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Often appears with: custom and the manners of a people · rank, class, and social order · religious persecution and toleration · fate, destiny, and necessity · the city and urban life · marriage and betrothal · justice as a virtue · counsel and advisers to rulers · diplomacy and embassies · poverty and wealth · festivals, games, and spectacle · conquest, plunder, and captives
Usually: narrative (361) · detachment (200) · curiosity (105) · wonder (103) · the stranger's arrival (95) · indignation (62) · the test or trial (60) · reverence (50) · praise (49) · argument (44)
“Upon receiving this certificate, and a five-dollar bill from Mr. Ruggles, I shouldered one part of our baggage, and Anna took up the other, and we set out forthwith to take passage on board of the steamboat John W. Richmond for Newport, on our way to New Bedford.” Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an Amer · observation
“Earth’s might decays, the might of men decays, Honor grows cold, dishonor flourishes, There is no constancy ’twixt friend and friend,” Sophocles, Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Col · insight
“Food, to the indolent lounger, is poison, not sustenance. Lurking beneath all their dishes, are invisible spirits of evil... and of these the Lloyds got their full share.” Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom · observation
“Permit our ships a shelter on your shores, Refitted from your woods with planks and oars, That, if our prince be safe, we may renew Our destin’d course, and Italy pursue.” Virgil, The Aeneid · precept
“They frequently wear their moustaches and long black hair curling down their backs.” Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle · observation
“They never drink their spirits without expecting you to taste it; but whilst making their exceedingly graceful bow, they seem quite as ready, if occasion offered, to cut your throat.” Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle · vivid
“for the same may be said of knight-errantry as of love, that it levels all.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · insight
“And it is said of this good lass that she never made promises of the kind without fulfilling them, even though she made them in a forest and without any witness present, for she plumed herself greatly on being a lady and held it no disgrace to be in such an employment as servant in an inn” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“he fancied himself to have reached a famous castle (for, as has been said, all the inns he lodged in were castles to his eyes), and that the daughter of the innkeeper was daughter of the lord of the castle” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · vivid
“He then asked for some vial to pour it into, and as there was not one in the inn, he decided on putting it into a tin oil-bottle or flask of which the host made him a free gift.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“But scarcely had he done drinking when he began to vomit in such a way that nothing was left in his stomach, and with the pangs and spasms of vomiting he broke into a profuse sweat.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · vivid
“O God! is it possible I have found a place that may serve as a secret grave for the weary load of this body that I support so unwillingly? If the solitude these mountains promise deceives me not, it is so; ah! woe is me! how much more grateful to my mind will be the society of these rocks and brakes that permit me to complain of my misfortune to Heaven, than that of any human being,” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · insight
With help from Vigilance Committee contacts, Douglass and his wife travel by steamer and stage-coach to New Bedford, are denied cabin passage rules, and gain support from Quaker Nathan Johnson and others.
J. W. C. Pennington, then a well-known and respected Presbyterian minister. I had no money with which to pay the marriage fee, but he seemed well pleased with our thanks. Mr. Ruggles was the first officer on the “Underground Railroad” whom I met after coming North, and was, indeed, the only one with whom I had anything to do till I became such an officer myself. Learning that my trade was that of a calker, he prompt…
The passage includes verses enforcing Islam as the only accepted religion, describes judgment for infidelity, and emphasizes charity, the Ka‘ba in Mecca, and calls to hold fast to God’s “cord.”
And whoever turneth back after this, these are surely the perverse." Other religion than that of God desire they? To him doth everything that is in the Heavens and in the Earth submit, in willing or forced obedience! and to Him do they return. SAY: We believe in God, and in what hath been sent down to us, and what hath been sent down to Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and in what was give…
Pepys notes court hospitality and shifting favor, hears Castlemaine’s influence has revived, and then records his travel to Epsom and its Wells amid crowds and wagers about the best social visitors.
them of and killed many of them. To-morrow the King and Queene for certain go down to Tunbridge. But the King comes back again against Monday to raise the Parliament. 25th. Having intended this day to go to Banstead Downes to see a famous race, I sent Will. to get himself ready to go with me: but I hear it is put off, because the Lords do sit in Parliament to-day. After some debate, Creed and I resolved to go to C…
Pepys participates in London parish measures against plague spread, debates crowding at burials, tells a case of saving an uninfected child from an infected house, and continues daily life amid restrictions.
