The joy I garnered from reading the history of the bow, the way Homer was able to weave something so valuable and treasured in a way that supports, even transcends: inner nature, claimed status, authentic mastery, and genuine excellence.
The lessons from these passages and the backstory itself is enough to give a reader pause.
Collective failure, expected yet, I was struck with the words of Eurymachus. Like he was in continuous search to delay until he could find a way to manipulate for the win at Penelope's hand. The non-leadership of words such as: "... riffraff courting a king's wife ... we'll hang our heads in shame." (360) How precise for Penelope to push back continuing to raise what she holds as a standard for individual character and the treatment of all.
Mostly I want to mull over this thought vocalized by Telemachus, "If you serve too many masters, you'll soon suffer." (361) I like the taste of these words in my mouth as they roll off of my tongue, the truth in the simple statement.
Excellent piece, Matthew. This scene was also beautifully portrayed in the film "The Return" starring Ralph Fiennes. They somehow captured the primal essence and philosophy you captured here.
It would never have been a sufficient condition for Odysseus to reclaim his place simply by establishing his identity. Had he returned as infirm as Laertes, the suitors would never have yielded. If he had returned as he was, the suitors, who had no adult memory of the man, would have resisted. But the man revealed was the legend, the victor of Troy. That was a sufficient condition.
"bristling arrows, shafts of pain."
The joy I garnered from reading the history of the bow, the way Homer was able to weave something so valuable and treasured in a way that supports, even transcends: inner nature, claimed status, authentic mastery, and genuine excellence.
The lessons from these passages and the backstory itself is enough to give a reader pause.
Collective failure, expected yet, I was struck with the words of Eurymachus. Like he was in continuous search to delay until he could find a way to manipulate for the win at Penelope's hand. The non-leadership of words such as: "... riffraff courting a king's wife ... we'll hang our heads in shame." (360) How precise for Penelope to push back continuing to raise what she holds as a standard for individual character and the treatment of all.
Mostly I want to mull over this thought vocalized by Telemachus, "If you serve too many masters, you'll soon suffer." (361) I like the taste of these words in my mouth as they roll off of my tongue, the truth in the simple statement.
I think those words of Telemachus hit home for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here Stacy.
Excellent piece, Matthew. This scene was also beautifully portrayed in the film "The Return" starring Ralph Fiennes. They somehow captured the primal essence and philosophy you captured here.
Great piece. I found myself getting very excited for the impending massacre lol.
It would never have been a sufficient condition for Odysseus to reclaim his place simply by establishing his identity. Had he returned as infirm as Laertes, the suitors would never have yielded. If he had returned as he was, the suitors, who had no adult memory of the man, would have resisted. But the man revealed was the legend, the victor of Troy. That was a sufficient condition.