Homer? Who is Homer?

 

If I'm going to stake a claim one way or the other, I'll say The Iliad and The Odyssey had two different authors.  I suppose much of the language is similar (although I'm obviously not qualified to judge the Greek), and clearly the second author was fully knowledgeable of the first work.  But the literary devices and non-sequential narrative of The Odyssey are so different than the straightforward chronicle of The Iliad.  And as Lattimore pointed out in the introduction, the use of simile and imagery language is more rampant in The Iliad as well.

A crude and blasphemous comparison: The Iliad  is "Cheers", while The Odyssey is "Frasier"-- the first using (and perfecting, and defining for all followers) a classic, repeatable chapter-to-chapter formula; the second establishing its own unique identity while expanding the genre's possibilities in a number of innovative directions (language, narrative structure).

Homer II should have included a special credit: "Based on the character 'Odysseus', created by Homer I."

The Odyssey, Book 24

Hermes leads the souls of the suitors in a chain-gang down to Hades.  There, the heroes of Ilion meet and converse.  Achilleus regrets the ultimately lowly death of Agamemnon.  Agamemnon, meanwhile, tells Achilleus the circumstances and grieving after his own death in battle.  Hermes arrives.  Agamemnon, to the suitor Amphimedon: "What are you guys doing here?"  Amphimedon quickly tells the history of their wooing Penelope, of her deceit with the weaving, and her stalling until the arrival of and slaughter by Odysseus.  Agamemnon: "Good for Penelope."

Odysseus and Telemachos arrive at Laertes house.  Odysseus approaches alone, playing again the disguise game to see if his father will recognize him.  He says he is Eperitos of Alybas, a one-time acquaintance of Odysseus, whom he met in passing five years earlier.  Laertes, distraught and not hopeful of his son's survival, wails.  Odysseus feels horribly, and reveals himself, showing his scar.  Weeping.  Telmachos comes in with Dolios, an old servant.  More weeping.

Rumor sweeps through the town, spreading news of the slaughter.  Eupeithes, father of Antinoos, speaks for all, urging that they chase down Odysseus for striking down so many good men.  Medon and the singer (the two Odysseus spared) try to talk them down, saying he was doing the business of the gods, who were there.  Eupeithes leads a march anyway.

Athene, to Zeus: "Crap.  Now what?"  Zeus: "Still your fault, sweetheart.  You figure it out."  Odysseus sees the marchers coming, and the ten that are there armor up.  Athene comes in the form of Mentor to urge valor.  She inspires strength in Laertes, who kills Eupeithes with one throw of the spear.  Odysseus leads a charge and kills many on the front line, while Athene prompts a retreat.  Odysseus tries to chase after, but Zeus strikes the ground in front of him with lightning.

Athene: "All right, sonny.  That's enough.  Just pack that in."

End.

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The final scene really is Monty Python-esque.  In case the reference above isn't clear:

The Odyssey, Book 23

Eurykleia fetches Penelope.  She disbelieves, repeatedly, that her husband has returned, even when told of the scar on his knee.  Finally entering the chamber herself, she views Odysseus carefully for some time, still refusing to believe it is him.  Odysseus asks that the others leave the room so they may speak in private; as an aside, he tells Telemachos to get ready, because they've got some explaining to do to the rest of the townspeople about all the dead suitors.  They should play music to pretend Penelope is actually having a wedding.

Odysseus bathes and approaches Penelope again.  O: "Let's got to bed, and I'll really show I'm your husband."  [Whoa.]  P: "Sure thing; I'll have a servant bring the bed into this room."  O: "Not likely-- I built that bed using an olive tree in the ground as one of the bedposts."  Penelope finally knows it is he.

They weep together.  Athene extends the night so they might have time together.  Odysseus lets on that his journey is not quite over, that Teiresias told him he must travel and make sacrifices to Poseidon before finally returning home.  Penelope is confident he will reach old age, though.  To bed.

...After, Penelope tells of the constant struggle she endured, and Odysseus relates his whole journey.  To recap: defeating the Kikonians, the Lotus-eaters, the Cyclops, Aiolos, Telepylos, Circe, Hades, Sirens, Charybdis and Skylla, cattle of Helios, Kalypso, and finally the Phaiakians.  They sleep.

Athene brings the dawn.  Odysseus vows to regather the riches the suitors deprived him of.  First, he plans a trip with Telemachos to see his father, Laertes.

----------------------

Looks like two chapters of closing action, similar to The Iliad.

xxiii.295-296:

"When she had brought them to the chamber she went back.  They then
gladly went together to bed, and their old ritual."

Delicate.

The Odyssey, Book 22

Odysseus shoots Alkinoos first, by surprise.  The suitors scold the "stranger", but then Odysseus reveals himself.  Eurymachos thinks fast, tries to say all the suitors' evil was Alkinoos's idea.  Odysseus won't have it, shoots him.  Amphinomos charges; Telemachos kills Amphinomos with a sword.  Then fetches armor.  Odysseus kills a few more.

Melanthios sneaks to the room where all the weapons were hidden, and sends arms and armor to the remaining suitors.  Eumaios and Philoitios go after him, catch him in the act, and string him up.  They return and the four make their stand.