my Lord Brouncker giving me a very neat cane to walk with; but it troubled me to pass by Coome farme where about twenty-one people have died of the plague. 5th. After dinner comes Colonel Blunt in his new chariot made with springs; as that was of wicker, wherein a while since we rode at his house. And he hath rode, he says, now his journey, many miles in it with one horse, and out-drives any coach, and out-goes an…
Pepys travels from Salisbury toward Hungerford, then night-arrives at Old Sarum and sleeps at the George Inn, paying hospitality and giving money to the poor along the way.
where had been a fair of custard; and met many people and scholars going home; and there did get some pretty good musick, and sang and danced till supper: 5s. 10th. Wednesday. Up, and walked to the hospitall: very large and fine, and pictures of founders and the History of the hospitall; and is said to be worth 700l. per annum, and that Mr. Foly was here lately to see how their lands were settled. And here, in o…
At Ithaca, servants host Minerva-disguised-as-Mentes and Telemachus, while Phemius plays lyre music; Telemachus quietly tells Athena he is disgusted by the suitors’ waste, mourns Odysseus’ presumed loss, and interrogates her about her identity and visit.
for himself, away from the suitors, that she might not be annoyed while eating by their noise and insolence, and that he might ask her more freely about his father. A maid servant then brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for them to wash their hands, and she drew a clean table beside them. An upper servant brought them bread, and offered them many good things of what there…
After reaching Pylos at sunrise, Telemachus—guided by Minerva—joins a festival of black bulls for Poseidon, is welcomed by Nestor’s household, and participates in prayers and dinner before speaking with Nestor.
TELEMACHUS VISITS NESTOR AT PYLOS. but as the sun was rising from the fair sea24 into the firmament of heaven to shed light on mortals and immortals, they reached Pylos the city of Neleus. Now the people of Pylos were gathered on the sea shore to offer sacrifice of black bulls to Neptune lord of the Earthquake. There were nine guilds with five hundred men in each, and there were nine bulls to each guild. As they wer…
At sunset, Minerva orders drink offerings and bedtime, and Nestor insists Telemachus and Minerva should stay for the night; Minerva then departs, and she appears to Telemachus as an eagle.
sons who can escort you to Lacedaemon where Menelaus lives. Beg of him to speak the truth, and he will tell you no lies, for he is an excellent person.” As he spoke the sun set and it came on dark, whereon Minerva said, “Sir, all that you have said is well; now, however, order the tongues of the victims to be cut, and mix wine that we may make drink-offerings to Neptune, and the other immortals, and then go to bed, …
Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive in Lacedaemon, are welcomed into Menelaus’s palace for the wedding of his daughter to Achilles’ son, and receive prompt hospitality as servants prepare their horses and supper.
THE VISIT TO KING MENELAUS, WHO TELLS HIS STORY—MEANWHILE THE SUITORS IN ITHACA PLOT AGAINST TELEMACHUS. they reached the low lying city of Lacedaemon, where they drove straight to the abode of Menelaus36 [and found him in his own house, feasting with his many clansmen in honour of the wedding of his son, and also of his daughter, whom he was marrying to the son of that valiant warrior Achilles. He had given his con…
After their evening feast, Telemachus asks for sleep, servants prepare beds in the gatehouse, and at dawn Menelaus questions Telemachus’s voyage and hears the complaint that suitors eat his household and harass Penelope.
him, nor yet his own iron courage. But now, sir, be pleased to send us all to bed, that we may lie down and enjoy the blessed boon of sleep.” On this Helen told the maid servants to set beds in the room that was in the gatehouse, and to make them with good red rugs, and spread coverlets on the top of them with woollen cloaks for the guests to wear. So the maids went out, carrying a torch, and made the beds, to which…
Menelaus tells Telemachus that marrying Helen makes him a son-in-law of Zeus, then they exchange gifts of horses and a silver-gold mixing bowl while Penelope’s household continues hosting guests.
a West wind that sings softly from the sea, and gives fresh life to all men. This will happen to you because you have married Helen, and are Jove’s son-in-law.’ “As he spoke he dived under the waves, whereon I turned back to the ships with my companions, and my heart was clouded with care as I went along. When we reached the ships we got supper ready, for night was falling, and camped down upon the beach. When the c…
At daybreak Nausicaa’s family arranges wagons, mules, and supplies; the women wash clothes at cisterns by the water, bathe and anoint with oil, play, and set up a plan to encounter Ulysses after he awakens.
