependency on the gods… Actually, my situation might be the slightest bit different. I am usually saved by a god when another god preys on me. So it could be thought of as evening the playing fields rather than just pushing me along. Can I still be considered a hero if the gods help me so much? I still solve many problems on my own. I escaped the Cyclopes without godly assistance. I went to go face Kirkê alone, even though I was afraid. Hermês did help me in the end, but I took the initiative to save my men. There no gods at my side at world’s end. I was given instructions but I was brave enough to follow them. To a certain point, a hero can get helped by gods (he’d be a fool not to be) I think it’s how he deals with the advice that makes him a hero. A lesser man might be too afraid to, for example, go to world’s end, even though the gods told him to.

Book 10: The Grace of the Witch

Odysseus
My story continued with my crew and I arriving on Aiolia Island. I told the king there of the Trojan war and after we stayed a while, he sent us off with gifts and provisions. His help was greatly needed and brought us unimaginable relief. Aiolos also bestowed upon us the gift of wind, enclosed in a huge bull hide bag. Nine days after we sailed from Aiolia my men grew jealous of my gifts and warm receptions. They decided to steal whatever was in the large bag. A hurricane pushed us back to Aiolia and no one can imagine the shame of having to go before Aiolos again, but this time, he would offer no help. We wandered at sea and finally came upon an island of savage people. They ripped apart two of my men but we managed to escape, despite our grief and horror. The next island was inhabited by the goddess Kirkê. I sent a platoon to her hall, only one man returned, terribly shaken and saying the rest went in and never came out. I knew we had to get them out so I swallowed my fear and went into the woods. Hermês met me and gave me instructions so that I might not be enchanted and turned into a pig like my crew. I ate the magical herb that made me immune to her wine and when she approached me with her stick, I drew my sword. I made her swear an oath not to harm me and sheltered us for many months. She obliged when I asked to leave, but told me that we must travel to the land of the dead in order to get home.

Guest Blogger Penélopê
Everyday, I die a little inside and hope my beloved husband will return to me. I can see now at least some of the hardships he has faced. Odysseus is a brave man and the forgiving gods of heaven would not allow him to be tested so if they didn’t believe he could handle it. He is such a typical man, though. I just wish he was a little different from the rest of them. The suitors treat me like a prize to be won. I’m sure my husband would never be so brainless and I don’t doubt he loves me but it’s like a sword in my heart when I hear of all the goddesses he has slept with! He doesn’t even seem to care what I would think; it never occurs to him that I would disapprove. But I suppose that’s just how our society is, isn’t it? I turn down suitors every night because my heart belongs to my husband but he can sleep with a different goddess every night and still say his heart belongs to me. In situations like this he, and the rest of humankind, rationalize their actions. (For example, Odysseus could think ‘I need to sleep with Calypso tonight or else she won’t help me.’) I just wish he understood I don’t whatever stupid reason he makes up to feel less guilty (if he feels guilty at all.) He should know never to do it in the first place because it is unfair for the two of us to have different “rules” about what is acceptable to do and still call yourself a loyal spouse.

Book 9: New Coasts and Poseidon's Son

Odysseus
King Alkínoös finally knows my story, or part of it at least. I figured he deserved the truth after all he has done for me. After the battle of Troy, we cast off but the current carried us out to sea before he reached home. We landed on the coastline of the Lotos eaters. They appeared kind but the sweet Lotos they gave to my men made them forget their desire to go home. Shortly after we escaped, we found ourselves in the land of the Kyklopês. Their vast sheep herds were very tempting as we hadn’t eaten in several days. We decided to see if one would be hospitable to us and keep us as honored guests. Little did we know that they do not live by the laws of men. The Kyklopês trapped us in his cave and slowly ate most of my men. Somehow, we managed to get him drunk and stab his eye out. When he yelled out for help he said “Nohbdy’s tricked me!” because I told him my name was Nohbdy. I then lashed my men in between sheep and clung to one myself. We escaped when the giant let out his sheep and as we sailed away I called back and taunted him, finally telling him my true name.

