Book XIV--Hospitality in the Forest
|Summary|Characters & Their Lessons|Literary Devices|Symbolism|Connections|Links & References|
Summary
Odysseus, disguised as a vagabond by Athena, approaches the
swineherd Eumaeus for shelter. His stone hut was constructed of wild pear wood, surrounded by an oak palisade, which is overlooking the sties of all of his livestock. Dogs guard the sties, so they bark to let Eumaeus that Odysseus was approaching. Eumaeus doesn’t recognize the incognito Odysseus as his master and invites him in. He tries to convince Eumaeus that Odysseus’ homecoming will be soon. Eumaeus still invites Odysseus in after debating about whether he will return or not, and gives him tips of fur from his own bedcovering to make Odysseus a couch. The swineherd is rather pessimistic because he thinks that Odysseus is dead; never to return and that Odysseus, disguised as a vagabond, is just another beggar trying to marry off to Penelope in order to obtain wealth. Although Eumaeus may seem pessimistic about Odysseus’ homecoming, he also mentions to Odysseus that he misses him more than he misses his parents, and how faithful he was to Odysseus, as a provider of livestock and a servant. Eumaeus asks Odysseus who he is and where he came from. Odysseus then lies and says that he is from Crete and fought in the Trojan War. In his lie, he mentions that he heard that Odysseus stayed at one of the foreign islands that he stayed at, and although Odysseus may be lost at sea, he managed to survive and thus, drifted here. Obviously because Eumaeus thinks that Odysseus is dead, he doesn’t believe the disguised Odysseus. After Eumaeus sends his servants to cook pigs for him and Odysseus, he tells him how Penelope will give new clothes to anybody who has washed up on land and tells her their story. When they are done eating Odysseus tests Eumaeus’ loyalty by telling him a story about how Odysseus gave him a cloak on a freezing night during the Trojan War. Eumaeus shows his loyalty by offering Odysseus a place to sleep by the fire and a cloak.
Characters & Their Lessons
Character: Odysseus
Description: Odysseus is the epic hero of the Odyssey and at every stop he makes during his journey, there are lessons to be learned. Odysseus is a hero, and like every other hero, he has a flaw. His flaw being; his hubris or his sense of over-confidence and arrogance. In this book, Odysseus learns arguably one of the most important lessons in the entire Odyssey. "Tush, friend, rudeness to a stranger is not decency," (pg. 249, lines 66-69). This is told to Odysseus from Eumaeus and it conveys that no matter what someone's rank is in comparison to you, treat them with kindness. We know Odysseus as a round character because we have watched him develop and we can sometimes predict his actions. The development of Odysseus is not simple though. He proves that he has changed at some points clarifying that he is a dynamic character. At the end of book XIII, Athena transforms Odysseus’ young body into an old shriveled up man. In this way, he is disguised from all people. Even Eumaeus, the swineherd, doesn’t recognize him.
“Speaking no more, she touched him with her wand,
Shriveled the clear skin of his arms and legs,
Made all his hair fall out, cast over him
the wrinkled hide of an old man, and bleared
both his eyes, that were so bright…”
-Book XIII, Lines 538-542
Lesson: However, even though he has learned loyalty, he still cheats on Penelope. Even though he is quick-witted, he still injures the Kyklopes and foolishly brags about it angering Poseidon. Therefore, just because Eumaeus has taught Odysseus to respect others, doesn't mean Odysseus will follow through.
Character: Eumaeus
Description: Eumaeus is a role model character. If everyone in the Odyssey was like Eumaeus, the plot would be boring and happy-go-lucky. To start, Eumaeus is dedicated and hard working. He was extremely appreciative of his former master Odysseus and longs for him to return. He works in the fields for Odysseus' family and cares for the estate greatly. He is welcoming to everyone and treats people equally and respectfully. One could say Eumaeus is a static character. Odysseus’ loyal servant shows his grief to his supposedly passed lord by ranting on and on about how kind and generous Odysseus was. From this, Odysseus (the old man) learns that some of his people are still faithful and trustworthy to help him overcome the suitors. Eumaeus also talks about how Odysseus would have given him a pleasant wife, home, and possessions, if he was still alive and well. Eumaeus is often referred to as the swineherd or “you.” Many scholars find it interesting that he is the only character in the whole story that the narrator refers to in the second person.
Character: Other Characters Mentioned
Description: Penelope, Laertes, Zeus, Helen, Agamemnon, Telemachus, Arkesios, Menelaus, Ares, Athena, Ithaca/Akhaians, Troy/Trojans,
Olympus
Literary Devices
Sensory Language/Diction
During the description of Odysseus' journey to Eumaeus' hut, sensory language and strong diction was used in the line "...through the wooded cove, down the stony trail...up the high hills..."(pg.247, lines 1-2). These literary devices stimulate the senses so you can further understand what's going on.