the other three are good looking bachelors; you know they always like to have clean linen when they go to a dance, and I have been thinking about all this.” She did not say a word about her own wedding, for she did not like to, but her father knew and said, “You shall have the mules, my love, and whatever else you have a mind for. Be off with you, and the men shall get you a good strong waggon with a body to it that…
Minerva inspires Nausicaa to throw a ball that draws Ulysses out of hiding; Ulysses, still naked and filthy, approaches Nausicaa, who stays, listens, and provides aid while deciding he will be protected.
and meadows of green grass. At any rate I am among a race of men and women. Let me try if I cannot manage to get a look at them.” As he said this he crept from under his bush, and broke off a bough covered with thick leaves to hide his nakedness. He looked like some lion of the wilderness that stalks about exulting in his strength and defying both wind and rain; his eyes glare as he prowls in quest of oxen, sheep, o…
Nausicaa questions Ulysses, then assures him Phaeacian hospitality for a foreigner under Zeus; she orders the maidservants to help, has him washed and clothed, and she and her household avoid harm from strangers.
still further suffering; for I do not think that I have yet come to the end of it, but rather that heaven has still much evil in store for me. “And now, O queen, have pity upon me, for you are the first person I have met, and I know no one else in this country. Show me the way to your town, and let me have anything that you may have brought hither to wrap your clothes in. May heaven grant you in all things your hear…
Ulysses prepares to wait at Minerva’s grove outside town while Nausicaa returns home; she instructs him to ask for Alcinous’s house, then win her mother’s favor to secure an escort.
archers; they know nothing about bows and arrows, but are a sea-faring folk, and pride themselves on their masts, oars, and ships, with which they travel far over the sea. “I am afraid of the gossip and scandal that may be set on foot against me later on; for the people here are very ill-natured, and some low fellow, if he met us, might say, ‘Who is this fine-looking stranger that is going about with Nausicaa? Where…
Nausicaa’s servant-maid mission brings Ulysses toward King Alcinous’s palace at Scheria, while Minerva disguises him and guides him silently to meet Queen Arete and Alcinous.
RECEPTION OF ULYSSES AT THE PALACE OF KING ALCINOUS. Thus, then, did Ulysses wait and pray; but the girl drove on to the town. When she reached her father’s house she drew up at the gateway, and her brothers—comely as the gods—gathered round her, took the mules out of the waggon, and carried the clothes into the house, while she went to her own room, where an old servant, Eurymedusa of Apeira, lit the fire for her. …
At Alcinous’s hearth, Ulysses asks Queen Arete and her household for help to return home, and the Phaeacians respond with ritual offerings, a banquet, and planning an escort.
the miraculous darkness fell away from him and he became visible. Every one was speechless with surprise at seeing a man there, but Ulysses began at once with his petition. “Queen Arete,” he exclaimed, “daughter of great Rhexenor, in my distress I humbly pray you, as also your husband and these your guests (whom may heaven prosper with long life and happiness, and may they leave their possessions to their children, …
Ulysses rejects the idea he is an immortal, insists he is merely afflicted and hungry, accepts the escort plan, and tells Arete his long voyage from Calypso on Ogygia to Scheria.
stumble upon some one or other of them, they affect no concealment, for we are as near of kin to the gods as the Cyclopes and the savage giants are.”62 Then Ulysses said: “Pray, Alcinous, do not take any such notion into your head. I have nothing of the immortal about me, neither in body nor mind, and most resemble those among you who are the most afflicted. Indeed, were I to tell you all that heaven has seen fit to…
Ulysses continues his account: he survives storms and shipwreck, sleeps in leaves, meets Nausicaa’s maid servants, receives clothing and food, and Alcinous offers marriage and travel home by ship.
keep to my raft, which went to pieces under the fury of the gale, and I had to swim for it, till wind and current brought me to your shores. “There I tried to land, but could not, for it was a bad place and the waves dashed me against the rocks, so I again took to the sea and swam on till I came to a river that seemed the most likely landing place, for there were no rocks and it was sheltered from the wind. Here, th…
Odysseus reassures the watching Phaeacians that he will compete in athletics, claims exceptional skill in discus, archery, and combat, and explains he may be slower in running and weakened by past sea hardship.
for it—it is so far ahead of any other. You may make your mind easy about this contest, for no Phaeacian can come near to such a throw as yours.” Ulysses was glad when he found he had a friend among the lookers-on, so he began to speak more pleasantly. “Young men,” said he, “come up to that throw if you can, and I will throw another disc as heavy or even heavier. If anyone wants to have a bout with me let him come o…
King Alcinous rewards Odysseus with gifts of cloaks, shirts, and gold, demands Euryalus apologize for rudeness, and orders Queen Arete to prepare a warm bath, chest, and packing for the presents.
