I do not have much to say about Book 14, it is not my favorite. I found myself bothered by the elaborate creation of a story. Yes, I understand its purpose and intention as a Homer storytelling technique, it just doesn't sit well with me. But maybe that is one of the things that makes The Odyssey such a timeless classic because it fits into the present, as it did in its creation.
Herein is the blurred line between truth and fiction - crafting convincing lies, you mention. How the storytelling theme (also mentioned in your analysis) of truth and leadership in crisis. We know Odysseus will fess his falseness, his begger status, his covert efforts to gain knowledge, and root out the fiction. That is a consolation, the story within the story, but I am again reminded how easy it is to tell a story about ourselves and believe its truth.
What I really appreciate more as The Odyssey continues is zenia as a social function. I believe "obligation" is a terse word as is "'expectation." Instead, (I might be feeling a bit touchy-feely today), zenia is an act of kindness. If I refer to your most recent posting about kindness as a reference. To be kind is simply an opportunity to extend roots. It is a moment of pause, the foundation for relationship building. In the current day it might be offering a cup of coffee or tea when someone unexpectedly shows up at the door. Sharing a bowl of soup from the crock pot or keeping muffins and cookies in the freezer that can be quickly thawed. Maybe it is something as simple as a glass of water.
Maybe kindness is again sitting around the table. I mean, there is a lot of feasting in The Odyssey so it can't be a terrible strategy for community building.
Some of the chapters are not as interesting as other for sure. I think that my favorite part of Homer's works has been this idea of zenia. In some ways it ties in with my thoughts on kindness I wrote about in my regular weekly essay. There are many cultures that still practice a type of zenia but for the most part it has disappeared from Western cultures.
Unlike Stacy, this is actually one of my favorite books so far. I find the loyalty, dignity and kindness of Eumaeus endearing and heartwarming. Perhaps I’m at that overly-sentimental age.
Matthew’s comments on dramatic irony are thought-provoking. Irony is pervasive throughout western literature for both dramatic and comedic purposes. For any of you who are familiar with Asian or Eastern literature, is this also the case for literature originating in those cultures?
I see a clear line from Eumaeus’ treatment of the stranger to Jesus’ treatment of the stranger. Too bad we the line has become so blurred in modern times.
I do not have much to say about Book 14, it is not my favorite. I found myself bothered by the elaborate creation of a story. Yes, I understand its purpose and intention as a Homer storytelling technique, it just doesn't sit well with me. But maybe that is one of the things that makes The Odyssey such a timeless classic because it fits into the present, as it did in its creation.
Herein is the blurred line between truth and fiction - crafting convincing lies, you mention. How the storytelling theme (also mentioned in your analysis) of truth and leadership in crisis. We know Odysseus will fess his falseness, his begger status, his covert efforts to gain knowledge, and root out the fiction. That is a consolation, the story within the story, but I am again reminded how easy it is to tell a story about ourselves and believe its truth.
What I really appreciate more as The Odyssey continues is zenia as a social function. I believe "obligation" is a terse word as is "'expectation." Instead, (I might be feeling a bit touchy-feely today), zenia is an act of kindness. If I refer to your most recent posting about kindness as a reference. To be kind is simply an opportunity to extend roots. It is a moment of pause, the foundation for relationship building. In the current day it might be offering a cup of coffee or tea when someone unexpectedly shows up at the door. Sharing a bowl of soup from the crock pot or keeping muffins and cookies in the freezer that can be quickly thawed. Maybe it is something as simple as a glass of water.
Maybe kindness is again sitting around the table. I mean, there is a lot of feasting in The Odyssey so it can't be a terrible strategy for community building.
I feel the same about this book. The story in a story seemed overly long for its purpose and too short to actually feel interesting. It reminded
me of the endless lists in the Iliad. I drifted a bit when I was reading it
Drifted is a good word.
Some of the chapters are not as interesting as other for sure. I think that my favorite part of Homer's works has been this idea of zenia. In some ways it ties in with my thoughts on kindness I wrote about in my regular weekly essay. There are many cultures that still practice a type of zenia but for the most part it has disappeared from Western cultures.
We need to bring zenia back into daily practice.
I loved how you brought Eumaeus’s quiet dignity to the forefront so well. Another ace piece.
Thanks Jon. I appreciate your steadfast commitment to this project.
Unlike Stacy, this is actually one of my favorite books so far. I find the loyalty, dignity and kindness of Eumaeus endearing and heartwarming. Perhaps I’m at that overly-sentimental age.
Matthew’s comments on dramatic irony are thought-provoking. Irony is pervasive throughout western literature for both dramatic and comedic purposes. For any of you who are familiar with Asian or Eastern literature, is this also the case for literature originating in those cultures?
I see a clear line from Eumaeus’ treatment of the stranger to Jesus’ treatment of the stranger. Too bad we the line has become so blurred in modern times.
Thanks Dan. Appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts. After the brutality of The Iliad, I think a little sentimentality is ok with me.
Excellent. When I was at University as a Classics major I did work on why Odysseus says in his pseudo-identity that he specifically
comes from Crete and the name he gives himself Aithon. Might dig this up and do a Substack on it.
Andrew, I would love to read that if you decide to share it.
Hi Matthew I just did a Substack on and name checked your excellent exploration of the Odyssey look forward to thoughts on. Thanks Andy
https://open.substack.com/pub/drandrewhiggins/p/a42?r=2chv14&utm_medium=ios