answersLogoWhite

0


Want this question answered?

Be notified when an answer is posted

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What significant role might his longing for homeplay in Odysseus epic journey?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Ancient History

When did Odysseus' mother die?

Odysseus' mother Anticlea died after Odysseus left for the Trojan war, due to longing for the return of her son. It is not specifically specified if she died before or after the war ended.


Who is himeros?

Himeros is the Greek god of sexual desire, longing, and yearning, a son of Aphrodite, she is said to have been born pregnant with him and Eros.


What were the major themes emphasized by the Roman poets Horace and ovid?

Horace's themes were varied and were philosophical in nature, combining elements of Epicurean, stoic and Platonic philosophy. Ovid was a love elegist. He wrote erotic poems and about seduction and intrigue, separation and longing for reunion, and cures for love. He also wrote an epic poem about mythological figures.


What is circe's story in The Odyssey?

"Circe, the Enchantress"From: The OdysseyLow she sangIn her beguiling voice, while on her loomshe wove ambrosial fabric sheer and bright,by that craft known to the goddesses of heaven.No one would speak, until Polites - mostfaithful and likeable of my officers, said:"Dear friends, no need for stealth: here's a youngweaversinging a pretty song to set the aira-tingle on these lawns and paven courts.Goddess she is, or lady. Shall we greet her?"So reassured, they all cried out together,and she came swiftly to the shining doorsto call them in. All but Eurylochus -who feared a snare - the innocents went after her.On thrones she seated them, and lounging chairs,while she prepared a meal of cheese and barleyand amber honey mixed with Pramnian wine,adding her own vile pinch, to make them losedesire or thought o four dear fatherland.Scarce had they drunk when she flew after themwith her long stick and shut them in a pigsty -bodies, voices, heads, and bristles, allswinish now, though minds were still unchanged.So, squealing, in they went. And Circe tossed themacorns, mast, and cornel berries - fodderfor hogs who rut and slumber on the earth.Down to the shop Eurylochus came runningto cry alarm, foul magic doomed his men!But working without dry lips to speak a wordhe could not, being so shaken; blinding tearswelled in his eyes; foreboding filled his heart.When we were frantic questioning him, at lastwe heard the tale: our friends were gone. …Eurylochus tells Odysseus what has happened and begs the captain to sail away from Circe's land. Against Eurylochus' advice, Odysseus rushes to save his men from the enchantress. On the way , he meets Hermes, who gives him a special flower (or herb) - a molu - to protect him from Circe's power. Now she will not be able to turn Odysseus into a pig as she has the others. Still, Hermes warns, Odysseus must make the enchantress swear that she will play no "witches' tricks." Even more determined, Odysseus continues toward Circe's palace. Once he arrives, Circe welcomes him and leads him to a magnificent silver-studded chair.The lady Circemixed me a golden cup of honeyed wine,adding in her mischief her unholy drug.I drank, and the drink failed. But she came forwardaiming a stroke with her long stick and whispered:"Down in the sty and snore among the rest!"Without a word, I drew my sharpened swordand in one bound held it against her throat.She cried out, then slid under to take my kneescatching her breath to say, in her distress:"What champion, of what country, can you be?Where are your kinsmen and your city?Are you not sluggish with my wine? Ah, wonder!Never a mortal man that drank this cupbut when it passed his lips he had succumbed.Hale must your heart be and your tempered will.Odysseus then you are, O great contender,of whom the glittering god with golden wandspoke to me ever, and foretoldthe black swift ship would carry you from Troy.Put up your weapon in the sheath. We twoshall mingle and make love upon our bed.So mutual trust may come of play and love."To this I said:"Circe, am I a boy,that you should make me soft and doting now?Here in this house you turned my men to swine;now it is I myself you hold, enticinginto your chamber, to your dangerous bed,to take my manhood when you have me stripped.I mount no bed of love with you upon it.Or swear me first a great oath, if I do,you'll work no more enchantment to my harm."She swore at once, outright, as I demanded, and after she had sworn, and bound herself,I entered Circe's flawless bed of love. …Circe's maidens bathe Odysseus and offer him a tempting meal, yet his mind remains on his captive men.Circe regarded me, as there I satdisconsolate, and never touched a crust.Then she stood over me and chided me:"Why sit at table mute, Odysseus?Are you mistrustful of my bread and drink?Can it be treachery that you fear again,after the gods' great oath I swore for you?"I turned to her at once and said:"Circe, where is the captain who could bear to touchthis banquet, in my place? A decent manwould see his company before him first.Put heart in me to