STORY 0:00 – 1:18:30
Odysseus – his identity still a secret – spends a very full day as the guest of the King Alcinous and Queen Arete. Most of the day is spent in Odysseus doing his best to NOT reveal his identity. But songs sung by the bard Demodocus, and an ugly incident on the sporting field, both nearly blow Odysseus’s disguise. I pause our story to explore “Homer the storyteller’s” decision to cast the bard Demodocus in such a glowing light. Finally, I retell Demodocus’ “Aphrodite and Ares” story, and discuss Homer’s purpose in including the story in The Odyssey. The episode concludes with Odysseus’ “Big Reveal”, and with the Olympian Gods’ reward to the Phaeacians, for being such devout practitioners of xenia.
POST-STORY COMMENTARY: THE LOST STORY OF THE “ODYSSEUS vs. ACHILLES QUARREL” 1:18:30 – 1:39:19
Homer informs us that Demodocus’ first story of the day was: “a famous story, known throughout the world, of the bitter quarrel between Achilles and Odysseus”. But nowhere in Homer, or in any other source, is this story told, or even mentioned in passing. I devote this commentary to speculation on what an Odysseus/Achilles bitter quarrel would have been about. I contrast Achilles’ “romantic, but pig-headed, idealism”, with Odysseus’ “realpolitik, but cynical, situational pragmatism”. I revisit the “embassy to Achilles” story from Homer’s Iliad in support of my case.
RELATED IMAGES
I struggle to find details – title of work, name of artist, date – for some images. If you can help, please forward information to me. Thanks. Jeff
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- Demodocus entertains
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- Odysseus in the Discus Throwing Contest
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- Odysseus hides his tears while Demodocus sings of Troy
Hi Jeff – I’m heartily enjoying the Odyssey series! I chuckle every time you say “our boy Odysseus”. I just sent in a small donation in appreciation. Keep up the great work!
Hi Kathy: First of all: I am delighted that you are enjoying Odyssey: The Podcast. I know that you are already a veteran of Trojan War: The Podcast, so it pleases me to hear that you have chosen to dive into my sequel story. Next, thank you for your donation, or – more accurately – for you separate donations to BOTH of my podcasts. Donations MATTER: podcasters, unlike musicians or authors, do not get “automatic royalties” whenever an episode is downloaded or listened to. So, our only source of funding is either to include paid ads in our pods, or to humbly beg for donations. I somehow can’t get my head around including ads in two of world literature’s greatest stories, so I rely on donations like yours to keep my podcasts afloat and available.
On another note. I am pleased that my use of “our boy Odysseus” is “working” for you. To be honest, I put considerable thought into that phrase: the challenge for me as a storyteller was to find a way to remain sympathetic to Odysseus, even when his behavior does not merit sympathy. So, sometimes “our boy Odysseus” is said in praise; but equally often, it is said in exasperation or anger.
Have an awesome day
Jeff