“King Alcinous, you said your people were the nimblest dancers in the world, and indeed they have proved themselves to be so. I was astonished as I saw them.” The king was delighted at this, and exclaimed to the Phaeacians, “Aldermen and town councillors, our guest seems to be a person of singular judgement; let us give him such proof of our hospitality as he may reasonably expect. There are twelve chief men among y…
Odysseus receives Nausicaa’s farewell plea for remembrance, washes for supper, honors Demodocus with a pork portion, and asks the bard to sing about the wooden horse and Troy’s fall.
to the lid yourself, and have the whole bound round at once, for fear any one should rob you by the way when you are asleep in your ship.” 72 When Ulysses heard this he put the lid on the chest and made it fast with a bond that Circe had taught him. He had done so before an upper servant told him to come to the bath and wash himself. He was very glad of a warm bath, for he had had no one to wait upon him ever since …
Alcinous questions Odysseus about his true name, homeland, and travels, explains Phaeacian ships navigate without pilots, and asks why Odysseus is suffering over the Achaeans’ return from Troy.
honour, and any one with even a moderate amount of right feeling knows that he ought to treat a guest and a suppliant as though he were his own brother. “Therefore, Sir, do you on your part affect no more concealment nor reserve in the matter about which I shall ask you; it will be more polite in you to give me a plain answer; tell me the name by which your father and mother over yonder used to call you, and by whic…
Odysseus lands with a small crew in a cave stocked with cheeses and flocks, planning to test whether the Cyclops is hospitable, but his men find the monster hard to deal with.
the rest of you, while I go with my ship and exploit these people myself: I want to see if they are uncivilised savages, or a hospitable and humane race.’ “I went on board, bidding my men to do so also and loose the hawsers; so they took their places and smote the grey sea with their oars. When we got to the land, which was not far, there, on the face of a cliff near the sea, we saw a great cave overhung with laurel…
Polyphemus returns, blocks the cave with an enormous stone, herds and milks his goats and sheep, questions the strangers, and threatens them despite Odysseus’s appeal to Zeus and visitor-right.
wanted to see the owner himself, in the hope that he might give me a present. When, however, we saw him my poor men found him ill to deal with. “We lit a fire, offered some of the cheeses in sacrifice, ate others of them, and then sat waiting till the Cyclops should come in with his sheep. When he came, he brought in with him a huge load of dry firewood to light the fire for his supper, and this he flung with such a…
Circe has Odysseus washed and dressed and offers him food, but he refuses until she frees his men; she opens the pigsties, reverses the transformation, and orders him to return to the ship.
“So she swore at once as I had told her, and when she had completed her oath then I went to bed with her. “Meanwhile her four servants, who are her housemaids, set about their work. They are the children of the groves and fountains, and of the holy waters that run down into the sea. One of them spread a fair purple cloth over a seat, and laid a carpet underneath it. Another brought tables of silver up to the seats, …
Odysseus continues naming hero-wives and daughters in Hades—such as Iphimedeia, Phaedra, Procris, Ariadne, Maera, Clymene, and Eriphyle—then stops, and the Phaeacians’ court discusses and sponsors his continued stay and gifts.
passed and the same season came round again, Iphicles set him at liberty, after he had expounded all the oracles of heaven. Thus, then, was the will of Jove accomplished. “And I saw Leda the wife of Tyndarus, who bore him two famous sons, Castor breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer. Both these heroes are lying under the earth, though they are still alive, for by a special dispensation of Jove, they die and…
In Scheria, Alcinous and the Phaeacians give Ulysses gifts and a send-off, feast with Demodocus’s singing, and Ulysses departs after prayer offerings, placing a double cup in Arete’s hands before saying farewell.
