This book of the Odyssey is a bit of a grab-bag. It serves as a transitional passage, and sometimes seems a bit scattered; we witness Telemachus' journey home, his departure from Menelaus and his avoidance of Nestor at Pylos. Telemachus switches traveling companions (Pisistratus goes home; Theoclymenus arrives, complete with convoluted backstory). We have two bird omens (one read by Helen, the other by Theoclymenus, who is a fugitive, a seer, and Telemachus' new BFF). Finally, Telemachus arrives home. In between, we are treated to Eumaeus' own backstory, which involves a scheming woman, a randy sailor, the abduction of a child (young Eumaeus himself), goblet theft, high-seas adventure, and ultimately, the wrath of Artemis.
There are, however, some important moments in this book. What do you make of Athena's visit with Telemachus? She tells him Penelope might marry Eurymachus. Why does she tell him this? She also tells him to steer around the channel islands to avoid the suitors' ambush, and to visit the swineherd first. Why does she direct him there first? Why does she instruct him to send Eumaeus to Penelope, instead of going home first himself? Also, compare Menelaus' sendoff of Telemachus (p. 321, especially line 80) with the fear that Nestor will detain the young prince too long (p. 325). What do you think of Helen reading the bird omen (p. 324-25)? Is this a new view of the queen? Of women? Lastly, feel free to comment on Telemachus' demeanor in this book. Is he more a man upon his return than he was when he departed? Why or why not?
Overall I thought this book was confusing with the many changes of location. One moment we were with Telemachus and then we were with Eumaeus and Odysseus. When the book starts and Athena comes to visit Telemachus I think he was short, but necessary. She tells him that Penelope might marry Eurymachus because she wants Telemachus to get home. He has left the palace unguarded for too long and during that time his father has landed on Ithaca. Athena also directs Telemachus to the swineherd first because that is where Odysseus is staying. She wants him to finally meet his father so they then Odysseus can finally go home to his palace without the threat of maybe being accused or killed.
ReplyDeleteWhen Helen read the omen of the bird, I thought it showed the power that women have, especially the queen. She read the omen, not a man. I think Telemachus has grown though out his travels. He has met so many different people. When he is approached by Theoclymenus I think this was his biggest step up. If someone like Theoclymenus came to him before his journey I don’t think Telemachus would let him come on board with him. After what he learned about his father he maybe is striving to be more like him.
This book really was an aimless transition of sorts. Not all that much happened but a bunch of traveling and backstory. Anyways, Athena's visit to Telemachus was of great interest. In it, she gave him some of her famous counsel, the visit draws many connections between the boy and his great father, Odysseus. In Athena telling Telemachus that Penelope might marry a suitor imminently, she effectively speeds Telemachus' trip alone. He'll need all of the speed he can get to avoid the suitor's ambush while making good time. Not only does she tell him that, but in telling Telemachus to go to the swineherd Eumaeus, she creates an opportunity for Odysseus and Telemachus to meet up. Athena truly is the goddess of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteMenelaus' sendoff of Telemachus is hilarious. At first, he wants Telemachus to stay. However, the second that he hears of Telemachus' need to protect the goods of his father, he sends him off briskly with advise not to tell Nestor of his return. These Greek kings really know what they are doing. As for Helen's bird reading, I think that this is a piece of foreshadowing used to make us a bit more excited for the upcoming chapters. Throughout the past few books, there has been an increasing amount of foreshadowing that will all lead up to book 22, Slaughter in the Hall. The reading of the birds by Helen is also interesting because it supports the belief of the wise women. It has been a common theme in Greek culture.
I agree, this book was very random and slow. We were introduced to Theoclymenus who has nothing to do with the plot; as well for some reason, Homer wants to take up an entire book about Telemachus' journey back to Ithaca even though Homer covered roughly seven years of Odysseus' journey in about a paragraph. I just don't get it. I don't know what Homer is trying to achieve. If he is achieving anything, its fewer readers. There has been so much build up, 10 years actually, for Odysseus to arrive home. And when he finally does come home, he doesn't stride into his house, kill the suitors, and claim his wife, but instead, he decides to sit around for five books while the reader sits in anticipation/boredom. Again, I don't think Homer is doing himself and his story a favor by making the reader wait, he is making the book boring.
ReplyDeleteDespite all the useless garbage in this book, there was some important content. Athena visits Telemachus and gives him incentive to go home because his mother, Penelope, might marry Eurymachus. As well, she tells him to go to the swineherd's house before going home so he will come across his father. This book was random and it will be along time before the story's climax, however this and the few upcoming books will server as a prelude to the big finally.
The transitions in this book made it very confusing to follow, however, it did contain a lot of information. This book mostly contained background stories and the travels of Telemachus and Odysseus. In the beginning, Athena makes a quick visit to Telemachus filling him in with updated news about what's going on back home in Ithaca. She informs him that if he does not hurry on home, Penelope might take Eurymachus' hand in marriage. She tells him this because it will encourage and motivate Telemachus to make an effort to return home faster. Not only does Athena direct Telemachus to the swineherd first in order to avoid the suitor's ambush, but also because Odysseus is staying there. That way they can finally meet up after twenty long years of being separated.