Athene arrives in the form of Mentor to encourage them.  The suitors plead with "Mentor" to join their side.  Athene turns to a swallow and flies to the rafters to watch what happens next.  She also guides the suitors' spears astray.

Odysseus kills Demoptolemos, Telemachos kills Euryades, Eumaios kills Elatos, Philoitios kills Peisandros.

Odysseus kills Eurydamas, Telemachos kills Amphimedon, Eumaios kills Polybos, Philoitios kills Ktesippos. 

Odysseus kills Agelaos, Telemachos kills Leokritos.

Leodes rushes and begs Odysseus for mercy.  Killed.  Phemios the singer begs for mercy.  Telemachos tells his father to spare him, and also the herald Medon, if he's not already dead.  Medon rushes out from hiding and takes that deal.  The rest are dead.

Odysseus calls for Eurykleia, asks her to bring out all the unfaithful servant women.  They are made to clean up the mess, then marched out and hung en masse by Telemachos.  Melanthios is brought down from his perch, dismembered, and finally killed.

Odysseus asks for brimstone and sulphur for final cleaning.  Eurykleia suggests he change out of his rags before calling for Penelope.  The remaining servant women emerge and greet Odysseus gladly.

-----------------------

Gruesome.

The Odyssey, Book 21

Penelope begins the archery contest, retrieving the great bow Odysseus received from Iphitos.  Announces to the suitors that whoever can shoot an arrow through 12 axes gets her hand as a prize.  Antinoos sandbags, saying surely none can match Odysseus's strength.  Telemachos joins the contest, to keep his mother from marrying, and goes first.  He starts to make progress drawing the bowstring, but Odysseus shakes him off. 

Leodes fails.  Announces there is no hope for any of them in this contest.  Several more fail.

Odysseus pulls Eumaios and Philoitios the goatherd aside and asks if Odysseus would have their backing if he would appear.  They say yes, and Odysseus reveals himself to them.  Their job is to lock the doors to seal the suitors inside.

Back inside, Eurymachos and Antinoos finally fail.  Antinoos announces they may try again later, after more feasting has put them in the mood.  Odysseus asks for his chance, just for kicks.  Antinoos won't hear of it, saying it's beneath all of them to allow it.  Penelope answers that he's not doing it to marry her, anyway.  Eurymachos says that's not the point-- the suitors would all look bad  if word got out.  Penelope answers that they all look bad enough already.  Promises great prizes of clothing, weapons, and a journey to the stranger if he succeeds.  Telemachos: "Hell, I'll give him the bow."

Eumaios brings it to Odysseus.  He weighs it, and from his comfort the rest can tell something's up.  The doors are locked.  Odysseus easily fires from his chair, and the shot is true.

xxi. 424-430: "Telemachos, your guest that sits in your halls does not then
fail you; I missed no part of the mark, nor have I made much
work of stringing the bow; the strength is still sound within me,
and not as the suitors said in their scorn, making little of me.
Now is the time for their dinner to be served the Achaians
in the daylight, then follow with other entertainment,
the dance and the lyre; for these come at the end of the feasting."

Telemachos armors up.

------------------------

Badass.

The Odyssey, Book 20

Odysseus beds on the ground, while the women servantry go to bed with the suitors.  He can't sleep, tossing and turning over the slaughter he must plan.  Athene appears, and he asks how he might be successful while surviving the carnage.  She says she'll take care of everything.

Penelope starts awake, and prays (to Artemis) for death.  She can no longer bear having to marry one of the suitors.  And now the gods tease her by presenting a vision of a man so much like her husband.

At dawn, Odysseus asks Zeus for an omen of success and gets it-- a thunderclap.  Also overhears a mill servant asking the gods for Odysseus's return so that the cruel demands of the suitors may pass.  Odysseus smiles inwardly.

Telemachos arrives: "Why has the visitor slept on the ground?"  Eurykleia (the nurse): "That's how he would have it."

Eumaios (the swineherd) arrives: "How have you been treated, friend?"  O: "The men here deserve great punishment."

Melanthios (the goatherd) arrives: "How dare you still beg here?"  Odysseus seethes.

Philoitios (a cowherd) arrives: "Greetings, stranger.  I hate continuing to work for the suitors' benefit, but I cannot leave while Telemachos still runs the household."  O: "Odysseus will return.  You're about to see a show."

Bad omen (eagle with pigeon) shows itself to the suitors.  They feast again while waiting to kill Telemachos.  Telemachos puts them all on notice not to harm the beggar again.  Antinoos mutters threats.

Ktesippos hurls insults and hooves at Odysseus.  Telemachos tells him off.  Agelaos tells Telemachos to give it up-- Odysseus is never coming home.  Telemachos says he's not holding Penelope back from marrying-- but neither will he rush her actions.

At this, Athene inspires laughter among all the suitors.  Theoklymenos (the wandering prophet) scolds them all, foretelling their demise.  Eurymachos scoffs.  Theoklymenos leaves.  Suitors continue to tease Telemachos, who glances at his father awaiting the signal to act.

