Odysseus Guise Of A Mortal Man Essay

Odysseus: Guise Of A Mortal Man Essay, Research Paper

‘.You! You chameleon! / Bottomless bag of tricks! Here in your own country / would you not give your stratagems a rest / or stop spellbinding for an instant.’ (Homer, XIII, 345-48) This exchange between the Grey Eyed Goddess Athena marks Odysseus’ return to his homeland of Ithaca, and spells doom for the Suitors. But it is also the embodiment of what Odysseus is. His guile and wit are compared many times to the great gods of Olympus. And it is these skills as a deceiver that allow him to conduct surveys of his people in secrecy, and ultimately save his life.

Upon his return to Ithaca, Odysseus met up with a stranger upon its shores. Not trusting his surroundings he concealed his identity, little did he know that the Grey Eyed Goddess Athena was the one he had encountered. After an exchange of deception Athena made herself known, telling Odysseus of the evils of the suitors and their siege upon his castle. At this she tells him of a plan, a plan to test the loyalties of his servants and his home. Athena disguises Odysseus as an old beggar, making his cloths tattered, and his skin leathery. And tells him to venture inland to the home of the swineherd, Eumaios. Here he begins his trials of the people of Ithaca, testing their worth.

Eumaios, also referred to as ‘O my swineherd’ by Homer, is an old and faithful servant to the house of Odysseus. He tends to his swine along with a few young hands. Daily he is required to send his best hogs to the manor to feed the gluttonous suitors that eat away at Odysseus’ home and stores.

On the eve of Odysseus’ return Eumaios was tending his herd as he had done countless nights before, when an old man appeared on his land. ‘Twas Odysseus shrouded in the beggar skin given to him by Athena. Upon his arrival the herd hounds charged the stranger. Odysseus, seeing his first opportunity to test one of his subjects, merely sits on the ground, welcoming the onslaught. Eumaios, seeing the stranger in peril, jumped to his feet and threw stones and the baying hounds. After some brief questioning on the part of Eumaios, he offers Odysseus a seat by his fire to eat and drink to his hearts content. During this dining Odysseus and Eumaios take turns questioning one another. Odysseus, through this dialog, determines that Eumaios is a loyal servant, and a valuable ally in the fight against the suitors. Together they talk the night away, telling tales of times forgotten, until sweet sleep cast its spell on them both.

Meanwhile, dancing Athena turned south to the land of Lakedaimon in search of Odysseus’ son, Telemakos. Telemakos, at the prompting of Athena, had traveled abroad looking answers concerning the fate of his father. But after speaking with King Menelaos he was bid to bed down in his castle for a night to rest his bones. But Athena came to him, instructing him to return home, for his mother had chosen a suitor to marry, although this was a lie to stir in him the desire to return home. She also warns him of the suitors plot to intercept his cutter and destroy him on his voyage home.

After a few urgent words from Telemakos the great king Menelaos allowed him to depart, but insists that he return with gifts a-plenty. On the trip home Telemakos has his crew drop him off on the far shores of Ithaca, to avoid the ambush the suitors had set. The Grey Eyed Goddess Athena instructed Telemakos to first return to the swineherd Eumaios’ cabin, and bed there for a night to avoid the watchful eyes of the suitors. It is here that Telemakos first meets his father in beggar disguise.

Seeing his son enter the cabin, Odysseus could barley contain his emotions. But he set his mind to scheming again, ever vigilant and wary. When Telemakos entered he stood to test his hospitality. Telemakos, seeing the old beggar stand, immediately motioned for him to sit and offered him meat and drink. Odysseus’ heart swelled with pride seeing his young son turn into the man standing before him. But Telemakos was lacking spirit. He was fawning in the shadow of the suitors so Odysseus and the Grey Eyed Goddess Athena attempted to rouse his anger. Odysseus steps forward:

‘.All that you say

gives me an inward wound as I sit listening.

I mean this wanton game they play, these fellows [suitors],

riding roughshod over you in your own house,

Admirable as you are. But tell me,

are you resigned to being bled. The townsmen,

stirred up against you, are they, by some oracle.’

(Homer, XVI, 99-105)

At this the great Odysseus leaves the room, beckoned by Pallas Athena to the outdoors. Here she restores him to his kingly self, so he may reveal his identity to his son. Telemakos had sent Eumaios on an errand to the city, leaving him alone for the return of his father. After some doubt, Telemakos accepts Odysseus for who he is, from there they begin to plot the destruction of the suitors. But Athena convinces Odysseus to retain his beggar for so that he may still test his peasants.

The next day Eumaios led Odysseus to town so he could ‘beg’ from the townsfolk. On their way to the castle they encountered Melanthios, the cowherd. Long ago he had decided to join forces with the suitors, forsaking his king and queen. His lack of honor shows itself in this encounter with Eumaios and Odysseus. He starts by sling

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