Odysseus: Lion heart or cowardly lion?

Guest Blogger Télémakhos
My father is considered to be a great war hero, I can’t argue with that. However, this new knowledge of my father is rather startling to me. His arrogance is the only reason he did not come home years ago. If he hadn’t taunted the Cyclops from the boat and told him his real name, the Cyclops never would have asked his father not to let Odysseus come home. It also displays cowardice that he would only taunt him from the safety of the ship. Can he really be considered a hero if he is so thoughtless and even cruel once he is out of danger? My father seems to be a kind of manipulative man but people will look right over that because he is a hero. Can heroes “slack off on the job” once people have labeled them as a hero? I would say yes but it is not right. Odysseus yelled to the Cyclops “If I could take your life I would…” (Odyssey 161). An ideal hero would never say that, even to someone who had just done them a terrible wrong. This is a generalization, but judging from this, I bet a lot of famous heroes aren’t really all they’re said to be. Although they may sound like gods, they are only human and can have as much cowardice and arrogance as anyone.

Book 8: The Songs of the Harper

Odysseus
I spent last night feasting to the glory of the gods, but it wasn’t exactly pleasing to me. There was a wonderful array of food and many gifts were bestowed upon me (a robe and a bar of gold for each of the thirteen lords.) The young men competed in an array of athletics and challenged me to join them. I naturally refused as I sadly knew that I was worn out by the sea and would probably have no chance to win. Laódamas saw my refusal as an excuse to mock me and detract from my honor. Naturally, I had to play a few games. Everyone was especially impressed with my discus throw and assured the crowd I could compete equally well in nearly all other competitions. Once this was all done with, we set out for the ship and my journey home continued.
Oh, I just wanted to mention that I may have skipped over a tiny little part of what happened. You see, there was this minstrel who kept playing the harp. I wouldn’t normally mind, I even enjoyed some of his pieces. However, he sang far too many tales of the war. Whenever it is mentioned or I am reminded of it, a chill goes up my spine. I can’t say why. People want to feel safe and secure (just as how I said the gods also want to feel safe and secure.) Frankly, reliving a war is a very traumatic experience. I miss the friends that perished on the fields. I should grieve for the loss of their families as well. So many, like mine have been split apart. And what drove us to war anyway? It was essentially a selfish quarrel between the gods. If the gods didn’t have such petty arguments, their actions wouldn’t cause men so much grief. I suppose it can work the other way around too, though. Seriously, I can’t believe how many times a day Athena saves my life… War is never good and it haunts me. I went into it with my friends, for honor and the spirit of brotherhood but came out alone and forgotten, a scruffy man without a name.

Book 7: Gardens and Firelight

Odysseus
A sea fog settled around me as I entered the city a safe time after the princess. I asked a small child to direct me to the house of Alkínoös. She brought me to the palace gates where I meditated for quite some time before everything. I knew that my return home could depend on the impression I made that night. I admired the grandness of the king’s gardens before entering, astounded by the amazing splendor. I went through the hall unnoticed until I reached Arêtê and begged for her mercy. One of the elders, Ekhenêos, did me a great kindness and asked the king to give me an honored place at his table (though I believe he would have anyway.) Alkínoös granted his wish and I feasted until my heart was content. My gladness to be back in civilization was unmatched except perhaps by what I will feel when I finally reach home. I told the king and queen my story and they had great sympathy for my plight. Though my father land is far, the king plans to transport me there. I’m so glad we have such a friendly society.

In many folk tales, the wolf is clever and well spoken but this never reflects his truly evil intent.