Protagonist
In the poem the
Odyssey, the
protagonist and the main character is Odysseus. He is the protagonist/main character because all of the problems and events that happen are all based on what happened to Odysseus and what he’s doing. Even in the Telemachy when Telemakhos sets out on his journey to get information about where his dad is, he is doing it because of Odysseus. Although many books of the
Odyssey don’t directly address Odysseus, the meaning and reason to those books are all because of him.
Antagonist
On the other hand, there are many
antagonists who are all against one of the two main characters who witness adventures: Telemakhos and Odysseus. The main antagonist is the Greek god Poseidon, the son of Zeus. He is the main antagonist because he starts the bad proceedings of Odysseus and his crew. He is the first one to mess up Odysseus’ great trip. First Odysseus has victorious fights in the Trojan War. Then, all at once when he is starting to sail home from the Island of Helios, Poseidon, the earth shaker, creates massive seas, which kill every member of Odysseus’ crew, except him, who manages to survive and drifts to Calypso’s Island. And that is where the story begins.
Symbolism
Eumaeus
Eumaeus symbolizes loyalty. He speaks well of his former master Odysseus and longs for his return home. He doesn't tolerate the hostile behavior of his new masters and remains loyal to Odysseus. Eumaeus also invites Odysseus to stay for the night during "Book XIV" and gives him a cloak to keep him warm.
Cloak
The average reader would interpret the cloak as something to keep Odysseus warm, though the avid reader can interpret the cloak as a symbol. This cloak symbolizes Eumaeus' liking for the wanderer (Odysseus) and it shows his trust in him and friendship with him.
Food
Eumaeus inviting the wanderer into his cabin for pork and wine truly symbolizes his respect for those of less importance than him and those who he doesn't know.
Guard Dogs
In the very beginning of the book, when the guard dogs nearly attack Odysseus, this is symbolism. The fact that Odysseus hasn’t been home for over 20 years means the dogs don’t recognize him. Since the dog symbolizes intelligence, power, and loyalty in Greek custom, this suggests that many others will not recognize him. Also, when Telemachus arrives later, with the dogs at his side, this shows that Odysseus’ power has been handed down to his son.
Ithaca
Since Odysseus is finally in Ithaca, he is home. Ithaca symbolizes home.
Feast
Towards the end of book XIV, Eumaeus holds a feast for him and Odysseus. A feast can symbolize lack of submission to temptation. Odysseus, in book XIV, is just feasting with Eumaeus because he is supposed to be a starved vagabond, but in the other books, Odysseus has relinquished his hunger and pilfered food from his hosts. One time when Odysseus feasted on food with his crew without permission, was when he was on the island of Polyphemus, a Cyclops. Odysseus barged into Polyphemus’ cave and feasted on milk and cheese with his men. As you will find out when you read The Odyssey, the consequences are dreadful.
Connections
Master/Servant
In some cultures today, the relationships of master/servant are much like the relationship between Odysseus and Eumaeus. For example, in Great Britain, the king is served by servants. A difference from this modern day example to Odysseus’ culture is that the servants back in Odysseus’ culture probably had a closer relationship with the lord.
Lying
Odysseus lies and lies all he wants and never gets caught (he does get suspected). Today, I think people are quicker to judge, and someone who lies will quickly form a reputation. I don’t think people can get away with as much today as they could back then.
Harry Potter
The
Odyssey can be related to many of the current epics all over the world. The Harry Potter Series is an epic of mythology that has many connections to the
Odyssey. The Harry Potter Series is the most current, popular series; most literate people have heard of it. Most of the Harry Potter books are translated so that many other cultures are able to understand the text. When Odysseus ventures to Hades he meets his mother’s spirit. In The Harry Potter Series Harry ventures to the different worlds, that regular muggles can’t see. Another theme, relevant in the Harry Potter series, is the meaning of characters’ names in the Greek language. Hermione, one of Harry’s friends, is related to The Odyssey and Greek mythology because Hermione is the daughter of Helen, the wife of King Menelaos. A current event in life right now is that in a Greek version of
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Ron Wesley, one of Harry’s friends was translated to mean “pomegranate tree” in the Greek Language. A teacher from Bedford, U.K., said that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the longest text ever translated into the ancient Greek language.
America
The lifestyle in "Book XIV" of the
Odyssey can be related to portions of the culture in the United States of America very easily. Odysseus' family has people working for them in fields to raise livestock. The livestock could be used for food just the same as America obtains it's food through the killing of animals
Waiting
Also this whole book can relate to how the Jewish religion is currently waiting for their savior in that Eumaeus is waiting for his master.
Links & References
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This Section By:
Joey P., Brianna E., Justin D.