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I love the re-introduction, one by one, of every character we've seen in this setting so far.  I think each character from Ithaka makes an appearance in the chapter.  And for each, we know exactly what his fate will be from his lines in this chapter.  We, too, are just waiting for the signal, "... For they had first begun the wrongdoing." (xx.394)

And I can't resist:

The Odyssey, Book 19

Telemachos hides the weaponry so the suitors can't get to it later.  Penelope sits with Odysseus to ask him his story.  He refuses to name where he's from, but does consent to tell his history.  The story he invents this time is slightly different, and he focuses on where "he" had met Odysseus on his way to the war.  Penelope asks for a description, and he of course gives a perfect description of the very clothes Penelope had given to him.  Finally tells of the trials (he heard) on Odysseus's voyage home: the loss of his last companions on Thrinakia, the landing on the island of the Phaiakians.  [He doesn't mention his time with Circe, nor with Kalypso.]

Penelope offers a foot massage, given by Eurykleia, Odysseus's own nurse from long ago.  She recognizes a scar on his knee he received on a boar hunt as a child.  (He bagged the boar.)  She cries out, but Athene distracts Penelope.  Odysseus, meanwhile, threatens to kill her if she tells anybody.  She offers to rat out the women of the household who have been mutinous against Odysseus.  He says he'll find them out himself.

Penelope returns, still in sorrow over the reminders of Odysseus the conversation with the "stranger" have stirred in her.  She relates a recent dream: "Twenty geese in the house feed on my grain and water.  An eagle swoops in and kills them all.  I cry over the geese, but the eagle returns, saying, 'Have no fear.  The geese are the suitors, but I am your husband, returned.'  What could this mean?"  [How stupid is she?]  Odysseus: "Of course this means your husband is on his way back, as we speak, and he shall kill the evil suitors."  Penelope, still not convinced, ponders setting up an archery contest to finally determine which suitor she shall marry.  Odysseus encourages her to do so immediately, expecting her husband to arrive and win.  Penelope to bed.

The Odyssey, Book 18

Another beggar-- Arnaios, called "Iros"-- arrives and confronts Odysseus for horning in on his turf.  Odysseus tries to blow him off, but Alkinoos mockingly eggs them on to fight for the suitors' entertainment.  Odysseus uncloaks, and his appearance is staggering.  Then he kicks Iros's ass.  Amphinomos toasts him, but Odysseus responds by warning him of his upcoming fate.

Penelope decides to present herself to the assembly.  First Athene puts her to sleep, then makes her appearance radiant.  Penelope scolds Telemachos for not keeping order in the home.  T: "What could I do?  The stranger takes care of himself.  I wish he'd done the same to the suitors."  Eurymachos tries a line on Penelope.  She blows him off-- among other reasons, for daring to woo her while feasting on her possessions, rather than by showering her with gifts.  Led by Alkinoos, the suitors retrieve gifts, which are taken to Penelope's chamber.  [Is she just going to keep them all?]

Odysseus volunteers to keep the fire.  This starts a quarrel with a servantwoman.  Eurymachos mocks Odysseus for his victory over Iros, saying he would be helpless in any real sort of contest or labor.  Odysseus: "Just try me, pal."  Eurymachos hurls a stool at him but misses.  Tempers rising.  Telemachos scolds all the suitors and puts them in their place.

------------------------

The reveal of Odysseus as Odysseus is going to be awesome.

A really important passage  from this chapter sums up the entire philosophy of the book, I think.  Odysseus's response to Amphinomos, xviii.130-142:

"Of all creatures that breathe and walk on the earth there is nothing
more helpless than a man is, of all that the earth fosters;
for he thinks that he will never suffer misfortune in future
days, while the gods grant him courage, and his knees have spring
in them.  But when the blessed gods bring sad days upon him,
against his will he must suffer it with enduring spirit.
For the mind in men upon earth goes according to the fortunes
the Father of Gods and Men, day by day, bestows upon them.
For I myself once promised to be a man of prosperity,
but, giving way to force and violence, did many reckless
things, because I relied on my father and brothers.  Therefore,
let no man be altogether without the sense of righteousness,
but take in silence the gifts of the gods, whatever they give him."

Odysseus is speaking in the voice of his beggar character, but is relating his own views on his life as well.  And he speaks for all men:  Mankind is wretched.  He has earned nothing, and deserves nothing, yet believes himself to be of higher dignity than, or immune to, hardships.  But the world is run by forces beyond our control, nay, for forces beyond our control.  The correct attitude is gratitude for the good things that come our way, and dogged stoicism in the face of the rest.

It will be interesting to see how this philosophy is responded to by future writers, and especially by Christian writers who would disagree with the opening position.

The Odyssey, Book 17

Telemachus leaves to meet Penelope in person, Odysseus and Eumaios to follow later. Tearful reunion. While there, companion Peiraios arrives with Theoklymenos. Penelope complains that she still hasn't been told what Telemachos learned of Odysseus's whereabouts. Telemachos relates the information from Menelaos, up to the capture on Kalypso's island.  Theoclymenos states that Odysseus is in the city itself, or at least that's what the falcon said.

Eumaios brings Odysseus to the city where he can beg.  On the way, passed by Melanthios, bringing a goat for the suitors' evening meal.  Testy exchange, even coming to blows, but Odysseus remains unmoved (while seething underneath).  At the house, Odysseus's old dog Argos sees him, recognizes him, then dies. 