I have learned in my travels that it is very important to be tactful when speaking to others. I believe it is an art that can be mastered only through experience. This is wonderful for me because I have had such experience. The queen may have rejected me had I not addressed her in such a flattering and witty way. However, this language must also be a danger when it is acquired by those with evil intent. They could charm others with their sweet words and then pounce on their unsuspecting prey when they least expect it. So perhaps it is not so good that we set such store in fancy words, but what else can you use to determine a person’s character? I have no idea but I do know that sometimes those who constantly trip over their words have the purest of hearts.

Book 6: The Princess at the River

Odysseus
As I said before, I am delighted and utterly relieved to be safe on dry land. I thought I was surely going to die in that horrible storm. This morning I was awoken by lovely girls dancing by the river. When I emerged from the bushes, all but one ran because my appearance was so frightening. The other stood tall, waiting for me to address her. I greatly admired her aura and sense of power; I could not touch her knees so rather spoke extra gently in hope of winning her kindness. I soon learned she was Nausikaa, the daughter of Prince Alkínoös. Her maids gave me olive oil and offered to help me bathe but I refused, telling them I would much prefer to wash myself. Nausikaa gave me directions to the palace but decided we should arrive there at different times as not to attract unwanted attention. I was also given specific instructions to greet her mother first because my getting home, apparently, depends on whether or not her mother likes me.
I find it interesting how Nausikaa didn’t want to walk into town with me, for fear that people might gossip and she may be brought to shame. Again the question of honor appears; is it really dishonorable to walk with a man before you are married? All the rules of our culture say ‘yes’ but does it make sense? An unmarried man can walk with a woman, can’t he? Our rules are extremely biased towards men, and who made the rules of what is acceptable or not in the first place? Men. I think of my dear wife and how she is just as clever and worthy as any man, it saddens me greatly to think that she has such different restraints regarding honor. It is horrible the way they are thought of and how different their rights are! And the worst part is that this has been so drilled into me my whole life that it is very hard for me to even admit the wrong in it.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/ancientchix/

‘If only children could be got some other way without the female sex! If women didn’t exist, human life would be rid of all its miseries’.

Book 5: Sweet Nymph and Open Sea

Odysseus:

Yes! I’m so glad we got that idiot Telémakhos off here… (It’s a joke, people!) I am finally on my way home after all this time! Kalypso came to me with the idea that I should return home. I, of course, accepted this notion immediately but I can’t help but ask why she didn’t think of this sooner!?! It would have made my life so much easier… However, I suppose I shouldn’t be ungrateful seen as that I am at last headed home. Once Kalypso “helped” me build a boat and gave me provisions, I was sent off onto the sea to fend for myself. Being a sailor at heart, I didn’t mind this in the least, until Poseidon decided to loose his fury on me. The sea god conjured up a huge storm and I would have drowned had Ino not seen and taken pity on me. She gave me her veil so that I couldn’t be drowned and though I first thought it to ba a trap, I am now eternally grateful to her. I made it safely to land by some miracle.

Guest Blogger Telémakhos:

Hey everyone, I’m back to be the rational one. Just don’t tell my dad, he probably thought I was stealing the show or something… I was very interested by the fact that Zeus said, (regarding my father), “His destiny is to see his friends again under his own roof, in his father’s country.” (Odyssey 82). I certainly believe this as it was said by the Almighty Zeus himself but, I don’t know, I just wonder what fate would be if not for the gods. They seem to “decide” it and then they back up whatever their little scales say in whichever way they can. Is this to say the gods don’t have enough confidence in their own power to go against fate? And I wonder whether these destinies and dooms would even exist if no one believed in them. Perhaps if the gods didn’t care which way the scales initially tipped, they could tip them in whichever way that pleased them. Why don’t they dare to take the chance? I don’t believe they have any proof that they couldn’t turn the tables the way they wanted them. A great example of this resignation to fate is Hector’s death. All the gods aiding him fled from his side and Athena even worked against him to make the death quicker. Could the choices of these gods have changed fate? My father earlier commented on honor and staying inside the realm of comfort and security; it seems that gods as well as humans have a comfort zone and are unwilling to leave it. Could this be why the mightiest beings of heaven allow themselves to be commanded by something as abstract and illusive as fate?