ULYSSES LEAVES SCHERIA AND RETURNS TO ITHACA. Thus did he speak, and they all held their peace throughout the covered cloister, enthralled by the charm of his story, till presently Alcinous began to speak. “Ulysses,” said he, “now that you have reached my house I doubt not you will get home without further misadventure no matter how much you have suffered in the past. To you others, however, who come here night aft…
Ulysses is released by Alcinous’s household, carried aboard a Phaeacian ship, falls asleep, and the crew rows into Ithaca at dawn, taking him ashore and hiding the gifts by an olive tree and off the road.
death, the common lot of mankind, lay their hands upon you. I now take my leave; be happy in this house with your children, your people, and with king Alcinous.” As he spoke he crossed the threshold, and Alcinous sent a man to conduct him to his ship and to the sea shore. Arete also sent some maidservants with him—one with a clean shirt and cloak, another to carry his strong box, and a third with corn and wine. When…
Ulysses travels to Eumaeus’s hut, finds a well-kept pig yard and sties, the swineherd warns him about fierce dogs, and Ulysses is welcomed and fed while Eumaeus explains his role and the suitors’ ongoing eating.
ULYSSES IN THE HUT WITH EUMAEUS. Ulysses now left the haven, and took the rough track up through the wooded country and over the crest of the mountain till he reached the place where Minerva had said that he would find the swineherd, who was the most thrifty servant he had. He found him sitting in front of his hut, which was by the yards that he had built on a site which could be seen from far. He had made them spac…
Eumaeus interprets his world through divine order and condemns the suitors’ lawless consumption, sacrifices pig meat for Ulysses, and Ulysses questions him about his former master, leading into Eumaeus’s and Ulysses’s backstory.
thus welcome, and said “May Jove, sir, and the rest of the gods grant you your heart’s desire in return for the kind way in which you have received me.” To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaeus, “Stranger, though a still poorer man should come here, it would not be right for me to insult him, for all strangers and beggars are from Jove. You must take what you can get and be thankful, for servants live in fear when …
Ulysses in disguise tells Eumaeus his story, but Eumaeus rejects it as lies, insisting he knows the real situation of Odysseus’s absence and describing his own remote life caring for pigs.
went back to their ship. The gods, having hidden me thus easily, then took me to a good man’s door—for it seems that I am not to die yet awhile.” To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaeus, “Poor unhappy stranger, I have found the story of your misfortunes extremely interesting, but that part about Ulysses is not right; and you will never get me to believe it. Why should a man like you go about telling lies in this w…
Eumaeus and Ulysses prepare a pig sacrifice for the gods, portion the meat according to ritual shares including one for Mercury and nymphs, and eat together as hospitality becomes an enacted religious duty.
him for this stranger, and we will take toll of him ourselves. We have had trouble enough this long time feeding pigs, while others reap the fruit of our labour.” On this he began chopping firewood, while the others brought in a fine fat five year old boar pig, and set it at the altar. Eumaeus did not forget the gods, for he was a man of good principles, so the first thing he did was to cut bristles from the pig’s f…
In a stormy, moonless night, Ulysses drinks and recounts a prior ambush at Troy where he lacked a cloak in freezing conditions; Eumaeus promises him clothing and temporary shelter until Telemachus returns.
when they had had enough to eat and drink, Mesaulius took away what was left of the bread, and they all went to bed after having made a hearty supper. Now the night came on stormy and very dark, for there was no moon. It poured without ceasing, and the wind blew strong from the West, which is a wet quarter, so Ulysses thought he would see whether Eumaeus, in the excellent care he took of him, would take off his own …
Menelaus releases Telemachus to return home, offering moderation in hosting, prepares a meal and valuable gifts including a silver mixing bowl, and Helen gives a robe meant for a bride on her wedding day.
a great cloak over his shoulders, and went out to meet him. “Menelaus,” said he, “let me go back now to my own country, for I want to get home.” And Menelaus answered, “Telemachus, if you insist on going I will not detain you. I do not like to see a host either too fond of his guest or too rude to him. Moderation is best in all things, and not letting a man go when he wants to do so is as bad as telling him to go if…
Telemachus invites the fugitive Theoclymenus aboard, promises Ithacan hospitality, sails past Crouni and Chalcis with a Minerva-blessed wind, while Ulysses reassures the swineherd and asks to beg in the city and reach Penelope’s house.
own head and by those of your followers tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Who and whence are you? Tell me also of your town and parents.” Telemachus said, “I will answer you quite truly. I am from Ithaca, and my father is Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived. But he has come to some miserable end. Therefore I have taken this ship and got my crew together to see if I can hear any news of him, for he ha…
Ulysses encourages Eumaeus after hearing his misfortunes, then Telemachus returns with his crew at dawn, orders the ship to proceed to town, receives Theoclymenus’ worry about where to stay, and assigns him to Eurymachus’ household.
about. I will carry him off in your ship, and you will get a great deal of money for him if you take him and sell him in foreign parts.’ “On this she went back to the house. The Phoenicians stayed a whole year till they had loaded their ship with much precious merchandise, and then, when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell the woman. Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my father’s house bringi…
Telemachus reunites with Ulysses in disguise, with Eumaeus weeping for joy, and Telemachus learns that Ulysses arrived as a “Cretan” refugee; Telemachus discusses protecting him from suitors and explains the household’s ruin by the wooers.