Inside, Odysseus makes a circuit of the room begging, and takes the measure of each suitor to determine his leniency later.  Many give.  Special rudeness, though, from Melanthios, and especially from Antinoos, who even throws a stool at him.  Penelope summons for the "beggar" for a face-to-face meeting, in hopes of his having heard of Odysseus's whereabouts.  Eumaios tells what he has already heard (that the stranger had heard of Odysseus at one of his recent stops), then fetches him.  But Odysseus refuses for now, promising to meet her later in the evening.  Eumaios leaves for his home.

The Odyssey, Book 16

Arrival of Telemachos at the swineherd's; Eumaios greets him as a father would, and Telemachos reciprocates. Eumaios introduces the stranger, Telemachos welcomes him to his home. Odysseus grills him on the status of the estate, says he would fight the suitors to the death over his honor. Telemachos says he can't do it alone, as much as he'd like to. Send Eumaios to give Penelope word of his return, and send a messenger to tell Laertes as well-- all in secret.

Athene removes Odysseus's disguise, and he appears as a god. O: "Telemachos, I am your father." T: "No, that's not true! That's impossible!" Much weeping. O: "The gods make me this way. I've come now to take on the suitors. Do we have a chance?" T: "There's even more than I let on-- hundreds." O: "What if Athene and Zeus fight with us?" T: "Uh, yeah, that'd help." O: "I'll go into the palace. Even let them abuse me. You hide the suitors' weapons. When I give the signal, it's go time. Pay close attention-- we'll decide from their reactions if we'll spare the women and servants."

Telemachos's companions arrive at the palace the same time as Eumaios, and announce Telemachos's return to Penelope, in public. Eurymachos: "We'd better bring back the ambush ship." But it has already come into harbor. E: "What the hell happened?" Antinoos: "He must have been under the protection of the gods. We missed him." Amphimonos: "Well we can't kill him now, unless the gods really really want us to."

Penelope shows herself and rebukes the suitors for their schemes against her son. Eurymachos: "I swear we won't lay a hand on Telemachos. On the other hand, if the gods were to kill him, it wouldn't exactly be our fault, would it."

Odysseus returned to his humble disguise, Eumaios comes back to the hut. E: "I saw a black ship in harbor, loaded with weapons. Were they trying to kill you, Telemachos?" Telemachos and Odysseus share a knowing glance. [Seriously, it's in there.]

-------------------

More than any other, this chapter actually read like a movie script. All the previous action is coalescing into a climactic confrontation scene. Previously muted characters (Penelope) are becoming emboldened. Wry lines are tossed off left and right. And Homer even writes in reaction shots captured by Camera B. Wild.

The Odyssey, Book 15

Athene arrives at Lakedaimon to retrieve Telemachos. Tells him the urgency of the situation-- Penelope's father and brothers are urging her to marry Eurymachos. And he better steal in in secret to avoid the ambush. Go see the swineherd upon arrival. Menelaos and Helen offer feast and gifts for his departure. During farewells, an eagle flies with a white goose in its talons-- an omen of the return home of Odysseus, says Helen.

Once at the boat, Telemachos blows off a meeting with Nestor because of his haste. While packing, approached by the prophet (of a family of prophets) from Argos, Theoklymenos, now a fugitive for killing a man. Theoklymenos: "Give me a lift, for I killed a man." Telemachos: "Hop in." Takes his spear, though.

Back on Ithaka, Odysseus talks his way into staying longer with Eumaios by saying he will beg in the city, then work as a servant in Odysseus's court for the suitors. Eumaios won't hear of it, and gives him what he needs. Odysseus asks of his own father and mother. Eumaios tells of the death of his mother, and the continued pining of Laertes. He knows them well, for he grew up with Ktimene, Odysseus's sister.

Odysseus asks of Eumaios's family history. Eumaios says he hails from island of Syria, a good place with no troubles. Phoenicians arrived, and plotted to take back a Phoenician girl working as Eumaios's nurse. They stayed a year, but upon leaving sent the signal for her departure and she took Eumaios with her. She died at sea, and Eumaios was sold to Laertes on Ithaka when the Phoenicians landed.

Telemachos arrives on Ithaka, and sends Theoklymenos to visit Eurymachos. A falcon carrying a pigeon shows itself-- another good omen. Telemachos walks to the swineherd's house...

The Odyssey, Book 14

Eumaios the swineherd watches over Odysseus's pigs-- a population that is falling as the suitors greedily eat the herd. He shoos away the dogs as Odysseus (in disguise) approaches, then welcomes him to his home, modest as it is. They eat young swine, as Eumaios tells of his great, and presumed dead, lord Odysseus. Odysseus tells him that Odysseus will indeed return home, but Eumaios won't hear it. And now also laments the fate of Telemachos, about to be ambushed by the suitors. But who are you, stranger?

Odysseus, spinning a tale: "I come from Crete. My father was a great rich man, Kastor, though my mother was a concubine. Upon his death, I was treated badly in the inheritance. I turned to war, and became a great leader of men. So much so that I travelled with Idomeneus [from Crete] in the siege of Ilion. I returned to Crete, but then, restless, travelled to Egypt, landing in the river Aigyptos [the Nile]. My men plundered the Egyptians, who in turn slaughtered us, but I surrendered. I was treated well, but then was conned by a Phoenician into travlling with him in search of fortune. We went to Libya, where I was to be sold, but a storm rose and smashed the ship. I was washed onto the island Thesprosia and taken care of by the hero Pheidon. There I heard that Odysseus was travelling home. I myself was to be taken to the king Akastos on the island of Doulichion, but at sea the men enslaved me instead. They dressed me in rags, then went ashore onto Ithaka. I escaped my bonds by the help of the gods, and made my way to land here."

