midterm greek studies
mentor
A friend of Odysseus, athena took the disguise of mentor Wise and trusted counselor or teacher Because of Mentor's relationship with Telemachus, and the disguised Athena's encouragement and practical plans for dealing with personal dillmas, it means someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague My big sister is a mentor for me
Nestor
A king of pylos who serves his old age as a counselor to the Greeks at Troy A wise old man, sage one who is a patriarch or leader in a field, Homecoming He was a leader in the Trojan War When the young soldiers are in moments of doubt, they always look to their nestor
11.442-462 Declare not to her all the thoughts of thy heart, but tell her somewhat, and let somewhat also be hidden. Yet not upon thee, Odysseus, shall death come from thy wife, for very prudent and of an understanding heart is the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope. Verily we left her a bride newly wed, when we went to the war, and a boy was at her breast, a babe, who now, I ween, sits in the ranks of men, happy in that his dear father will behold him when he comes, and he will greet his father as is meet. But my wife did not let me sate my eyes even with sight of my own son. Nay, ere that she slew even me, her husband. And another thing will I tell thee, and do thou lay it to heart: in secret and not openly do thou bring thy ship to the shore of thy dear native land; for no longer is there faith in women. But, come, tell me this, and declare it truly, whether haply ye hear of my son as yet alive in Orchomenus it may be, or in sandy Pylos, or yet with Menelaus in wide Sparta; for not yet has goodly Orestes perished on the earth.' "So he spoke, and I made answer and said:`Son of Atreus, wherefore dost thou question me of this? I know not at all whether he be alive or dead, and it is an ill thing to speak words vain as wind.'
Agamemnon. Odysseus; Hades, land of Cimmerians, he is speaking to the ghost of Agamemnon who told him how he was murdered by Aegisthus with support of his wife Clytemnestra, he tells Odysseus to treat his wife well DOLOS- he is tricked into thinking his wife wanted to eat supper with him ANGNORISIS- he finds out who his wife really is through him killing her NOSTOS- he never got to come home and meet his son, Odysseus has the ability to come home
7.314-336 Better is due measure in all things. I would, O father Zeus, and Athena and Apollo, that thou, so goodly a man, and like-minded with me, wouldst have my daughter to wife, and be called my son, and abide here; a house and possessions would I give thee, if thou shouldst choose to remain, but against thy will shall no one of the Phaeacians keep thee; let not that be the will of father Zeus."But as for thy sending, that thou mayest know it surely, I appoint a time thereto, even the morrow. Then shalt thou lie down, overcome by sleep, and they shall row thee over the calm sea until thou comest to thy country and thy house, or to whatsoever place thou wilt, aye though it be even far beyond Euboea, which those of our people who saw it, when they carried fair-haired Rhadamanthus to visit Tityus, the son of Gaea, say is the furthest of lands. Thither they went, and without toil accomplished their journey, and on the selfsame day came back home. So shalt thou, too, know for thyself how far my ships are the best, and my youths at tossing the brine with the oar-blade."So said he, and the much-enduring goodly Odysseus was glad; and he spoke in prayer, and said: "Father Zeus, grant that Alcinous may bring to pass all that he has said. So shall his fame be unquenchable over the earth, the giver of grain, and I shall reach my native land."Thus they spoke to one another, and white-armed Arete bade her maidens place a bedstead under cover of the portico, and to lay on it fair blankets of purple, and to spread there over coverlets, and on these to put fleecy cloaks for clothing. So they went forth from the hall with torches in their hands.
