This book begins with Dawn (Ēōs) and her deified mortal consort, Tithonos, who is mentioned in passing. The next thing we know, there is another council of the gods, where Athene is discussing her favourite topic, Odysseus. She describes Odysseus as a good king, and reproaches the gods for not looking after nice people properly - this will encourage others to misbehave (ll. 8-12), and it is also unfair. "What are you on about, we've discussed this before" says Zeus, and he has a point. The only "new" information here is the plot to kill Telemachos (and even that is not new to us). I have a suspicion that in Homer there is a lot of talk just for the sake of it (cf. heroes in the Iliad, who tell their opponents stories before taking them on in the guise of "introducing" themselves), and this particular scene is included to take us back where we left off in Book 1. "Previously on the Odyssey..." Zeus, however, contributes to the "discussion" by making some decisions. He announces that Odysseus "shall sail on a jointed raft" (l. 33) from Kalypso's island, and after 20 days he is destined to reach Scheria, the country of the Phaiakians ("who are near the gods in origin", l. 35 - what does this mean? is this a hint that they are not 'real' people?). The Phaiakians will give him precious gifts to replace the lost spoils from Troy. He dispatches Hermes, messenger of the gods, to break the news to Kalypso, who, in turn, apparently, is to let Odysseus know. Kalypso's island is a kind of paradise (ll. 55-74). The scene in which Hermes arrives at the nymph's cave is the divine counterpart of previously described hospitality scenes in the human world. The only difference is in the food and the number of participants. Similarly, Hermes finds Kalypso busy weaving just like a mortal woman and singing "with a sweet voice" (l. 61). But this is misleading. Kalypso gets miffed at the gods' decision and generally speaking, takes it rather badly. I wonder if Tithonos was mentioned at the beginning as mortal member of another goddess + human couple to offer a parallel to the Kalypso-Odysseus situation. Kalypso relates how she saved Odysseus from mortal dangers (for herself) and had plans to make him immortal (we know how that went for Tithonos!). Just one thought. Have you noticed that when gods "seduce" mortal women, that is always a one-night-stand, but goddesses greedily want to keep the victim as a sex slave for eternity? It is a humiliating situation for Odysseus anyway. He is no longer happy here and lies "beside [Kalypso], [...] against his will, by one who [is] willing" (ll. 154-55). The dialogue between him and Kalypso (who's been threatened with Zeus' rage if she disobeys) reveals a deeply distrustful Odysseus (ll. 173-79). "You are so naughty", says Kalypso, "See how you have spoken to me and reason with me" (ll. 182-83) - this is how the man of many ways is addressed. But she swears an oath as requested. There is one word here which is interesting: "this is no other painful trial I am planning against you" (l. 187). Other painful trial? What has been going on here? At dinner Kalypso tells Odysseus about the great plans (immortality) she had for him. She says, compared to Penelope, she would be the winner and doesn't understand how Odysseus can long for his home. This is very cleverly written - we can see that this Kalypso woman knows what she wants and in normal circumstances she is not someone to be trifled with. It's a good thing Odysseus has the gods on his side! As a last-ditch attempt, she even tells Odysseus that he is to suffer further if he leaves her island. Odysseus is resigned, though: he's suffered so much that it's neither here nor there.
13 Comments
10/26/2010 01:25:31 pm
I do enjoy your blog Olga.
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Olga
10/27/2010 04:36:21 am
Hi Oliver
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10/27/2010 06:18:18 am
Hi Olga
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Olga
10/28/2010 05:26:11 am
By "nice" I meant people the gods like, those who are good people from their point of view. (Although they seem to be a bit lazy about looking after their own...)
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10/28/2010 06:24:54 am
It's so interesting. He talked about master and slave morality. The strong call their own qualities "good" and anything weak or ineffectual is scorned, labelled "bad". The weak demonise the strong, label them "evil" and venerate weaker qualities ("the meek shall inherit the earth"). The Greeks had a master morality for sure!
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Alan Carson
10/28/2010 03:18:51 pm
Hi Olga,
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10/28/2010 03:57:41 pm
Alan, Neitzsche is an anti-moralist and he was a classicist so he knew full well what he derived from classical literature.
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Alan Carson
10/29/2010 04:57:00 am
Oliver
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Alan Carson
10/29/2010 05:21:41 am
Oliver,
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10/29/2010 05:36:20 am
Okay apologies Alan.
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Olga
10/29/2010 07:08:39 am
Hi Oliver
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Olga
10/29/2010 07:15:06 am
Hi Alan,
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10/29/2010 07:31:23 am
Hey Olga
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AuthorHave studied A219 Exploring the Classical World and A275 Reading Classical Greek at the Open University. Currently studying for a Psychology degree. ImagesPlease click on any image to be taken to its source.
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