ULYSSES REVEALS HIMSELF TO TELEMACHUS. Meanwhile Ulysses and the swineherd had lit a fire in the hut and were were getting breakfast ready at daybreak, for they had sent the men out with the pigs. When Telemachus came up, the dogs did not bark but fawned upon him, so Ulysses, hearing the sound of feet and noticing that the dogs did not bark, said to Eumaeus: “Eumaeus, I hear footsteps; I suppose one of your men or …
Telemachus and Ulysses plan that Telemachus and another ally return to the suitors, endure abuse, keep Ulysses hidden, and then help hide the household armor until Minerva’s signal enables a decisive attack.
“Those whom you have named,” answered Telemachus, “are a couple of good allies, for though they dwell high up among the clouds they have power over both gods and men.” “These two,” continued Ulysses, “will not keep long out of the fray, when the suitors and we join fight in my house. Now, therefore, return home early to-morrow morning, and go about among the suitors as before. Later on the swineherd will bring me to…
Penelope confronts Antinous, calling the plot wicked and reminding him of Ulysses’ past survival against Taphian attackers, while Eurymachus boasts Telemachus will not die as long as he lives; Penelope then mourns until Athena puts her to sleep.
maidens, and when she reached the suitors she stood by one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the cloister holding a veil before her face, and rebuked Antinous saying: “Antinous, insolent and wicked schemer, they say you are the best speaker and counsellor of any man your own age in Ithaca, but you are nothing of the kind. Madman, why should you try to compass the death of Telemachus, and take no heed of su…
At dawn Telemachus goes to town, instructing his father-disguised as a beggar to request food, and reunites emotionally with Penelope; later he and Eumaeus discuss the town’s news and Telemachus proceeds toward the assembly.
TELEMACHUS AND HIS MOTHER MEET—ULYSSES AND EUMAEUS COME DOWN TO THE TOWN, AND ULYSSES IS INSULTED BY MELANTHIUS—HE IS RECOGNISED BY THE DOG ARGOS—HE IS INSULTED AND PRESENTLY STRUCK BY ANTINOUS WITH A STOOL—PENELOPE DESIRES THAT HE SHALL BE SENT TO HER. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Telemachus bound on his sandals and took a strong spear that suited his hands, for he wanted to go into the …
Minerva grants Telemachus divine presence; he avoids suitors, hosts Theoclymenus and Piraeus’ request concerns presents, and Penelope questions Telemachus’ trip while Telemachus recounts Nestor, Menelaus, and a report of Ulysses held by Calypso.
heeded her son’s words, washed her face, changed her dress, and vowed full and sufficient hecatombs to all the gods if they would only vouchsafe her revenge upon the suitors. Telemachus went through, and out of, the cloisters spear in hand—not alone, for his two fleet dogs went with him. Minerva endowed him with a presence of such divine comeliness that all marvelled at him as he went by, and the suitors gathered ro…
Eumaeus prays for Ulysses’ return, Melanthius threatens to sell Eumaeus and hopes for Telemachus’ death, then Ulysses and Eumaeus enter the palace where music plays, and Ulysses comments on the palace’s strong architecture before being seated as a beggar.
table, said, “Now then, my young masters, you have had enough sport, so come inside that we may get dinner ready. Dinner is not a bad thing, at dinner time.” They left their sports as he told them, and when they were within the house, they laid their cloaks on the benches and seats inside, and then sacrificed some sheep, goats, pigs, and a heifer, all of them fat and well grown.141 Thus they made ready for their mea…
Ulysses notices the neglected hunting dog Argos, whose loyalty and recognition confirm Ulysses’ presence before the dog dies; then Telemachus has Ulysses beg among the suitors at the household threshold.
say, therefore—and it shall surely be—if he goes near Ulysses’ house he will get his head broken by the stools they will fling at him, till they turn him out.” On this, as he passed, he gave Ulysses a kick on the hip out of pure wantonness, but Ulysses stood firm, and did not budge from the path. For a moment he doubted whether or no to fly at Melanthius and kill him with his staff, or fling him to the ground and be…
Ulysses, disguised as a beggar, eats and walks among Penelope’s suitors, while Minerva goads him to test their character and the swineherd Eumaeus and Telemachus defend him against Antinous’s insults.
