Quotes for Role of Slaves
-“As when long-winged thrushes or doves get entangled in a snare.” (Book 22: simile about the questionable murder of the maids)
-“You may be sure, you bold creature, you shameless bitch.” (Book 19: Penelope rebuking Melantho for her affair with Eurymachus)
-“dirty pig…nauseating beggar and plate-licker” (Book 17: Melathius abuse toward Odysseus)
-Melanthius punishment for trying to save the Suitor by fetching weapons- “with a pitiless knife they sliced his nose and ears off.”
-“Like a fond father welcoming back his son after nine years abroad.” (Book 16, simile of when Eumaeus greets Telemachus- irony)
-Bronze Age Greece was a slave owning society- “All-seeing Zeus takes half the good out of a man on the day he becomes a slave.” (Book 17).
-Epithet: “faithful Eurycleia”, bears a torch for Telemachus in Book 1
-“I won’t spare you, though you’re my own nurse” (Book 19: Odysseus’ reaction to Eurycleia, brutality toward slaves), Eurycleia’s closeness to the oikos is demonstrated when she says “My child… what a thing to say!”
Quotes for Power of Fate
-‘What a lamentable thing it is that men should the gods and regard us as the source of their troubles, when it is their own transgressions which bring them suffering that was not their destiny.’ (Book 1- Zeus)
-‘You will find trouble too in your house… But when you have killed the suitors in your palace’ (Book 11- Teiresias’ prophecy)
-‘Not that it saved him from his fate.’ (Amphinomus’ death Book 22, even though he is said to be a “man of principle” (Book 16) and not want Telemachus dead).
‘This is not a dream but a happy reality which you will see fulfilled. The geese were your suitors and that eagle was your husband…ready to inflict a gruesome fate.’ (Book 19- Penelope’s dream)
‘These men were victims to the will of the gods.” (Book 22)
‘He is destined to see…his native land once more.’-(Hermes to Calypso in Book 5)
Quotes for Role of Women
-“Making decisions are men’s concern.” (Book 1- Telemachus)
-“she wept for Odysseus” (Book 1)
-“When she drew near to the suitors the lady drew a fold of her shining veil across her cheeks.” (Book 21, Penelope’s modesty)
-“she settles even men’s disputes.” (Book 7, Arete)
-“Never be too trustful of your wife.” (Book 11, Agammenon in the Underworld)
-Sensory imagery to describe Ogygia and Calypso’ beauty
-Penelope’s metis reflects upon Odysseus “I have to devise tricks to deceive them.”
Quotes for Divine Intervention
Quotes for Xenia
Cyclopses, Laestrygonians, Suitors, Circe, Calypso
Quotes for Justice and Revenge
Quotes for Relationship between Men
and Women
Quotes for Family
Quotes for Relationship between Immortals and Mortals
Quotes for Heroism
Nostos, kleos