Book 4: The Red-Haired King and His Lady

Guest Blogger Telémakhos
I finally reached the palace of Meneláos where I found him feasting in celebration of a double wedding. He welcomed me in as an honored guest, as seems proper, and spoke briefly of his adventures after the war. Meneláos angered the gods by not paying them proper homage before the voyage so they stranded him on an island where his crew slowly wasted away. Unable to return home or care for his crew, he found a rare solution from the goddess, Eidothea. She instructed him on how to get valuable information from her father, Proteus. Meneláos successfully captured Proteus who told him how to get home and gave him news of my father. Odysseus is trapped on the island of Kaylpso and unable to return home. I told him, “I find your tales and all you say so marvelous.” (Odyssey 70). I had never heard of any such adventures and the king’s cunning and bravery were certainly unmatched! However, I suppose I should be slightly distraught that Odysseus is detained by a nymph… How will he ever get home now?


Is Telémakhos beginning to see the world in a new light?

Odysseus
I can’t believe my own son hardly cares whether I am dead or alive, home or across the sea! Does he take the news of my plight so lightly? All he says upon hearing this is how marvelous Meneláos’s tales are? He doesn’t seem to care about me at all! But listen to me! I must seem so selfish, I suppose I should be rejoicing that Telémakhos grows less dependent upon me. Something has changed within him, and the fact that he thirsts for knowledge of the world around him rather than for news of me is certainly monumental. It may not be that he cares less about me, but rather that he is beginning to care more about something larger. When he began this voyage, he sought to bring me back so he could hide back inside the “cave” of childhood. But perhaps now he is beginning to see the light outside the cave and is opening his mind to new ideas that are so necessary to growth. If he does grow up, he will not want to return to the cave, even if I do return.

Book 3: The Lord of the Western Approaches

Guest Blogger Telémakhos

Our journey brought us to Neleus. There I spoke to Nestor, master charioteer, with my mentor at my side. He told us what had become of many Akhaians after the war but he had no news of my father. He suggested I travel to Meneláos in hope that he, as he has been abroad longer, will know something. At nightfall, the mentor dissolved into a seahawk and we knew at once that the daughter of Zeus had been in our presence. Nestor took me into his house graciously and the next day we had a grand feast, sacrificing a heifer with gilded horns to the glory of Athena. I left in company of Nestor’s son Peisístratos and we made quick time to Phêrai, moving on the next day. The kindness of these complete strangers was comforting but I’m beginning to feel very hopeless, or maybe the truth is finally coming out after being embedded in partial denial for so long. “…grievously though we miss my father, why go on as if that homecoming could happen? You know the gods had settled it already, years ago, when dark death came to him.” (The Odyssey 42). Part of me wants to believe but the facts and time work against this small hope. I can barely cling to it. I'm trying so hard to be strong (and I can't believe I'm admitting this) but it just feels like a front Pallas Athena helped me to put up, not my own... Where are you father?

Odysseus

Honor is obviously very important. One must be honorable to have any sort of worth in our society. “Athena liked his manners, and the equity that gave her precedence with the cup of gold, so she besought Poseidon at some length:” (The Odyssey 36). As shown here, it can also win one the favor of the gods. I would like to step back now, though, and wonder whether we depend too much upon honor. Niceties are necessary and kindness is great but we often focus our lives on honor. For example, my only son has abandoned his mother in search of the tiniest trace of me. Why? Does he really believe that I am alive? He said himself he did not. Telémakhos seeks to set things straight for in confirming that I am dead (or by some miracle alive) he can finally move on, burn my gear, give me a proper burial mound and the honor I deserve. But if I were dead anyway, why does it matter that much? Perhaps it is because of tradition, that it is the proper thing to do. These things left undone cause shame and dishonor to come to the neglector. But it is because we (society) have made it this way. If there was less misoneism in our world, we could follow our own ambitions without being tied down by old traditions. Don’t get me wrong, I’m honored my son is trying to find me, dead or alive, but perhaps he should realize that maybe he doesn’t need to give me proper honor to be able to move on with his life.

