Nestor, Menelaus, and Helen as Storytellers
Peter Palencia and Dane Madrigal
In the Odyssey, the storyteller plays a significant role as a preserver of history. There are two distinct scenes in the epic where this theme becomes prevalent. These two scenes would include that of his encounter with Nestor in Pylos and his meeting with Menelaus and Helen in Lakadiemon. During Telemachus’s visit in Plyos, King Nestor plays an important role to teach Telemachos a lesson about loyalty through the story of Agamemnon’s death. Nestor said that Klytaimestra, the wife of Agamemnon, and Aigisthos killed Agamemnon when he returned home from the Trojan War. Through this story, Nestor taught that disloyalty does not prevail forever. His lesson becomes real at the end of the epic. Odysseus like Orestes came home to bring justice to all those who are disloyal to Penelope and himself. Since the suitors did not listen to the words of Phemios to change their behavior, Odysseus had to kill the suitors. Additionally, he ordered Telemachus to kill the women servants and Menthalius after finding out that their loyalty belonged to the evil suitors. On the other hand, Odysseus placed his trust in those people who stayed faithful to him such as Eumaeus and uses them to help him to defeat the suitors. In addition to Nestor teaching a lesson through a story, his storytelling preserved the history of Odysseus. He told Telemachos the story about the last time that he saw Odysseus at Troy. The episode between Telemachus, Menelaus, and Helen also demonstrates the theme that the storyteller is a preserver of history. In this episode, it can be seen that both Menelaus and Helen give insight to Telemachus about his father Odysseus from the past. Helen begins by telling Telemachus that Odysseus was a cunning man through his ability to think on his feet. The scene that she uses was the occasion when Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar to get past the guards of Troy. Menelaus then mentions the most famous scene, in which Odysseus comes up with the idea for the Trojan horse, and how they would sneak into the city and make it vulnerable to a full attack. Both of which illustrate clearly, that the storyteller is not just meant to give insight into the past, but to preserve it.
Image Citation: King Nestor. Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 3 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/108_261175/1/108_261175/cite
Peter Palencia and Dane Madrigal
In the Odyssey, the storyteller plays a significant role as a preserver of history. There are two distinct scenes in the epic where this theme becomes prevalent. These two scenes would include that of his encounter with Nestor in Pylos and his meeting with Menelaus and Helen in Lakadiemon. During Telemachus’s visit in Plyos, King Nestor plays an important role to teach Telemachos a lesson about loyalty through the story of Agamemnon’s death. Nestor said that Klytaimestra, the wife of Agamemnon, and Aigisthos killed Agamemnon when he returned home from the Trojan War. Through this story, Nestor taught that disloyalty does not prevail forever. His lesson becomes real at the end of the epic. Odysseus like Orestes came home to bring justice to all those who are disloyal to Penelope and himself. Since the suitors did not listen to the words of Phemios to change their behavior, Odysseus had to kill the suitors. Additionally, he ordered Telemachus to kill the women servants and Menthalius after finding out that their loyalty belonged to the evil suitors. On the other hand, Odysseus placed his trust in those people who stayed faithful to him such as Eumaeus and uses them to help him to defeat the suitors. In addition to Nestor teaching a lesson through a story, his storytelling preserved the history of Odysseus. He told Telemachos the story about the last time that he saw Odysseus at Troy. The episode between Telemachus, Menelaus, and Helen also demonstrates the theme that the storyteller is a preserver of history. In this episode, it can be seen that both Menelaus and Helen give insight to Telemachus about his father Odysseus from the past. Helen begins by telling Telemachus that Odysseus was a cunning man through his ability to think on his feet. The scene that she uses was the occasion when Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar to get past the guards of Troy. Menelaus then mentions the most famous scene, in which Odysseus comes up with the idea for the Trojan horse, and how they would sneak into the city and make it vulnerable to a full attack. Both of which illustrate clearly, that the storyteller is not just meant to give insight into the past, but to preserve it.
Image Citation: King Nestor. Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 3 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/108_261175/1/108_261175/cite
Storyteller as Odysseus
Chandler Rhoades
In the Odyssey, the epic by Homer, there are many examples of how a storyteller shapes and defines the storyline. In one occasion, Odysseus comes across the Phaecians, specifically the princess, Nausicaa. She takes Odysseus to her father, King Alcinous, for food and shelter. Odysseus must explain to Alcinous how he came to his kingdom.
