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The Odyssey
By Homer
Written 800 B.C.E
Translated by Samuel Butler
Table of Contents
Book I Go to next
Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy. Many cities did he visit, and many were the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men safely home; but do what he might he could not save his men, for they perished through their own sheer folly in eating the cattle of the Sun-god Hyperion; so the god prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell me, too, about all these things, O daughter of Jove, from whatsoever source you may know them.
So now all who escaped death in battle or by shipwreck had got safely home except Ulysses, and he, though he was longing to return to his wife and country, was detained by the goddess Calypso, who had got him into a large cave and wanted to marry him. But as years went by, there came a time when the gods settled that he should go back to Ithaca; even then, however, when he was among his own people, his troubles were not yet over; nevertheless all the gods had now begun to pity him except Neptune, who still persecuted him without ceasing and would not let him get home.
Now Neptune had gone off to the Ethiopians, who are at the world's end, and lie in two halves, the one looking West and the other East. He had gone there to accept a hecatomb of sheep and oxen, and was enjoying himself at his festival; but the other gods met in the house of Olympian Jove, and the sire of gods and men spoke first. At that moment he was thinking of Aegisthus, who had been killed by Agamemnon's son Orestes; so he said to the other gods:
Example output
In the passage, Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, is visited by a goddess in disguise, who encourages him to seek information about his father's whereabouts. The suitors, who have been living in his father's house and trying to win the affections of his mother, Penelope, are hostile towards him and ask about the stranger who has just left. Telemachus tells them that he was an old friend of his father's, Mentes, son of Anchialus, chief of the Taphians. However, he secretly knows that it was a goddess who visited him.
After the suitors leave, Telemachus goes to his room, accompanied by a trusted servant named Euryclea. She lights the way with torches and helps him to undress. Telemachus then thinks about the advice that the goddess gave him and his upcoming journey to seek information about his father.
The passage illustrates the complex relationships and power dynamics within Telemachus's household. The suitors, who are trying to win Penelope's hand in marriage, are hostile towards Telemachus, who is seen as a potential threat to their aspirations. Despite this, Telemachus remains polite and respectful towards them, demonstrating his maturity and self-control.
The passage also highlights the role of women in ancient Greek society. Euryclea, who is a trusted servant and a surrogate mother figure to Telemachus, is shown to be both loyal and capable. However, she is also subject to the whims of the male household members, particularly Penelope and Laertes.
Finally, the passage introduces the theme of divine intervention. The goddess Athena visits Telemachus in disguise and gives him advice that will help him on his journey. This highlights the importance of the gods and goddesses in ancient Greek society and their role in shaping the lives of mortals.
Overall, the passage provides a glimpse into the complex social dynamics of ancient Greek society, as well as the important role of the gods and goddesses in shaping the lives of mortals. It also highlights the importance of loyalty and trust in relationships, particularly within a household setting.