Eumaios: "Quite a story. But I've been lied to before about Odysseus, and in similar fashion." O: "Here's a deal. I give you permission to kill me if I've talked falsely." E: "Right, make me look bad." They dine, now on the fattest of the pigs-- Eumaios is a virtuous man.

Drunk, and cold, Odysseus seeks a mantle for the night. He spins a story of how he needed a mantle during a cold night in Troy, and how Odysseus tricked another soldier into leaving one for him. Eumaios gladly gives him what he needs, and they retire. Eumaios sleeps with the pigs.

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I don't think this kind of story is what Athene had in mind when she dressed Odysseus in rags. He's supposed to be a lowly wanderer so he can gather information, and instead he makes himself out to be a great warrior who just happened to be placed in rags by his enemies at the last second. Way to play the part, Odysseus. No wonder Eumaios didn't believe him.

The Odyssey, Book 13

The tale is finished.  More and better gifts are ordered for Odysseus, and packed in the ship to take him home.  Another feast, with singing by Demodokos.  Odysseus getting antsy.  The next day, the Phaiakians drop him off in a natural harbor on Ithaka, with all his stuff, while he sleeps.  Then they sail for home.

Poseidon: "Wait a minute.  What happened to the hardships I promised?  Look at all his stuff!"  Zeus: "Do what you want." P: "I'll bury the Phaiakians under a mountain."  Z: "Just that ship that carried Odysseus."  It is done.  The Phaiakians see the ship turn to a rock from afar, and Alkinoos is reminded of the prophecy his father had told him, related in Book 8, now come true.  Alkinoos: "We're not giving a lift to wanderers ever again."

Athene shrouds Ithaka in fog and secrecy, then Odysseus awakes.  O: "Aw, dammit!  A new island.  Better count my stuff."  Athene appears in the form of a herdsman.  O: "Where am I?"  A: "Hello, um... stranger.  You're on Ithaka."  O (acting coy again): "Ithaka, eh?  I've heard of that.  I killed a man in Crete, and the Phoenicians dropped me off here.  Don't touch my stuff."  A: "It is I, the goddess Athene, who has been protecting you all these years.  Now I'll get you home"  O: "Wait a minute.  What have you done for me the last 15 years?"  A: "Well, I didn't want to get in Poseidon's way."  Unveils the island.

They hide his stuff in a cave, then plot their revenge against the suitors.  O: "Good thing you stopped me from rushing in.  Together we can make their blood run freely."  A: "Looking forward to it.  Disguise yourself as a swineherd, and I'll get your son, Telemachus, back here."  O: "Why didn't you tell him how I was?"  A: "Don't worry, I protected him on his journey, too.  I mean, he's about to sail into an ambush, but he'll be fine."  Odysseus's appearance is lessened to that of a tramp.

--------------------------

Was this book supposed to be funny?  I thought it was hilarious.  The gods look more ridiculous than usual.

The Odyssey, Book 12

Return to Aiaia.  Burial of Elpenor.  Circe takes Odysseus aside and prepares him for his next adventures.  First, he must stop the ears of his companions with wax to avoid the lure of the Sirens, while they lash him to the mast to keep him from following the song.

Next, they must sail through the Roving Rocks, between the monsters Skylla-- a six-headed man-eating she-beast-- and Charybdis-- a great sucking whirlpool offering no escape.  Circe advises to err on the side of Skylla, for it is better to lose six men than all.

Finally, they will come to the island of Thrinakia where Helios keeps his immortal cattle.  If they resist feasting on the cattle, all might return to Ithaka.  If not, only Odysseus may make it home.

They sail.  The waters are calm by the Sirens, and the men row as Odysseus is tempted by their song.  Only the lashings hold him.

The storm rises as they approach the Rocks.  Odysseus warns them to avoid falling into Charybdis's maw, neglecting to tell them of Skylla's appetite.  Six are killed.

Next they near Thrinakia, while Odysseus begs them not to land there.  Eurylochos convinces them to stay overnight.  They land; Zeus sends up a storm and strands them on the island for a month.  They eat their reserves of food while Odysseus instructs them not to kill the cattle.  But while he is out and falls asleep, Eurylochos leads them to kill the best of the cattle.  Odysseus learns of this, and knows they are doomed.

Helios complains (threatening to shine on Hades instead of the world) to Zeus, who promises to avenge the loss on the open sea.  The dead meat groans as the men eat it.  A week later, the storm calms, and the ship sets sail again.  Away from all land, the mast is struck by lightning and the men drown.  Odysseus climbs on the wreckage and drifts toward Charybdis.  He holds onto a branch while the wreckage is sucked down, waits all day for the waters to return, then drifts again, saved from Skylla.  He lands finally on the island of Ogygia, home of Kalypso.

"But you've heard that one already."

-----------------------------

Song of the Sirens, xii.184-191:

"Come this way, honored Odysseus, great glory of the Achaians,
and stay your ship, so that you can listen here to our singing;
for no one else has ever sailed past this place in his black ship
until he has listened to the honey-sweet voice that issues
from our lips; then goes on, well pleased, knowing more than ever
he did; for we know everything that the Argives and Trojans
did and suffered in wide Troy through the gods' despite.
Over all the generous earth we know everything that happens."