Alicious the king, Odysseus; Odysseus is at Nausicca's parent's house. They are sharing a nice meal XENIA- gave him a meal, shelter DOLOS- earlier in the passage odysseus carefully says he was too embarrassed to come to the palace with slaves so he came alone, which the king really respects enough to tell him he can marry his daughter, Odysseus is a master of words and trickery KLEOS- he cares about what the king and queen think of him, that's why he came alone
24. 122-192 Then the spirit of Amphimedon answered him, and said: "Most glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, I remember all these things, O thou fostered of Zeus, even as thou dost tell them; and on my part I will frankly tell thee all the truth, how for us an evil end of death was wrought. We wooed the wife of Odysseus, that had long been gone, and she neither refused the hateful marriage, nor would she ever make an end, devising for us death and black fate. Nay, she contrived in her heart this guileful thing also: she set up in her halls a great web, and fell to weaving—fine of thread was the web and very wide; and straightway she spoke among us: `Young men, my wooers, since goodly Odysseus is dead, be patient, though eager for my marriage, until I finish this robe—I would not that my spinning should come to naught—a shroud for the lord Laertes against the time when the fell fate of grievous death shall strike him down; lest any of the Achaean women in the land should be wroth at me, if he were to lie without a shroud, who had won great possessions.' "So she spoke, and our proud hearts consented. Then day by day she would weave at the great web, but by night would unravel it, when she had let place torches by her. Thus for three years she by her craft kept the Achaeans from knowing, and beguiled them; but when the fourth year came, as the seasons rolled on, as the months waned and many days were brought in their course, even then one of her women who knew all, told us, and we caught her unravelling the splendid web. So she finished it against her will perforce."Now when she had shewn us the robe, after weaving the great web and washing it, and it shone like the sun or the moon, then it was that some cruel god brought Odysseus from somewhere to the border of the land, where the swineherd dwelt. Thither too came the dear son of divine Odysseus on his return from sandy Pylos in his black ship, and these two, when they had planned an evil death for the wooers, came to the famous city, Odysseus verily later, but Telemachus led the way before him. Now the swineherd brought his master, clad in mean raiment, in the likeness of a woeful and aged beggar, leaning on a staff, and miserable was the raiment that he wore about his body; and not one of us could know that it was he, when he appeared so suddenly, no, not even those that were older men, but we assailed him with evil words and with missiles. Howbeit he with steadfast heart endured for a time to be pelted and taunted in his own halls; but when at last the will of Zeus, who bears the aegis, roused him, with the help of Telemachus he took all the beautiful arms and laid them away in the store-room and made fast the bolts. Then in his great cunning he bade his wife set before the wooers his bow and the grey iron to be a contest for us ill-fated men and the beginning of death. "And no man of us was able to stretch the string of the mighty bow; nay, we fell far short of that strength. But when the great bow came to the hands of Odysseus, then we all cried out aloud not to give him the bow, how much soever he might speak; but Telemachus alone urged him on, and bade him take it. Then he took the bow in his hand, the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus, and with ease did he string it and send an arrow through the iron. Then he went and stood on the threshold, and poured out the swift arrows, glaring about him terribly, and smote king Antinous. And thereafter upon the others he with sure aim let fly his shafts, fraught with groanings, and the men fell thick and fast. Then was it known that some god was their helper; for straightway rushing on through the halls in their fury they slew men left and right, and therefrom rose hideous groaning, as heads were smitten, and all the floor swam with blood. Thus we perished, Agamemnon, and even now our bodies still lie uncared-for in the halls of Odysseus; for our friends in each man's home know naught as yet--our friends who might wash the black blood from our wounds and lay our bodies out with wailing; for that is the due of the dead." Then the spirit of the son of Atreus answered him: "Happy son of Laertes, Odysseus of many devices, of a truth full of all excellence was the wife thou didst win, so good of understanding was peerless Penelope