ReplyDeleteWhen Helen read the bird omen, I think that reflected on how women are portrayed in Greek culture. As Maggie mentioned, it represents the power that women have. As for Telemachus, I think that he has definitely grown up a ton since the day that Athena encouraged him to set off on his journey to find Odysseus. He has matured and become more like his father throughout this whole process.
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ReplyDeleteWhile this book was disjointed and clearly a transition, I think it was necessary to set up the rest of the story. It also served to elaborate on the backgrounds of the various minor characters we have met, which was a refreshing interlude. Athena visits Telemachus and informs him of Eurymachus' chances of marrying Penelope to incite him to return home quickly. This was more so that he would show up to meet Odysseus at the perfect time above anything else because in my mind, there was no real indication of Penelope getting any closer to choosing a husband. After all, she has already been holding out for twenty years. She should be able to for a couple more days.
ReplyDeleteAthena also tells Telemachus to avoid the suitors' ambush and to go to the swineherd. The former so that he would survive so this book could go on for another nine chapters, and the later so that he would meet up with Odysseus. Oh the suspense! Father and son meeting for the first time in twenty years! Only kidding. The goddess also tells Telemachus to send Eumaeus to Penelope to inform her of his safety and also to give Odysseus some time alone with him to reveal his true identity.
My view of Helen's ability to read the bird omen is that it is just the continuation of a theme we have seen throughout the story so far; greek women tend to be wiser and knowledgable than greek men (essay topic perhaps?) It also brought out a new side of Helen. Up until this point she has been primarily represented as a self-described whore, but her ability to read omens restores much of her dignity by reminding us of her connection to the gods.
Personally, this book was the hardest to follow along because of the amount of information stated. So many different stories were told and topics changing made it very confusing as well. First we see Athena visiting with Telemachus and she tells him he has to visit the swineherd before he can return to Ithaca. This was smart of her to guide him in going to the swineherds’, since Odysseus was already there, and this could possibly be a chance for them to see each other. I think she tells him Penelope could marry Eurymachus because it will make him more eager to get home and straighten things out with everyone. Throughout the Odyssey, Athena’s words of wisdom have been very helpful, and even she wants Odysseus and Telemachus to finally meet up. I think she’s tried a lot for this to happen and finally just started giving her all and really making an effort for them. Odysseus is already in Ithaca, and since Telemachus has been away so long, he also has unfinished business to take care of with the suitors. Telemachus has definitely grown up throughout his journey to find his father. He’s met many inspiring and unforgetful people along the way, while he matured as a man. From what he has heard, Telemachus definitely looks up to his father and maybe he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone when they say that this book was very hard to follow. Not very much happened, but we were able to learn about the past of many new and old characters. However since so many new characters were introduced, the stories were overlapping and very confusing to follow. First off we see Athena visiting Telemachus in order to tell him that the needed to make home with all haste if he wants to try and stop Eurymachus from marrying Penelope. She also tells him to make sure and watch out for the ambush that the suitors have laid for him. This is yet another example of how much the gods favor Odysseus's family and do all sorts of things to help them.
ReplyDeleteFinally Telemachus lands home and the book ends with him getting ready to disembark the ship and make his way back to his father for the first time in 20 years. It should be interesting to see how father and son meet and what will happen to all of the suitors.
This book is told from several different perspectives. Often in book and movies when simultaneous stories are being told they inevitably converge. This is cleary what will happen next. Athena has sent Telemachus to the swineherd so that Odysseus will be reunited with his son. Her master plan will result in Odysseus and Telemachus working together to defeat the suitors.
ReplyDeleteWhen Helen reads the omen she is displaying her worth which has been otherwise non-exsistent. She has been an unfaithful wife who started a war and who is the reason Odysseus left his home in the first place.
Let's keep in mind that Telemachus is not the most responsible person in the world. He's only what, 19, 20 years old? If Athena wants things to go her way, she is going to need to give Telemachus assistance throughout the rest of the books. Athena directs Telemachus to the swineherd because that is where Odysseus is - things are finally somewhat being resolved.
ReplyDeleteWoman seem to be pretty powerful in Greek culture. For Helen to read the bird omen is definitely an improvement for her.
Athena was very wise in telling Telemachus that his mother was getting married. Obviously, Penelope is not actually going to marry Eurymachus, but if Telemachus thought she was he would rush home to stop it. Athena tells Telemachus to go to the swineherds because that's where Odysseus has been hanging out. I have a feeling that the swineherd is going to figure out the "beggars" true identity.
ReplyDeleteThe swineherds story was pretty pointless, but it shows that he is nobility, and gives Odysseus a new perspective on things. All in all, I thought it was a pretty bad book.