Was Odysseus tempted by their beauty, or by their promise of knowledge?  Surely after a ten-plus-year siege of Troy, he would ask himself what purpose it served, what meaning the gods took from the sacrifice of so many good men, whether it was all a cruel joke or a mistake, or whether his and the others' deeds would be remembered for good.  "Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God."  Clever, clever Sirens.

And even if it's mostly unrelated, I can't pass up linking this:

The Odyssey, Book 11

Across the water to follow Circe's directive.  Past the Kimmerian people who live in shadow and fog, to the entrance of Hades.  Sacrifices to summon the dead, looking for Teiresias for instructions.  But first, Odysseus is visited by the soul of Elpenor, who tells of his death one Book ago.  "When you return to the island of Aiaia (because you will), give me a proper burial."

Next Teiresias.  "You're fighting off Poseidon.  You must withstand desire [the Sirens?], then leave Helios's cattle alone.  If not, you'll all be destroyed.  If so, only you, Odysseus, will return home.  Once home, slaughter the suitors, sacrifice to Poseidon, and long after that you will die at sea."

Odysseus's mother, Antikleia.  Odysseus: "How did you die?  How are my father, son, and wife?"  Antikleia: "Telemachus is fine and tending to your estate.  Your father is alive, though in grief.  I died from my longing for you."

Next, a parade of women through history, sent by Persephone.  Notables: Tyro, mother of Pelias and Neleus by Poseidon, founders of Pylos; Antiope, mother of Amphion and Zethos, founders of Thebes; Alkmene, mother of Herakles; Epikaste, mother of Oedipus; Chloris, mother of Nestor; Ariadne, daughter of Minos and damsel of Theseus;

Break.

Arete, hearing this story of Odysseus's, honors him and insists on gifts greater than before.  Alkinoos asks him to stay another night, and asks if he saw any of his companions from the war while in Hades.  Back to the story

Odysseus approached by Agamemnon, and asks how he perished.  Agamemnon: "I died at the hands of Aigisthos and my sluttish wife Klytaimestra.  Kassandra also killed at her hand.  Beware your wife upon your return.  But Penelope is fairer than Klytaimestra, who never let me see my own son.  How is Orestes?"  Odysseus: "I haven't been back yet."

Next approached by Achilleus, Patroklos, Antilochos, and Aias.  Achilleus says the humblest alive is better than the king over the dead.  And how is his son, Neoptolemos?  Odysseus: "He was a great fighter at Troy, always leading the charge.  He was the most eager for the fight while we were in the horse.  Never injured in battle."

Odysseus tries to apologize to Aias over their quarrel over Achilleus's armor.  Aias turns away in silence.

Now a parade of the giants of the past.  Notables: King Minos, Orion, Tityos (vultures eating his liver), Tantalos (chained and unable to drink), Sisyphos (pushing stone up the hill).  Finally Herakles makes an appearance, though he lives among the gods, who tells Odysseus of his own visit to Hades during his life.

Finally, in fear of the hordes of souls closing in, Odysseus turns and leaves.  The ship sets sail to return to Aiaia.

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I read this in full at least four times-- in part because of the break-- but mostly because it seems hugely important.  Here Odysseus is acknowledging his place in the long history of Greek heroes, and also elevating his own adventures into that arena-- he acknowledges that his travails are making him the next great Greek hero.  At the same time, it seems Homer is elevating his own story and explicitly declaring it as the proper continuation of the Greek myths-- and so as the next contribution to the greatness of Greek civilization.

It seems hugely important that Homer would be so aware that his project is but an addition to the tradition of literature he has inherited.  It is also impressive that Homer recognizes that tradition as indicative of a great civilization, and aims to add to the greatness.  Ultimately, I think this is where the singular greatness of Homer stems from.  And from a literary standpoint, having the story's internal narrator speak the writer's intentions and change the audience's perspective like that seems like an enormous innovation that has obviously been imitated ever since.

Also interesting in this book is the whiplash that occurs when Homer returns to Odysseus's audience in Alkinoos.  We the reader (or listener) have been drawn into Homer's story completely just as those listeners must have been drawn into Odysseus's.  The reminder is quite striking.  Another serious innovation.

I don't think I saw anything like these innovations in The Iliad.  Homer is being far more clever and playful than before.

The Odyssey, Book 10

Next up, the island of Aiolos (both island and man).  Treated well, Aiolos sends them off with a gift for Odyssesus: a sack containing all the winds they might need for the journey home.  They sail within sight of Ithaca, at which point Odysseus finally takes a rest.  His companions, thinking the gift was gold, jealously open the sack, releasing the winds, and blowing them back to Aiolos.  He refuses them further aid, saying Odysseus must be cursed by the gods and he won't mess with that.

Next, the island of Lamos, home to the Laistrygones.  They land and explore the island, eventually coming to the queen and king, Antiphates, giants.  They kill some, and alert the other Laistrygones to strike.  Most perish; Odysseus escapes with one ship remaining.