eat and drink - you may,by freeing my companions. I must see them."But Circe had already turned away.Her long staff in her hand, she left the halland opened up the sty. I saw here enter,driving those men turned swine to stand before me.She stroked them, each in turn, with some newchrism;and then, behold! their bristles fell away,the coarse pelt grown upon them by her drugmelted away, and they were men again,younger, more handsome, taller than before.Their eyes upon me, each one took my hands,and wild regret and longing pierced them through,so the room rang with sobs, and even Circepitied that transformation. Exquisitethe goddess looked as she stood near me, saying:"Son of Laertes and the gods of old,Odysseus master mariner and soldier,go to the sea beach and sea-breasting ship;drag it ashore, full length upon the land;stow gear and stores in rock-holes under cover;return; be quick; bring all your dear companions."Now, being a man, I could not help consenting.So I went down to the sea beach and the ship,where I found all my other men on board,weeping, in despair along the benches.Sometimes in farmyards when the cows returnwell fed from pasture to the barn, one seesthe pens give way before the calves in tumult,breaking through to cluster about their mothers.bumping together, bawling. Just that waymy crew poured round me when they saw mecome -their faces wet with tears as if they sawtheir homeland, and the crags of Ithaca,even the very town where they were born.And weeping still they all cried out in greeting:"Prince, what joy this is, your safe return!Now Ithaca seems here, and we in Ithaca!But tell us now, what death befell our friends?"And, speaking gently, I replied:"First we must get the ship high on the shingle,and stow our gear and stores in clefts of rockfor cover. Then follow me, to seeyour shipmates in the magic house of Circeeating and drinking, endlessly regaled."They turned back, as commanded, to this work;only one lagged, and tried to hold the others:Eurylochus it was, who blurted out:"Where now, poor remnants? Is it devil's workyou long for? Will you go to Circe's hall?Swine, wolves, and lions she will make us all,beasts of her courtyard, bound by her enchantment.Remember those the Cyclops held, remember shipmates who made that visit with Odysseus!The daring man! They died for his foolishness!"When I heard this I had a mind to draw the blade that swung against my side and chop him,bowling his head upon the ground - kinsmanor no kinsman, close to me though he was.But others came between, saying, to stop me,"Prince, we can leave him, if you say the word;let him stay here on guard. As for ourselves,show us the way to Circe's magic hall."So all turned inland, leaving shore and ship,and Eurylochus - he, too, came on behind,fearing the rough edge of my tongue. Meanwhileat Circe's hands the rest were gently bathed,anointed with sweet oil, and dressed afreshin tunics and new cloaks with fleecy linings.We found them all at supper when we came.But greeting their old friends once more, the crewthe room rang with sobs. Then, Circe, loveliestof all immortals, came to counsel me:"Son of Laertes and the gods of old,Odysseus, master mariner and soldier,enough of weeping fits. I know - I, too -what you endured upon the inhuman sea,what odds you met on land from hostile men.Remain with me, and share my meat and wine;restore behind your ribs those gallant hearts that served you in the old days, when you sailedform stony Ithaca. Now parched and spent,your cruel wandering is all you think of,never of joy, after so many blows."As we were men we could not help consenting.So day by day we lingered, feasting longon roasts and wine, until a year grew fat.But when the passing months and wheeling seasonsbrought the long summery days, the pause ofsummer,my shipmates one day summoned me and said;"Captain, shake off this trance, and think of home -if home indeed awaits us,if we shall ever seeYour own well timbered hall on Ithaca."They made me feel a pang, and I agreed.That day, and all day long, from dawn to sundown,we feasted on roast meat and ruddy wine,and after sunset when the dusk came onmy men slept in the shadowy hall, but Iwent through the dark to Circe's flawless bedand took the goddess' knees in supplication,urging, as she bent to hear:"O Circe,now you must keep your promise; it is time.Help me make sail for home. Day after daymy longing quickens, and my companygive me no peace, but wear my heart awaypleading when you are not at hand to hear."The loveliest of goddesses replied:"Son of Laertes and the gods of old,Odysseus, master mariner and soldier,you shall not stay here longer against your will;but home you may not gounless you take a strange way round and come to the cold homes of Death and pale Persephone.You shall hear prophecy from the rapt shadeof blind Tiresias of Thebes, forevercharged with reason even among the dead;to him alone, of all the flitting ghosts,Persephone has given a mind undarkened."At this I felt a weight like stone within me,and, moaning, pressed my length against the bed,with no desire to see the day light more. …


What is the gentle breeze from the west named after a Greek god?