Ulysses answered, “May King Jove grant all happiness to Telemachus, and fulfil the desire of his heart.” Then with both hands he took what Telemachus had sent him, and laid it on the dirty old wallet at his feet. He went on eating it while the bard was singing, and had just finished his dinner as he left off. The suitors applauded the bard, whereon Minerva went up to Ulysses and prompted him to beg pieces of bread f…
Ulysses tells the women to go inside and he holds the light by the braziers, while Melantho insults him and Ulysses threatens to report her; Eurymachus then mocks his appearance and offers him farm labor work, condemning his begging.
which glistened most beautifully; while king Pisander son of Polyctor gave her a necklace of the rarest workmanship, and every one else brought her a beautiful present of some kind. Then the queen went back to her room upstairs, and her maids brought the presents after her. Meanwhile the suitors took to singing and dancing, and stayed till evening came. They danced and sang till it grew dark; they then brought in th…
Ulysses gives Penelope a false Cretan genealogy and story of hospitality to a traveler, says he met Ulysses in Crete, and then she tests him by asking what Ulysses looked like and wore.
who you are and where you come from—for you must have had father and mother of some sort; you cannot be the son of an oak or of a rock.” Then Ulysses answered, “Madam, wife of Ulysses, since you persist in asking me about my family, I will answer, no matter what it costs me: people must expect to be pained when they have been exiles as long as I have, and suffered as much among as many peoples. Nevertheless, as rega…
Ulysses details clothing and identifying features of Odysseus—purple mantle, gold brooch with a dog-and-fawn design, and a distinctive shirt—then Penelope reveals she provided those items and laments Troy.
his men, as you say you did. Tell me, then, how he was dressed, what kind of a man he was to look at, and so also with his companions.” “Madam,” answered Ulysses, “it is such a long time ago that I can hardly say. Twenty years are come and gone since he left my home, and went elsewhither; but I will tell you as well as I can recollect. Ulysses wore a mantle of purple wool, double lined, and it was fastened by a gold…
Penelope orders that Ulysses be washed and warmed by proper hands, praises his propriety, and calls the old nurse Euryclea to wash his feet instead of servants.
spoken shall surely come to pass. Ulysses will return in this self same year; with the end of this moon and the beginning of the next he will be here.” “May it be even so,” answered Penelope; “if your words come true you shall have such gifts and such good will from me that all who see you shall congratulate you; but I know very well how it will be. Ulysses will not return, neither will you get your escort hence, fo…
Ulysses visits Autolycus on Mount Parnassus, receives gifts after hunting and killing a boar that injures his knee, and returns to Ithaca where nurse Euryclea recognizes his scar.
grows up and comes to visit his mother’s family on Mt. Parnassus, where my possessions lie, I will make him a present and will send him on his way rejoicing.” Ulysses, therefore, went to Parnassus to get the presents from Autolycus, who with his sons shook hands with him and gave him welcome. His grandmother Amphithea threw her arms about him, and kissed his head, and both his beautiful eyes, while Autolycus desired…
Telemachus organizes preparations as the suitors approach: he challenges servants’ treatment of the stranger, sends for household cleaning, and receives assistance from Euryclea while Telemachus takes control of where Ulysses sits.
dine in the house of Ulysses. They have worn me out with labour of grinding meal for them, and I hope they may never have another dinner anywhere at all.” Ulysses was glad when he heard the omens conveyed to him by the woman’s speech, and by the thunder, for he knew they meant that he should avenge himself on the suitors. Then the other maids in the house rose and lit the fire on the hearth; Telemachus also rose an…
Telemachus, Philoetius, and Eumaeus stop the dancing and sleep as Penelope and Odysseus talk; Penelope laments the suitors’ slaughter and drinking, while Odysseus recounts his whole wanderings from the Cicons to Calypso and back to the Phaeacians.
their own old bed. Telemachus, Philoetius, and the swineherd now left off dancing, and made the women leave off also. They then laid themselves down to sleep in the cloisters. When Ulysses and Penelope had had their fill of love they fell talking with one another. She told him how much she had had to bear in seeing the house filled with a crowd of wicked suitors who had killed so many sheep and oxen on her account, …
Athene appears in Ithaca disguised as Mentes at the palace entrance, where she finds the wooers feasting and arranging entertainments; Telemachus welcomes her as a stranger while the household prepares the meal.