Next, the island of Aiaia, home of Circes.  Odysseus goes first and find's location of Circe's palace.  A team of half the remaining men set out to explore, in great fear for their lives after previous excursions.  Surrounded by docile and enchanted lions and wolves, they come to Circe's palace, where they are welcomed, pampered, and fed.  They're also changed into pigs, with only Eurylochos escaping back to tell Odysseus.

He returns alone.  Along the way, he is met by Hermes, who gives him a potion-- "moly"-- to resist Circe's poison and told how to win her over.  At the palace, the poison doesn't affect Odysseus; he lunges at Circe with his sword; she begs to be spared.  Says he must be Odysseus, as Hermes foretold to her would eventually arrive on the island.  Swears to hurt him no longer.  She seduces him; he asks first that his companions be restored.  They turn back to men, looking better than ever.

They return to the rest of the companions at the ship.  Odysseus convinces them all to go to the palace, where it's safe now.  Eurylochos resists, not trusting any of Odysseus's plans anymore.  Odysseus considers killing him, but is talked down, still seething in resentment.  They are pampered at the palace, and stay for a year.  Finally the men ask to return home, and Odysseus approaches Circe.  He is told he must first confront Hades and Persephone (Hades' wife), and consult with the dead prophet Teiresias for his next move.  Given specific instructions as to how to find Hades, and what sacrifices to make in order to summon Teiresias.  He wakes his men; Elpenor falls off the roof and dies.  Once they're all back in the ship, Odysseus tells them they're not going home, they're off to Hades first.  The men are miserable.

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Holy moly, perhaps?

Eurylochos certainly has a point.  At the moment, Odysseus sucks.

Update: (10 minutes later) Aha!  I was right!

"Direct me gods, whose changes are all holy / To where it flickers deep in grass, the moly:"
 -- Thom Gunn, 20th century American poet, Moly

The Odyssey, Book 9

Odysseus announces his name, and begins to tell his adventures since the fall of Ilion.  First, that he greatly misses his home, better even than the island where Kalypso seduced him, better than the other island where Circe did the same.

First the island of Ismaros, home of the Kikonians.  Odysseus and his men sack and plunder.  Then feast, rather than leaving early.  The Kikonians call in reinforcements and raid the camp; many of Odysseus's men are killed, while the rest flee.

Next the island of the Lotus-Eaters.  A scout team was sent to the city, but they were taken in by the promise of eating endless Lotus and wouldn't return.  Odysseus forced them back bound and left quickly.

Next the land of the Cyclopes, a wild race living on uncivilized islands-- uncivilized because there was no need to be.  The crops cultivated themselves.  Odysseus lands on uninhabited island, teeming with wild sheep and goats.  They feast on 108.  One ship sent to the next island over to learn about the Cyclopian people.  From there, a small team led by Odysseus go to explore the cave of the giant man living on this island.

They find flocks of sheep and goats in pens within the cave.  Alone, they eat the cheese that is being prepared.  Odysseus's companions want to leave quickly with a bounty of animals; Odysseus thinks it better to wait for the giant and try to win presents as visitors.

The giant returns, rolls a giant stone in the mouth of the cave, and milks the goats.  Noticing the men, Odysseus announces who they are and asks for hospitality, in the name of Zeus.  Giant doesn't respect Zeus, but asks where their ship is.  Sensing danger, Odysseus says it was crushed and the remaining men are dead.  Giant eats kills and eats two men for dinner.  Next morning, he eats two for breakfast, then leaves the cave with the remaining men inside.

Odysseus hatches a plan, prepares a giant spear for later.  Giant returns, eats two more men.  Odysseus offers some of the potent wine he brought from the ship.  Giant enjoys it and asks for more, offering a gift if Odysseus obliges and tells his name.  He does, but says his name is "Nobody"; giant: "Your gift is that I'll eat you last."  After more wine, he falls asleep drunk (and belches up human parts, apparently).  Odysseus and his men drive the red-hot spear through his eye.

Giant runs out of the cave, while other Cyclopes run to his aid.  "Polyphemos (his name), what happened?"  Polyphemos: "Nobody is trying to kill me."  Other Cyclopes: "In that case, you're being harmed by Zeus.  Pray to your father Poseidon for relief."

Polyphemos sits at cave entrance and feels ground for men trying to escape.  Odysseus ties his men underneath sheep, and they escape detection as they leave the cave.  Drive the sheep back to the boat and push off, but Odysseus taunts Polyphemos, who tosses a boulder in the sea that pulls the ship back to shore.  The boat quickly shoves off again.  Farther away, against the wishes of the men, Odysseus taunts Polyphemos again and announces his true name.

Polyphemos: "That explains it.  There was a prophecy that I would be harmed at the hands of Odysseus.  Let me ask my father Poseidon to heal me and help me get back."  Odysseus: "Even your father can never heal the wound I inflicted."  Polyphemos: "In that case, let me ask Poseidon to make the rest of your journey difficult and miserable, and if you ever return to Ithaka, find your household in disarray."  Throws another stone that roils the sea.

Odysseus returns to uninhabited island.  They feast, and Odysseus makes sacrifice to Zeus for passage home, to no avail.  They set sail again.

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Saved, at least in part, by a pun?  I'm awfully glad that literary cleverness has come a long way since then.  Not bad for a first stab at it though, Homer.