Zephyrus is the Greek god of the West Wind, believed to live in a cave on Thrace. He is the son of Eos and Astraeus and the brother of Boreas, Eurus and Notus. Some consider him and Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, as the parents of Eros, the god of love, and of Pothos (Longing) who was an attendant of Aphrodite. The West Wind had fallen in love with a handsome youth named Hyacinthus, who also was a favorite of Apollo, the god of light. One day Apollo was teaching Hyacinthus how to throw the discus, when the insanely jealous Zephyrus caught it in mid-air and blew it at Hyacinthus, striking the young man on the head and killing him. From his blood sprang the hyacinth flower. Zephyrus also abducted the goddess Chloris (Flora in Roman) and gave her dominion over flowers. In Roman myth, he is Favonius, the protector of flowers and plants. With Podarge, one of the Harpies, Zephyrus fathered the famous horses Xanthus and Balius, who are the Trojan War hero Achilles' immortal horses. Hera endowed the horses with human speech. They served Poseidon first, and next Peleus, Achilles and Neoptolemus. The union of Zephyrus and Podarge produced also Arion, a horse given by Heracles (Hercules) to Adrastus. Arion saved the life of Adrastus during the war of the Seven Against Thebes.

Related questions

When does Odysseus expresses his desire to return home?

In Odysseus's journey, he always has a longing to return home to his son and beloved wife, penelope


What was Odysseus doing when Hermes arrived on the island or Calypso?

Odysseus was weeping on the shore of Calypso's island, feeling trapped and longing to return home. Hermes arrived to deliver Zeus's message that Odysseus must be allowed to leave the island and continue his journey back to Ithaca.


Whose land does Odysseus encounter after being blown off course for nine days?

Odysseus lands on the Island of the Lotus Eaters, where his men encounter the Lotus-eaters who offer them a fruit that makes them forget their longing for home. This delays their journey further as Odysseus has to drag his men back to the ships.


While Hermes is speaking with Calypso what is Odysseus doing?

During Hermes's conversation with Calypso, Odysseus is most likely waiting or exploring the island of Ogygia where Calypso resides. He may be reflecting on his journey home and longing to return to Ithaca.


When did Odysseus mother?

Odysseus' mother Anticlea died after Odysseus left for the Trojan war, due to longing for the return of her son. It is not specifically specified if she died before or after the war ended.


When did Odysseus' mother die?

Odysseus' mother Anticlea died after Odysseus left for the Trojan war, due to longing for the return of her son. It is not specifically specified if she died before or after the war ended.


Why does Odysseus refuse Calypso's offer of immorality?

Odysseus refuses Calypso's offer of immortality because his ultimate goal is to return home to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. He values his mortality and his connections to his loved ones over living forever. Odysseus understands that true fulfillment comes from his relationships and the experiences he shares with those he cares about.


Incidents when Odysseus demonstrates his human side?

When Odysseus reveals his vulnerability by crying upon hearing the song of the Sirens, he shows his human emotions. Additionally, his decision to reveal his identity to the Cyclops, risking his safety and that of his crew, demonstrates his sense of pride and ego which are very human traits. Lastly, Odysseus' longing for his home and family throughout his journey highlights his deep emotional connection to them, making him more human.


What is the metaphor for Odysseus encounter with Calypso?

The metaphor for Odysseus' encounter with Calypso is like being trapped in a beautiful but ultimately unfulfilling paradise. Calypso's island represents temptation and seduction, while Odysseus' longing for his homeland symbolizes the desire for true purpose and belonging. Their relationship is a metaphor for the struggle between temporary pleasure and enduring fulfillment.


Who is the speaker in this excerpt from Book 13 of Homers Odyssey and what inference can you make from the tone?

The speaker in Book 13 of Homer's Odyssey is Odysseus, talking to his Phaeacian hosts. The tone is one of longing and nostalgia as Odysseus recounts his longing for his homeland of Ithaca and his desire to return after many years of wandering.


What is the name of odysses mother and how did she die?

His mother's name is Anticlea, she died of grief in her longing for Odysseus while he was at war. :(


What human emotions doe Odysseus reveal in this passage?

In this passage, Odysseus reveals emotions of sadness, longing, determination, and hope. He reflects on his journey and yearns for his homeland, while also expressing his resolve to reunite with his family and return to Ithaca.