The Odyssey - quotes Flashcards
(38 cards)
“they…
helped themselves”
“caked with blood…
like a mountain lion.” simile, shows extreme strength + glory for killing suitors (including priest Leodes)
“you seem a man…
of great sense.” Odysseus shows respect for Amphinomus
“These men fell…
to victim of the gods and their own infamy.” Odysseus declares that the Suitors rightfully had to die.
“Nobody’s killing…
me now, by fraud and not by force!” Polythemus, play on words, shows Odysseus’ trickery
“There’s no…
escaping it” Theoclymenus telling Eurymachus that fate had already marked them out to suffer.
“The whole world…
talks of my stratagems, and my fame has reached the heavens.” - Odysseus, Book 9.
What happened on Ismarus?
Odysseus and his men sack the city, taking spoils, yet they linger too long and the Cicones rally and attack the men, losing six men per ship.
Absence of the Gods?
Throughout book nine Odysseus does recount the loss at Ismarus, but also victories with the lotus eaters and the Cyclops which prove he does not require help from Athene constantly, can rely on his own cunning.
folly
“It was this man’s…
reckless folly that cost them their lives.” - Eurylochus on Odysseus’ handling of Polythemus, his own crew do not respect or approve of his decisions. Gods did not make him do this, even had to encourage him to leave Circe’s island.
What happens on Aeolia?
Aeolus provides the crew with a bag of wind, Odysseus falls asleep, the men open the bag out of curiosity and throw them back to Aeolia - they are rejected by them, and sent away because they thought they were no longer in the god’s favour.
‘this sacker of cities be…
the same man whose mother died missing his “gentleness of mind” Book 11, in the Underworld, symbolises a death and re-birth of a new Odysseus, not looking for any more holds ups and re-establishing his quest to reclaim his oikos. Shows tenderness towards, Anticleia, a humane side to his character that we have not seen before, as does his attitude to Ajax, when despite their past differences over Achilles’ armour, he is willing to welcome and forgive, whereas Ajax can only ignore and hate.
What happened on the island of of Thrinacie? (book 12)
Home of the sun god Hyperion’s cattle. The men were fated to, and do, devour his cattle, Eurylochus stabs them first, they were starving. The men attempted to leave, but Zeus struck down their ship, they all died when thrown overboard, no survivors but Odysseus. (‘the isle of the trident’, links to myth of Jason and the Argonauts.)
What does book 12 show?
‘It was their own transgression…
A big contrast from the re-born Odysseus, against his men, Odysseus is now no longer as impetuous and impulsive as he was previously, his reckless attitude has been tempered by his ‘metis’, and this is why he won out in the encounter. Different from his more foolish men.
that brought them to their doom’ - line 7, book 1
Eumaeus, book 14 main ideas
He upholds great xenia, he is presented as the morally superior old order.
What is suggested about Penelope in book 15?
Athene suggests that Penelope may be taken by Eurymachus’ wealth. As if to prove the point, Athena actually suggests that Penelope might be tempted to take some of Odysseus’ property with her.
What does Amphinomus symbolise?
“it’s a terrible thing…
He acts as the suitors conscience, warning them of divine punishment/intervention.
to shed the blood of kings.” does not desire to kill Telemachus at all, even shows respect for him.
What happens to the suitors in book 20?
A clap of thunder indicates their demise, followed by the servant’s words, “may this be their last dinner, say I.” They demonstrate further hubris upon ignoring Theocylmenus’ prophecy, as his powers are connected to divine will. The day in this book is also sacred to Apollo, which they pay no mind to.
darting
‘they scattered through the hall like a…
herd of cattle that a darting gadfly has attacked and stampeded…’ Book 22, how the suitors are described after being decimated by Odysseus and his crew. Amplifies how even with a small team, they still manager to overpower them.
Why does Odysseus receive aid in taking his aristeia?
It shows the rise of the ‘old order ‘ in Ithaca, (after being left to years of confusion in Odysseus’ absence) Homer purposely demonstrates that it is a united effort on behalf of those who have remained loyal to Odysseus’ oikos during his absence – it is the triumph of good over evil.
How does Penelope prove herself in Book 23?
She tests Odysseus by offering him his own immovable bed for the night, the irony of the arch-deceiver being deceived. Just as good as Odysseus continuing the song even after the Suitors are dead.
How does the Odyssey end?
Book 24 provides a disjointed and slightly odd ending, yet everything is rounded off. Homer leaves his audience on a high point, encapsulating his message of oikos protection and god honouring.
How is Penelope presented, what is her function?
She is presented as the perfect wife, she is loyal and faithful, the personification of fidelity. The story of the loom exemplifies her cunning tactics, working on the loom by day and unravelling it by night, as well as attempting to move the immovable marriage bed which Odysseus built.
Eurycleia and Melantho?
Eurycleia exemplifies love and unwavering loyalty also, neatly contrasted with the younger Melantho, she insults Odysseus when not realizing who he is and is later to hang as her punishment. Homer sends out the message that crime does not pay and those who flout common decency will eventually have their reckoning.