Odysseus acts like an idiot in this book.  Most of his decisions turn out very, very badly, except for the escape.  By having Polyphemos announce the prophecy, though, it makes it ambiguous whether this failure is really Odysseus's own fault.  Could the prophecy have been avoided?  Now that the gods are involved, are Odysseus's coming travails in any way avoidable?  What use will his cleverness actually be if it does not allow him to escape fate?  The ultimate question...

The Odyssey, Book 8

Alkinoos calls an assembly (gathered ultimately by Athene) to send off Odysseus.  Feasting, followed by singing by the blind poet Demodokos, who tells the story of the sack of Ilion.  Odysseus weeps uncontrollably, but hides it (except from Alkinoos).  Call for contests, so that Odysseus may return home with stories of the strength and skill of the Phaiakians.  Footrace, wrestling, long jump, discus, boxing.  Alkinoos's son Laodamas invites Odysseus to try his hand, but he declines.  Euryalos mocks him for it, claiming he likely has no skill at contests.  Angered, Odysseus explains to the young man that talents are all distributed unequally.  Then takes the heaviest discus, and wins.  Athene brags on him.  Odysseus brags on himself for his abilities in all contests-- wrestling to archery. 

More entertainment, as Demodokos tells a story of the gods.  "Hephaistos, married to Aphrodite, learns of her affair with Ares.  Hephaistos sets a trap whereby the two are ensnared when they next go to bed together.  The gods gather and laugh mercilessly at their predicament.  But Apollo: 'Nudge, nudge.  Ain't so bad, being tied down in bed with Aphrodite, eh?'  Hermes: 'You got that right.'  Hephaistos seeks and gets repayment for Aphrodite's betrayal."  Odysseus impressed with the story.

Looking for some other skill Odysseus might tell of upon his return, Alkinoos's two sons Laodamas and Halios dance.  It involves throwing a ball back and forth as well.  Odysseus impressed.

More feasting.  Euryalos apologizes.  Gift giving from all the lords and from Arete.  Farewell from Nausikaa.  More storytelling from Demodokos.  Odysseus requests story of the Trojan Horse, and Demodokos obliges.  Once again Odysseus is driven to tears, and once again Alkinoos takes note.  Finally, Alkinoos says Odysseus may go with the good wishes of all the Phaiakians.  But first asks him his name, and his adventures at sea before arriving on their island.  And how come he is so affected by stories from Ilion?

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Quite a bit of self-flattery by Homer in this book, I think.  Demodokos is clearly modelled on himself, down to the blindness.  And of course he regales the audience with the story of the Iliad.  Whether this points to a unitary author between these works, I have no idea.

I was surprised to see that Odysseus hasn't actually revealed who he is to the Phaiakians as of yet.  But thinking back, I guess the royal family has so far been impressed just with his stature and god-like visage.  And they have merely shown the hospitality that one must show for a stranger lost at sea, at least one who has displayed the manners and good sense that Odysseus has so far.

Once again, this sets up a far more interesting structure for the overall narrative.  Odysseus now has the chance to explain his adventures prior to landing on Kalypso's island.  The back-and-forth jumps through time have been really well done.  (Duh, it's Homer.)

The Odyssey, Book 7

Odysseus waits, then follows Nausikaa to the palace.  Athene appears and escorts him there, shrouding him in fog from the people.  Upon arrival, she withdraws to Athens.  Description of the palace.  Odysseus throws himself at the feet of Arete the queen.  Alkinoos the king feeds him, gives him his son's seat.  They plan to set him off on his voyage in the morning (much as Menelaos did for Telemachus).  But first, Arete notices his clothing (from Nausikaa) and asks frome where he comes.  Odysseus explains his loss of his companions at sea, his capture by Kalypso on the island of Ogygia for eight years, and finally his release and the details of his voyage from there to the island of the Phaiakians, all the action of Book 5.  Alkinoos wishes that Odysseus could be a husband to Nausikaa, but instead he must finish his voyage home.  They send him to bed.

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Another really short book.  Where's all the action?

The vivid description of the palace reminded me of the description of the shield that Hephaistos forged for Achilleus in The Iliad.  Once again, it has been turned into artwork.  A sample:

The Odyssey, Book 6

While Odysseus sleeps, Athene goes ahead to Scheria, the city of the Phaiakians.  Enters the room of the king Alkinoos's daughter Nausikaa.  Appearing as her friend, tells her to do her wedding laundry the next day.  She goes to the river with her attendants.  While there, Athene wakens Odysseus and he sees them.  Debates throwing himself at her feet (knees), or calling out from afar.  Since he's naked, that's what he does.  Asks for clothing and food, and Nausikaa obliges.

He bathes, and Athene makes his appearance like that of the gods.  Nusikaa is impressed.  She plans to bring him to her parents for rest, but is afraid of the scandal of being seen in public by the dockworkers with a man not her husband.  Instead, Odysseus will wait outside her home, enter later, and throw himself at the queen's feet.  She will gladly offer lodging and passage to Odysseus's home.

While waiting, Odysseus prays to Athene for protection.  She keeps herself hidden.

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A very short book, far shorter than anything in The Iliad.  Odysseus's decision-making is once again at the fore-- and both his choices come to pass, albeit at different times.  It's like a Choose Your Own Adventure.

Very clever of the Coen brothers to combine the Sirens with the laundry scene.  I wonder if I'll be seeing more of that kind of thing.