Book 2: A Hero's Son Awakens

Guest Blogger Telémakhos

I called an assembly of the Ithakans, just as my visitor suggested. The suitors firmly decided not to leave my father’s house. Curse them! I truly hope the gods give them what they deserve. Antínös said to me “… you should know the suitors are no to blame--/ it is your own dear, incomparably cunning mother./ For three years now—and it will soon be four--/ she has been breaking the hearts of the Akhaians…” (The Odyssey 21.) He actually had the nerve to say all this to me, blame the whole thing on my mother. It was a moment of vulnerability for me too; although it is hard to admit, my anger had driven me to the point of tears. We are the victims here; I don’t know what’s going to happen. All I know is that some immortal being has given me a purpose again so while my mother was asleep and unknowing, I sailed from Ithaka in hope of learning my father’s whereabouts. Odysseus will set everything right.

Odysseus
Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.
-Chinese Proverb

Pallas Athena speaks to the people of Ithaka through my son. I worry, though, that Telémakhos has not really “awakened” but is rather just parroting the grey-eyed goddess.
“Or if you learn that he is dead and gone,
then you can come back to your own dear country
and raise a mound for him, and burn his gear,
with all the funeral honors due the man,
and give your mother to another husband.”
-Athena, The Odyssey

Telémakhos repeats almost these exact words before the council but the credit for them seems to go to him. He sounds clever even though he just repeated the goddess. He is also only making this journey because Athena suggested it. He had no idea what to do until she came along. So does this sudden strength and plan to voyage make him greater? My son is suddenly so clear-headed yet the strength behind his speaking seems, unfortunately, to belong to the great goddess. When he expresses “his” wise ideas to the villagers, they are basically word-for-word what the goddess instructed him to do. But then I wonder if he can still be a hero, because heroes do often need mentors or a situation for them to find their heroicness (just as I said a son needs his father to become a man.) Perhaps Telémakhos must act off Athena’s will now, because this is such a big transition for him. I can only wonder if he will later be able to think for himself and proceed without the help of a goddess. I certainly hope Telémakhos will be able to enter the door Athena has opened for him or he will have no heroic worth whatsoever.

Book 1: A Goddess Intervenes

Guest Blogger Telémakhos, son of Odysseus
I was overwhelmed by the suitor’s in our house. How dare they? These suitors enrage me, all claiming they will win my mother when she is already married. My father has been gone for many years but I do not believe King Odysseus is dead. He must be merely delayed, as our visitor, Mentês, said. He told me he was an old friend of my father’s but I secretly believe my guest was immortal. Mentês gave me specific instructions to call an assembly of the islanders to send the suitors home and then travel to Sparta to speak to Meneláos for he is the last man home of all the Akhaians and he may have news of my father. I felt so lost and confused; I don’t know whether my own father is dead or alive. Of course I’d like to think he is, but living each day with such uncertainty is hard. However, I think things will get better when I follow our guest’s advice. It’s the only path I have.

Odysseus
My poor son, he has no father to guide him and I must say he is rather lost without me. A boy needs a father to show him how to be a man. If Athena had not intervened, Telémakhos may have been content to stay in the warm, protecting blanket of childhood forever. He had accepted that there was nothing he could do to find or help me. If only I were there I could teach him that crossing frontiers is hard, but necessary. It’s the only way we learn and grow. And Telémakhos has a lot of learning and growing to do if he ever hopes to be a good king.

Father and son relationships, of course, continue to be important into this century! However, in this instance, the father and son are usually separated by the father’s economic goals rather than the fact that someone *cough* *Poseidon* *cough* won’t let the father sail home. http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19930901-000031.html