Amphimedon, ghost of Agamemnon; in Hades DOLOS-Penelope's shroud "her words convinced us" AGNORISIS- they recognize him when he can shoot a bow, "he seemed to be a poor old homeless man, none of us could recognize him" KLEOS- Penelope remembered her husband for so many years unlike Agamemnon's wife who killed him , her fame will live forever
5.191-224 For I too have a mind that is righteous, and the heart in this breast of mine is not of iron, but hath compassion." So saying, the beautiful goddess led the way quickly, and he followed in the footsteps of the goddess. And they came to the hollow cave, the goddess and the man, and he sat down upon the chair from which Hermes had arisen, and the nymph set before him all manner of food to eat and drink, of such sort as mortal men eat. But she herself sat over against divine Odysseus, and before her the handmaids set ambrosia and nectar. So they put forth their hands to the good cheer lying ready before them. But when they had their fill of food and drink, Calypso, the beautiful goddess, was the first to speak, and said: "Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, would'st thou then fare now forthwith home to thy dear native land! Yet, even so fare thee well. Howbeit if in thy heart thou knewest all the measure of woe it is thy fate to fulfil before thou comest to thy native land thou wouldest abide here and keep this house with me, and wouldest be immortal, for all thy desire to see thy wife for whom thou longest day by day. Surely not inferior to her do I declare myself to be either in form or stature, for in no wise is it seemly that mortal women should vie with immortals in form or comeliness." Then Odysseus of many wiles answered her, and said: "Mighty goddess, be not wroth with me for this. I know full well of myself that wise Penelope is meaner to look upon than thou in comeliness and in stature, for she is a mortal, while thou art immortal and ageless. But even so I wish and long day by day to reach my home, and to see the day of my return. And if again some god shall smite me on the wine-dark sea, I will endure it, having in my breast a heart that endures affliction. For ere this I have suffered much and toiled much amid the waves and in war; let this also be added unto that."
Calypso, Odysseus, Hermes tells Calypso to go, Odysseus leaves and constructs a raft NOSTOS- even though he knows Hermes is more attractive than Penelope he still wants to go home, not for happiness, but stability XENIA- slave girls brought nector and ambrosia, she gave him food and drink to prove they should be trusted KLEOS- going back home means regaining Odysseus' kleos
10.321-345 "So she spoke, but I, drawing my sharp sword from beside my thigh, rushed upon Circe, as though I would slay her. But she, with a loud cry, ran beneath, and clasped my knees, and with wailing she spoke to me winged words: `Who art thou among men, and from whence? Where is thy city, and where thy parents? Amazement holds me that thou hast drunk this charm and wast in no wise bewitched. For no man else soever hath withstood this charm, when once he has drunk it, and it has passed the barrier of his teeth. Nay, but the mind in thy breast is one not to be beguiled. Surely thou art Odysseus, the man of ready device, who Argeiphontes of the golden wand ever said to me would come hither on his way home from Troy with his swift, black ship. Nay, come, put up thy sword in its sheath, and let us two then go up into my bed, that couched together in love we may put trust in each other.' "So she spoke, but I answered her, and said: `Circe, how canst thou bid me be gentle to thee, who hast turned my comrades into swine in thy halls, and now keepest me here, and with guileful purpose biddest me go to thy chamber, and go up into thy bed, that when thou hast me stripped thou mayest render me a weakling and unmanned? Nay, verily, it is not I that shall be fain to go up into thy bed, unless thou, goddess, wilt consent to swear a mighty oath that thou wilt not plot against me any fresh mischief to my hurt.' "So I spoke, and she straightway swore the oath to do me no harm, as I bade her.
