Week 9 Journal

10/18/20

In Book 2, Telemachus wakes up at the crack of dawn to convene with the other Achaeans on the meeting grounds. He describes the disgraceful acts upon his household-the suitors disrespecting his mother and using up all their resources. He is only a boy, so he doesn’t quite have the strength or experience to drive the men away. He is shameful and angry with his inability to act and expresses his disapproval for the indifference of the people gathered. It seems as if Telemachus’ outrage has only increased, but he is very worried that he isn’t quite as powerful as his father. I feel like if he can channel that sadness and anger from his father’s absence and the suitors’ actions and turn it into determination, there’s a strong possibility that he will be able to get his revenge.

Antinous claims that it’s’ Penelopes’ fault that the suitors are behaving this way. Odysseus’ wife had promised to choose a husband once she finished weaving a shroud for Laertes, but to postpone this decision day, she had wove the shroud, and then unwove it at night. One of her stupid maids snitched and revealed what she was doing, she was forced to finish her weaving. Antinous uses this to justify their rude behavior; Peneope should not have tricked them and should have just chosen a husband.He also suggests that Telemachus sends her back to her father, who would choose a husband for her. This is very much giving me weird vibes. I love Penelope’s little trick, it was very cunning of her, and I like people that can be cunning. She definitely gets a 6/10 character rating so far. I admire her for waiting for Odysseus to return to her, because that’s what she’s most likely waiting for. Although, the suitors obviously aren’t admirable, especially not to me. They’re very petty and draining men, which are not favorable traits in a husband.

Telemachus says that sending Penelope back to her father would be disgraceful and there would be anger towards them from both their families and the gods. Exiling her from her home wouldn’t be right, there’s no just cause either. He asks the suitors to acknowledge their shameful actions and to leave his household, threatening retribution from the gods. At this moment, Zeus sends an omen that probably represents revenge; there are two eagles that come down from the mountains and tear eachother apart as they fly over the meeting. The prophet Halitherses, interprets this as meaning death for the suitors. The suitor Eurymachus mocks the prophecy and says that he and the others will not stop until Penelope chooses a husband. I literally cannot wait for these stupid, rude men to die. Their rejection of the omen from Zeus is so insulting; that man is gonna have it in for them. I like how Telemachus doesn’t back down even though the suitors try to bully him into submission. Maybe he doesn’t see it, but Odysseus’ strength is definitely shining through.

Telemachus states that he will not discuss this anymore with the suitors and asks the Achaens for a ship and a crew. He plans to sail to Pylos and Sparta in search of information about his father. If his father is dead, he will give him a proper burial and try to encourage his mother to remarry. If he hears news that his father is alive, then he will hold the suitors back for another year. Odysseus’ friend Mentor-not to be confused with Mentes- expresses his disapproval for the groups’ inaction due to the suitors’ violence and reminds them of Odysseus’ kindness and god-like ruling. Leocritus tells Mentor to shutup and says that the suitors would murder Odysseus upon his possible return. Imagine. Odysseus would probably dog walk these cretins.They’re such rude and obnoxious people; once again I reiterate, I cannot wait for them to die.

After the meeting, Telemachus prays to Athena. In the guise of Mentes, she tells him that from now on he will be just like his father, filled with courage and wit. She says that he is sure to succeed with his mission. Athena says to pay no attention to the suitors, because they are doomed. She says to gather provisions for the trip while she assembles a crew and chooses a ship. He ignores the taunts of the suitors and asks his nurse Eurycleia to prepare food and drinks for his journey. The woman is fearful for his life, but Telemachus reassures her and says that a god will be watching over him. He also asks that she keep his journey a secret from his mother for ten days. I guess he’d rather spare his mother the grief.

In the shape of Telemachus, athena walks through the town and gathers a crew of twenty men and borrows an efficient ship. nShe calls Telemachus to the ship, and he commands the men with ease. They pour wine in honor of Athena and sail away. This is the only time I approve of the gods’ interference- which they can’t seem to stop doing.

The next morning, in Book 3, Telemachus’ ship arrives in Pylos, he and his crew come across 4500 of Nestor’s men sacrificing bulls in honor of Poseiden. Athena urges Telemachus to inquire about his father’s whereabouts. She leads him to where Nestor and his friends and family are located. I like how Athena constantly pushes Telemachus out of his comfort zone, kind of like urging on the maturation process. Nestor’s son brings Telemachus and his men some meat and wine and encourages them to say their prayers to Poseiden. It seems like the people of Pylos do practice xenia, or hospitality with their quick offering of food and drink to Telemachus and his men. Nestor says that he witnessed the deaths of many men on the battlefield and describes Odysseus as extremely cunning and notes the similarities between Telemachus and his father. Nestor states that after the fall of Troy, Athena caused a feud between Menelaus and Agamemnon: the former who wanted to return home as soon as possible, while the latter wanted to offer Athena sacrifices. Half of the soldiers left with Menelaus, but the others, including Odysseus stayed with Agamemnon. He knew nothing of Odysseus’ fate.

It seems as if Nestor tries to encourage Telemachus’ strength and independence, although the boy emphasizes how he is dependent on the gods. Nestor does admit that the good will of the gods is needed to succeed. However, he feels as if he may not succeed because the gods hate Odysseus. The latter parts of this book-especially the feast-show the importance of piety in this setting. But, I don’t think the gods care about the extravagance of their celebrations, but rather the fact that they are feared so much, mortals pay their respects in such elaborate and costly ways.