and to sandy Pylos to seek tidings of his dear father’s return, if peradventure he may hear thereof and that so he may be had in good report among men.” She spake and bound beneath her feet her lovely golden sandals that wax not old, and bare her alike over the wet sea and over the limitless land, swift as the breath of the wind. And she seized her doughty spear, shod with sharp bronze, weighty and huge and strong, …
Telemachus asks Athene to stay for a bath and gift, promises she will be given something to carry home, and then returns to the wooers as Phemius sings; Penelope interrupts, urging him to stop a sorrowful song about the Achaeans’ pitiful return.
go down to the swift ship and to my men, who methinks chafe much at tarrying for me; and do thou thyself take heed and give ear unto my words.” Then wise Telemachus answered her, saying: “Sir, verily thou speakest these things out of a friendly heart, as a father to his son, and never will I forget them. But now I pray thee abide here, though eager to be gone, to the end that after thou hast bathed and had all thy h…
Telemachus and Athene arrive at Pylos, where Nestor’s people sacrifice bulls to Poseidon on the shore, feast, and welcome the strangers as Telemachus prepares to ask about his father Odysseus.
Nestor entertains Telemachus at Pylos and tells him how the Greeks departed from Troy; and sends him for further information to Sparta. Now the sun arose and left the lovely mere, speeding to the brazen heaven, to give light to the immortals and to mortal men on the earth, the graingiver, and they reached Pylos, the stablished castle of Neleus. There the people were doing sacrifice on the sea shore, slaying black bu…
Athene prays to Poseidon for Nestor’s renown and a safe return for Telemachus and herself, while Nestor’s son Peisistratus leads the libations and the feast continues before questioning begins.
the wisdom and judgment of the man, in that he had given to her first the chalice of gold. And straightway she prayed, and that instantly, to the lord Poseidon: “Hear me, Poseidon, girdler of the earth, and grudge not the fulfilment of this labour in answer to our prayer. To Nestor first and to his sons vouchsafe renown, and thereafter grant to all the people of Pylos a gracious recompense for this splendid hecatomb…
As night falls, Athene instructs them to continue the ritual—cut tongues of the victims, pour libations to Poseidon and other gods, and prepare for sleep—while Nestor urges Telemachus not to depart until morning.
where is Menelaus of the fair hair. Do thou thyself entreat him, that he may give thee unerring answer. He will not lie to thee, for he is very wise.” [6] Reading ἄστεος. v. 1. Ἄργεος, which must be wrong. Thus he spake, and the sun went down and darkness came on. Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, spake among them, saying: “Yea, old man, thou hast told all this thy tale aright. But come, cut up the tongues of the…
Telemachus and Peisistratus ride from Pylos to Pherae, rest for the night at Diocles’ house, and continue onward at dawn, moving toward their next destination.
“Lo now, my sons, yoke for Telemachus horses with flowing mane and lead them beneath the car, that he may get forward on his way.” Even so he spake, and they gave good heed and hearkened; and quickly they yoked the swift horses beneath the chariot. And the dame that kept the stores placed therein corn and wine and dainties, such as princes eat, the fosterlings of Zeus. So Telemachus stept up into the goodly car, and…
Arriving in Lacedaemon, Telemachus is taken to Menelaus’ feast for the wedding of his son and daughter, where Menelaus’s hospitality welcomes the strangers and Eteoneus and servants prepare them for banqueting.
Telemachus’ entertainment at Sparta, where Menelaus tells him what befell many of the Greeks on their return; that Odysseus was with Calypso in the isle Ogygia, as he was told by Proteus. And they came to Lacedaemon lying low among the caverned hills, and drave to the dwelling of renowned Menelaus. Him they found giving a feast in his house to many friends of his kin, a feast for the wedding of his noble son and dau…
Menelaus welcomes Nestor’s sons and confirms they are of royal lineage, then laments that Odysseus—his greatest fellow sufferer—remains missing, leaving Laertes, Penelope, and Telemachus grieving in Ithaca.
carver lifted and placed by them platters of divers kinds of flesh, and nigh them he set golden bowls. So Menelaus of the fair hair greeted the twain and spake: “Taste ye food and be glad, and thereafter when ye have supped, we will ask what men ye are; for the blood of your parents is not lost in you, but ye are of the line of men that are sceptred kings, the fosterlings of Zeus; for no churls could beget sons like…