Circe, Odysseus; After Circe turned half of Odysseus' men to pigs, he went to speak to her, she gave him a potion and it didn't work on him. After that Circe realized that he was Odysseus, who Hermes warned Circe about. They made love. ANGNORISIS- Circe recognizes Odysseus when he isn't affected by the potion DOLOS- "you are planning to play tricks on me telling me to go to bed with you"
chaos
Empty, unfathomable space at the beginning of time Confusion or disorder Chaos was a primal feature of the universe, a realm of mass and energy from which is powerful came from The concert was complete chaos
19.362-384 "Ah, woe is me, child, because of thee, for that I can do naught. Surely Zeus hated thee above all men, though thou hadst a god-fearing heart. For never yet did any mortal burn to Zeus, who hurls the thunderbolt, so many fat thigh-pieces or so many choice hecatombs as thou gavest him, with prayers that thou mightest reach a sleek old age and rear thy glorious son. But lo, now, from thee alone has he wholly cut off the day of thy returning. Even thus, I ween, did women mock at him too, in a strange and distant land, when he came to some man's glorious house, as these shameless creatures here all mock at thee. It is to shun insult now from them and their many taunts that thou dost not suffer them to wash thy feet, but me, who am nothing loath, has the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, bidden to wash thee. Therefore will I wash thy feet, both for Penelope's own sake and for thine, for the heart within me is stirred with sorrow. But come now, hearken to the word that I shall speak. Many sore-tried strangers have come hither, but I declare that never yet have I seen any man so like another as thou in form, and in voice, and in feet art like Odysseus." Then Odysseus of many wiles answered her, and said: "Old dame, so say all men whose eyes have beheld us two, that we are very like each other, even as thou thyself dost note and say."
Eurycleia, Odysseus; Odysseus has just told Penelope a false story about about who he is to Penelope, Eurycleia, the slave, is washing his feet and starts weeping. She recognizes him from his scar DOLOS- Odysseus tries to trick everyone with his false identity ANGNORISIS- she recognizes him from his scar "you look just like Odysseus" , he responds with "many people say so"
Ambrosia / Ambrosial
Food or drink of the Greek gods, longevity or immorality, nectar Something especially delicious in taste or smell Both are delicious Like ambrosia from the gods, I suddenly realized that Nicotine is the most amazing legal substance of the twentieth century. Her jam was ambrosial
Nike
Goddess of victory in war and peace, stands guard at Zeus' throne Nike swoosh, victory Nike swoosh represents the wings of the goddess Nike is ready to launch a new line of tennis shoes
stygian
Hades, Styx Dark, gloomy Hell is dark . It was not the sort of night we know on earth, but a Stygian blackness.
chimera
In the Illad, a grotesque animal jumble Horrible or unreal creature of the imagination Scary creatures The Chimera was a fire-breathing monster, with the head of a lion, the tail of a dragon, and the body of a goat.
4.625-657 But the wooers in front of the palace of Odysseus were making merry, throwing the discus and the javelin in a levelled place, as their wont was, in insolence of heart; and Antinous and godlike Eurymachus were sitting there, the leaders of the wooers, who in valiance were far the best of all. To them Noemon, son of Phronius, drew near, and he questioned Antinous, and spoke, and said: "Antinous, know we at all in our hearts, or know we not, when Telemachus will return from sandy Pylos? He is gone, taking a ship of mine, and I have need of her to cross over to spacious Elis, where I have twelve brood mares, and at the teat sturdy mules as yet unbroken. Of these I would fain drive one off and break him in." So he spoke, and they marvelled at heart, for they did not deem that Telemachus had gone to Neleian Pylos, but that he was somewhere there on his lands, among the flocks or with the swineherd. Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke to him, saying: "Tell me the truth; when did he go, and what youths went with him? Were they chosen youths of Ithaca, or hirelings and slaves of his own? Able would he be to accomplish even that. And tell me this truly, that I may know full well. Was it perforce and against thy will that he took from thee the black ship? or didst thou give it him freely of thine own will, because he besought thee?" Then Noemon, son of Phronius, answered him: "I myself freely gave it him. What else could any man do, when a man like him, his heart laden with care, makes entreaty? Hard it were to deny the gift. The youths that are the noblest in the land after ourselves, even these have gone with him; and among them I noted one going on board as their leader, Mentor, or a god, who was in all things like unto Mentor. But at this I marvel. I saw goodly Mentor here yesterday at early dawn; but at that time he embarked for Pylos." So saying he departed to his father's house, but of those two the proud hearts were angered.