10/19/20

In Book 4, Telemachus and Pisistratus travel to Menelaus’ palace, where he is celebrating the marriages of his son and daughter- no incest vibe, separate. The king tells his aid, Eteoneous, to invite the strangers to feast with them, that way he can honor the xenia received from others on his travels. Maids wash, oil, then clothe the travelers and give them food and wine. Telemachus tells Pisistratus that this palace must resemble Olympus, but the king claims that no mortal man could compete with Zeus. Once again, this pure devotion to the ideal that the Greek gods are superior than them- and they are in power- but this seems like indoctrination due to fear in my opinion. It’s just plain worship for fear of persecution or something else. Menelaus laments over his choices and says that he’d have rather stayed home with a fraction of this wealth, if he could take back the deaths of the soldiers in Troy and expresses his bitterness towards the death of his brother, Agamemnon. It’s kind of weird that Menelaus rejects his glory when he speaks on the deaths of his comrades. Despite glory and honor being the highest distinctions and decides the value of a man’s life, he talks about the war with regret.

Interestingly enough, Menelaus says that he grieves for Odysseus the most because he worked the hardest, yet suffered the most. Telemachus begins to cry when he hears his father being mentioned and Menelaus then realizes that he is speaking to Odysseus’ son.

Weird but kinda “nice” alert: Helen slips a drug into the wine that makes the men forget about their grief. She tells the people about Odysseus’ conquest of Troy; he snuck into the city disguised as a beggar, killed many Trojans, and returned with useful information about their opponents. Only Helen recognized him, but she didn’t give away his identity, because she dreamed of coming home to her husband and her child. After Menelaus finishes his story about the infamous wooden horse, everyone goes to sleep in their respective rooms. It seems like Helen and Menelaus are cool. Very weird, but we’ll get to that.

The next day, while Telemachus and Menelaus feast at the kings’ palace, the suitors amuse themselves at Odysseus’ home. Antinous and Eurymachus find out that Telemachus has sailed to Pylos with a crew and a god on board. They are obviously angry at this and plan to murder the prince on his way back home. Medon, the court herald, overhears their plan and tells Penelope. She prays to Athena to save her son; Athena sends a phantom in the shape of Penelope’s sister, telling her that Telemachus is under her protection.

1. Based on what you’ve read so far in the Odyssey, how is someone expected to treat a guest/ stranger in their home ?

• Based on the Odyssey books so far, there seems to be a heavy emphasis on xenia, or hospitality. No matter if the guest is a stranger or someone you know, you are expected to treat them with kindness, even if you don’t know their identity.

2. What do we learn about Odysseus as a hero in the first four books of the. odyssey?

• He’s one of those rare heroes, who is righteous, just, and kind- while also being a great warrior, physically. If he died, he’d be a martyr honestly. He is driven and focused, and it seems that he is renowned for his heroic actions, from the story that Helen tells.

3. In Book 4, what are your impressions of Menelaus’ and Helen’s marital partnership? Has it been a happy reunion ?

• Menelaus and Helen are surprisingly content with each other. It seems as if time does heal any and all wounds, since they have no problems with her reminiscing about her experiences in Troy. They seem indifferent to the events that sparked the Trojan War.

10/21/20

In Book 5, the gods assemble on Olympus and Athena tries to convince Zeus to help Odyseeus, who was a kind and just ruler. He is now trapped in Calypso’s house with no way to return home. Zeus tells Athena to make sure Telemachus is brought home, unharmed, and tells Hermes to tell Calypso to release Odysseus. Zeus says that Odysseus will trek through great pain and with great difficulty, and that he will land in the home of the Phaeacians, who will speed him home with a large amount of treasure. I hate that these characters always have to go through some unnecessary strife, even after they have just been through unimaginable struggles. But, I suppose that makes for a far more interesting story. The gods always feel this need to mess with peoples’ future. Just relax and let everything flow, sheesh.

When Hermes arrives at Calypso’s island, Odysseus is sitting on the beach, sobbing. The god tells Calypso that Zeus commands her to release Odysseus. She says that she loves Odysseus and gets upset because she claims that gods become jealous when goddesses sleep with mortals, as if they don’t do it themselves. Calypso wants Odysseus to be her husband and has even offered to make him mortal. However, she agrees to let him go. Obviously the gods aren’t much different than humans. Their lives are clouded in lust, desire, love, sex, power, and petty arguments.

I feel bad for Odysseus, look at him being groomed by this dirty goddess. She must be obsessed with my boy. Even though he has slept with Calypso, Odysseus weeps for Penelope. Calypso tells Odysseus that he is being released; she warns him that he would not want to leave her if he knew of the suffering he had ahead of him. But nonetheless, Odysseus yearns to be home.

The next day, Odysseus starts building a raft. When he finishes, Calypso gives him provisions and he sails away. He sails for 17 days until he sees the island of the Phaeacians. But, Poseidon is being a big hater, and sends a storm his way.

Taking pity on him, the goddess, Ino, provides him with a scarf that will provide him with temporary immortality. He is to swim to shore, then throw the scarf back into the sea without looking. He floats for 2 days and 2 nights, and sees land on the third day. When he is safely on the beach, he remembers to throw the scarf in the sea; he crawls into the woods and falls asleep. Odysseus is another example of a character that is very respectful to the gods, despite any ill will inflicted towards him. Poseidon was very weird for flinging that man against the rocks, like he didn’t just decide to let him live. That was a cheap shot. Glad to see there are still some gods that support him.

1. What is your impression of Odysseus when you first encounter him in Book 5 ? Why do you think the poet presents him in this way ? Does your impression of him change by the end of Book 5 ? What kind of hero is he ?

• My first impression of Odysseus is that of a man who is mentally, emotionally, and physically drained from years of war and now captivity. The poet aims to make readers pity Odysseus, not that he’s weak, but rather broken down due to the harsh effects of his circumstances. My impression of him does change, because the man perseveres and is one of those rare heros that display strength and courage no matter what.