Book 13 - Odysseus lands in Ithaca Flashcards
Book 13
How does Odysseus’ wanderings come to a close for him to land in Ithaca, & achieve his physical nostos
- In Scheria, Alcinous loads his gifts on board the ship that will carry Odysseus to Ithaca
- the Phaecians command the ship & set sail as soon as the sun goes down
Book 13
What is significant about how Odysseus finally arrives at Ithaca
- He remains in a death like sleep, like a moment of transition:
- possibly from physical nostos being restored to mental nostos being the most salient
- “conterfeit of death”
Book 13
As the POV changes, what is established about Poseidon
- Poseidon has eternity to take revenge in the future, with a dependency on emotions, against the Phaecians for helping Odysseus, as he feels disrespected
Book 13
As the POV changes, what is established about Zeus
- Zeus is the moral arbiter of this text,
- as he permits Poseidon to take revenge
Book 13
What 3 key things is suggested abbout the Gods from Zeus & Poseidon’s interaction
- the moral framework of the text, may be unjust fro mortals perspective, as xenia does not earn gratification from the Gods
- Gods are capricious & vengeful
- prophecy cannot be denied
Book 13
What prophecy is fulfilled when the Phaecian ship lands in Ithaca
- the prophecy mentioned at the end of Book 8 is fulfilled (from Poseidon being permitted to take revenge by Zeus):
- the ship suddenly turns to stone and sinks to the bottom of the sea
- The onlookers ashore immediately recognize the consummation of the prophecy and resolve to abandon their custom of helping wayward travelers
Book 13
Why can Odysseus not recognise Ithaca once there
Athena has shrouded it in mist to conceal its true form while she plans his next move.
Book 13
How does Odysseus react to the mist at first
At first, he curses the Phaeacians, whom he thinks have duped him and left him in some unknown land
Book 13
How does Athene reassure him that he is in Ithaca
But Athena, disguised as a shepherd, meets him and tells him that he is indeed in Ithaca
Book 13
How does Odysseus come to understand Athene’s identity and what does this grant him
With characteristic cunning, Odysseus acts to conceal his identity from her until she reveals hers.
Book 13
How does Athene instruct Odysseus on what to do next
- Delighted by Odysseus’s tricks, Athena announces that it Odysseus must:
- use his wits to punish the suitors,
- to hide out in the hut of his swineherd, Eumaeus
Book 13
What does Athene tell Odysseus about Telemachus
- Telemachus has gone in search of news of him
- and so she gives him the appearance of an old vagabond so that no one will recognize him
Book 13
What is significant about Athene and Odysseus’ interaction
- They have similiar admirable attributes, such as self-awareness
- the likelyness of mortals & immortals is emphasised through synomynous qualities, and admiration, which pervades the moral framework & hierachy Zeus established, resulting in apprent flirtation