Noemon, Suitors- Antinous and Eurymachus, at Odysseus house, learn of Telemachusl voyage and are preparing to ambush him upon return, Medon the herald overhears ANGNORISIS-Noemon said, "perhaps not Mentor but a god who looked like him" , the reader knows who Mentor really is, Noemon even recognized him NOSTOS- they are waiting for Telemachus' return to ambush him
apple of discord
Object used by Eris to cause discord among the gods, awarded to paris, caused events that led to the trojan war, "for the fairest" Conflict, debate, disagreement, dispute, grounds for war, cause of quarrel, subject of envy Apple of discord led to the trojan war That stupid prom dress has been their apple of discord—they've been fighting over who gets to wear it for days now!
9.10-37 But thy heart is turned to ask of my grievous woes, that I may weep and groan the more. What, then, shall I tell thee first, what last? for woes full many have the heavenly gods given me. First now will I tell my name, that ye, too, may know it, and that I hereafter, when I have escaped from the pitiless day of doom, may be your host, though I dwell in a home that is afar. "I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, who am known among men for all manner of wiles, and my fame reaches unto heaven. But I dwell in clear-seen Ithaca, wherein is a mountain, Neriton, covered with waving forests, conspicuous from afar; and round it lie many isles hard by one another, Dulichium, and Same, and wooded Zacynthus. Ithaca itself lies close in to the mainland the furthest toward the gloom, but the others lie apart toward the Dawn and the sun—a rugged isle, but a good nurse of young men; and for myself no other thing can I see sweeter than one's own land. Of a truth Calypso, the beautiful goddess, sought to keep me by her in her hollow caves, yearning that I should be her husband; and in like manner Circe would fain have held me back in her halls, the guileful lady of Aeaea, yearning that I should be her husband; but they could never persuade the heart within my breast. So true is it that naught is sweeter than a man's own land and his parents, even though it be in a rich house that he dwells afar in a foreign land away from his parents. "But come, let me tell thee also of my woeful home-coming, which Zeus laid upon me as I came from Troy.
Odysseus, Alcinous the kind; Odysseus begins to tell his story, they are at a banquet. Odysseus introduces himself and gives a brief summary KLEOS- "My fame extends to heaven, but I live in Ithaca" -here Odysseus is explaining his fame (kleos) while also "humbling" himself that he lives in Ithaca, he denied two beautiful attractive women on his journey and still wants to go home to a place good for raising family XENIA- bread, meat, wine, "you can be my guest in my distant home one day" DOLOS-"known for my many clever tricks and lies'
24. 315-343 So he spoke, and a dark cloud of grief enwrapped Laertes, and with both his hands he took the dark dust and strewed it over his grey head with ceaseless groaning. Then the heart of Odysseus was stirred, and up through his nostrils shot a keen pang, as he beheld his dear father. And he sprang toward him, and clasped him in his arms, and kissed him, saying: "Lo, father, I here before thee, my very self, am that man of whom thou dost ask; I am come in the twentieth year to my native land. But cease from grief and tearful lamenting, for I will tell thee all, though great is the need of haste. The wooers have I slain in our halls, and have taken vengeance on their grievous insolence and their evil deeds. "Then Laertes answered him again, and said: "If it is indeed as Odysseus, my son, that thou art come hither, tell me now some clear sign, that I maybe sure." And Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said: "This scar first do thou mark with thine eyes, the scar of the wound which a boar dealt me with his white tusk on Parnassus, when I had gone thither. It was thou that didst send me forth, thou and my honored mother, to Autolycus, my mother's father, that I might get the gifts which, when he came hither, he promised and agreed to give me. And come, I will tell thee also the trees in the well-ordered garden which once thou gavest me, and I, who was but a child, was following thee through the garden, and asking thee for this and that.
Odysseus, Larates; Countryside, Odysseus lies to his father about who he is and then reveals himself in ways that his father would only know AGNORISIS- recognized the signs (story of the tree) Odysseus had given as clear proof DOLOS- tricked his father for no reason
22.34-41 Then with an angry glance from beneath his brows Odysseus of many wiles answered them: "Ye dogs, ye thought that I should never more come home from the land of the Trojans, seeing that ye wasted my house, and lay with the maidservants by force, and while yet I lived covertly wooed my wife, having no fear of the gods, who hold broad heaven, nor of the indignation of men, that is to be hereafter. Now over you one and all have the cords of destruction been made fast."
