Book 14

As has been your pattern of late, once you settled down you had a good conversation that included some good close reading. You bounced around Book 14 quite a bit, but I believe you understand the essentials Odysseus’ reunion with his swineherd. Eumaeus pines for Odysseus, loyally serves his master’s estate, and worries bout Telemachus. He even does his best to husband Odysseus’ livestock against the conspicuous consumption of the suitors. Your conversation also sustained a few more length inquiries.

You promoted some interesting theories as to why Homer directly addresses the swineherd lines like, “And you replied, Eumaeus, loyal swineherd.” You suggested that addition of such direct address gives the impression that Odysseus tells the story as he reminisces with Eumaeus. You suggested that lines foreshadow that Eumaeus will receive some great reward from Odysseus because Odysseus seems to address him as an equal. You also suggested that Homer intends for the reader to identify with Eumaeus and his loyalty to Odysseus.

You best close reading came with your examination of the first line of Book 14 and with your discussion of Eumaeus’ concern for Telemachus. Homer begins the book, “So up from this haven now Odysseus climbed a rugged path” (14.1). You focused initially on the ruggedness of the path, arguing that it suggested that Odysseus faces a difficulty journey. As paths usually provide passage between places, you offered the hope that Odysseus would find a haven on the other side of his journey. You also noted briefly that a haven is a protected place. As long as Odysseus stayed in the haven he was protected, but now on his path to a new haven, faces danger and difficulty.

Eumaeus’ news that “The gods reared Telemachus like a fine young tree” evoked some interesting thoughts (14.202). First of all, that the gods reared Telemachus underscores that Odysseus did not. You found that Eumaeus implied as much when he chose a young tree to which to compare Telemachus. Tries, once planted, receive no tending from their parents. They depend upon the gifts of nature—sunlight, water—to develop. You also noted that trees gain character from the land on which they grow. Telemachus, being a young tree, though, has not spread roots deeply and remains vulnerable to erosive wind and rain (the suitors). The shallowness of his roots and vulnerability of the young Telemachus may explain why Eumaeus believes Telemachus to have made a mistake to leave Ithaca at the hands of the suitors.