Odysseus, the suitors; Odysseus just shot and killed Antinous, the suitors are not sure what's about to happen and Odysseus screams in rage. After he proclaims this they are very fearful AGNORISIS- after hearing Odysseus it is revealed that shooting Antinous was not a mistake KLEOS- Odysseus' kleos is questionable here. He is about to shoot the most eligible, respected bachelors in Ithaca and doesn't care about his reputation?
protean
Proteus- Prophetic old man of the sea, subject to the sea god Poseidon, knew all things past present and future, first Readily assuming different forms or characters, versatile, ability to continually change Constantly changing the nature of the sea The story of Proteus itself is Protean, and must be grasped in its essence through all its appearances. He loved to show off his Protean talent
tantalize
Refers to Tantalus, son of zeus and pluto. Mortal and favorite son. Invited to mount Olympus. Said to serve his own son, Pelops, to the gods at dinner. Got punished by having unlucky descendants and got sent to Tartarus To torment with the sight of something desired but out of reach, raise someones expectations and continuously disspaoint them Tantalus tantalized others Therefore we call it to tantalize a person to offer him a thing he longs for, and then to draw it away from him.
stentorian
Stentor was a herald whose cry was as loud as fifty men A very loud and powerful sound All means loud voice His stentorian voice gradually draws the assembly closer to the front
1.156-177 "Telemachus leaned in close to Athena so they would not hear and said "dear guest- excuse my saying this- these men are only interested in music, a life of ease. They make no contribution. This food belongs to someone else, a man whose white bones may be laying in the rain or sunk beneath the waves. If they saw him return to Ithaca they would all pray for faster feet, instead of wealth and gold and fancy clothes. In fact, he must have died. We have no hope. He will not come back home. If someone says so, we do not believe it. But come now, tell me this and tell the truth. who are you? From what city and what parents? what kind of ship did you arrive here on? What sailors brought you here, and by what route? You surely did not travel here on foot! Here is the thing I really want to know: have you been here before? Are you a friend who visited my father? Many men came to his house. He traveled many places."
Telemachus, Athena (Mentes), Ithaca, assures him his father is alive: NOSTOS- "In fact he must have died, we have no home, he will not come home" Athena assures him of his father's homecoming XENIA - welcomed Mentes into their home and immediately had a meal with her not even knowing who she is, slaves brought a bounty of food and drink for the guest ANGNORISIS- Who are you? Athena says she is Mentes, pretended to travel by ship. Is ironic because she is in disguise.
Cassandra
The Trojan priestess of Apollo who was cursed with the ability to predict the future but no one believed her A person who prophesies doom or disaster References the way people ignored Cassandra despite her prophesies being correct 1. Predicting the impending burst of the dot com bubble, warren buffet proved himself to be Walstreet's Cassandra
demon
Theos- oersonality of the god, demon- his activity Daimon- supernatural power Evil spirit Supernatural spirits During the exorcism, the demon was released from his body.
Ganymede
Zeus's only male (mortal) lover , divine hero. Most beautiful of the morals. Zeus' only homosexual lover Name of Jupiter's largest moon ??? Scientists reported evidence of an ocean on the Jovian moon of Ganymede
Kleos
fame, glory What people hear about you Odysseus earned his Kleos when he went back to Penelope and didn't give in to Calypso
Nostos
homecoming Is only possible if a warrior's home is still there when he returns, unchangeable from when he left, Odysseus' home is not as much happiness but stability
Xenia
hospitality Zeus is the God of hospitality
Angnororisis
recognition Who someone really is The startling discovery that produced a change from ignorance to knowledge
Dolos
trickery, cleverness, deceit Odysseus could not survive without it