Odysseus had to tell how he came to Alcinous’ kingdom, and he replies by saying that it is a long story. He then proceeds to tell the story of how his boat was struck down, and all of his men died. He then washed up on Calypso’s island, where he stays for seven years. After those seven years, he floated on a boat, which was ripped apart by Neptune, so he had to swim until he reached the Phaecian kingdom. Now, after hearing that story, most people would assume that Odysseus is lying to the king. However, Alcinous finds the truth in the story. It is possible that Alcinous considered Odysseus’ story so far-fetched, that it would be impossible to make up. On the other hand, Homer was not the type of writer to leave this story up to chance for interpretation. It is more likely that Alcinous found that while it could be considered unbelievable, that it contained truths in it. For example, it would be possible for Odysseus’ ship to wreck. It could also be factual that he had lost all of his men in a storm. So while most of the story could be untrue, there are believable facts within the story that allow Alcinous to see the truth in Odysseus.
In conclusion, Alcinous was not gullible for believing in Odysseus, which is why he let Odysseus dine and sleep in his palace. This episode displays, however, that stories may not always be one hundred percent factual, but they contain truths in them. Because they contain facts, it can make a far-fetched story turn into a quite logical one.
Image Citation: Ulysses at the Court of Alcinous Created by Diotti Giuseppe. Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 1 Feb 2015. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/135_1589127/1/135_1589127/cite
Chandler Rhoades
In the Odyssey, the epic by Homer, there are many examples of how a storyteller shapes and defines the storyline. In one occasion, Odysseus comes across the Phaecians, specifically the princess, Nausicaa. She takes Odysseus to her father, King Alcinous, for food and shelter. Odysseus must explain to Alcinous how he came to his kingdom.
Odysseus had to tell how he came to Alcinous’ kingdom, and he replies by saying that it is a long story. He then proceeds to tell the story of how his boat was struck down, and all of his men died. He then washed up on Calypso’s island, where he stays for seven years. After those seven years, he floated on a boat, which was ripped apart by Neptune, so he had to swim until he reached the Phaecian kingdom. Now, after hearing that story, most people would assume that Odysseus is lying to the king. However, Alcinous finds the truth in the story. It is possible that Alcinous considered Odysseus’ story so far-fetched, that it would be impossible to make up. On the other hand, Homer was not the type of writer to leave this story up to chance for interpretation. It is more likely that Alcinous found that while it could be considered unbelievable, that it contained truths in it. For example, it would be possible for Odysseus’ ship to wreck. It could also be factual that he had lost all of his men in a storm. So while most of the story could be untrue, there are believable facts within the story that allow Alcinous to see the truth in Odysseus.
In conclusion, Alcinous was not gullible for believing in Odysseus, which is why he let Odysseus dine and sleep in his palace. This episode displays, however, that stories may not always be one hundred percent factual, but they contain truths in them. Because they contain facts, it can make a far-fetched story turn into a quite logical one.
Image Citation: Ulysses at the Court of Alcinous Created by Diotti Giuseppe. Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 1 Feb 2015. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/135_1589127/1/135_1589127/cite
The Nostalgia Effect
Justin Scroggin
In The Odyssey, storytellers play many key roles in revealing subjects that concern both the plot and underlying truths. On the island of the Phaeacians, there is a storyteller by the name of Demodocos that calls upon the feelings of Odysseus through his memories. This shows the ability of the storyteller to manipulate the feelings of the stories listeners, so long as they actually have a personal connection to the people listening to the story. The story that is told on the island of the Phaeacians is that of the quarrel between Achilles and Odysseus. At the start of the tale, Odysseus draws his mantle over his head and weeps, whereas others listening to the story are vastly intrigued and entertained. Odysseus withdraws due to his memories of the topic. This allows Alcinous to realize that Odysseus is truly who he claims to be, revealing the truths not based on facts, but the underlying meanings to his story. Another example of this occurring is Phemius back on Ithica. Phemius warns the suitors of their inevitable fate, but they do not take heed and are instead fascinated by his stories. Penelope, on the other hand, asks Phemius to change what he is singing about, so that she does not have to hear of her husband. Again, this shows the relationship of the listener and their memories to the story. In both cases, the listener weeps so long as they have personal involvement, whereas all of the others are perplexed and enveloped by the plot of the story.
Image Citation: Homer The Odyssey.. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 2 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/113_902218/1/113_902218/cite
Justin Scroggin
In The Odyssey, storytellers play many key roles in revealing subjects that concern both the plot and underlying truths. On the island of the Phaeacians, there is a storyteller by the name of Demodocos that calls upon the feelings of Odysseus through his memories. This shows the ability of the storyteller to manipulate the feelings of the stories listeners, so long as they actually have a personal connection to the people listening to the story. The story that is told on the island of the Phaeacians is that of the quarrel between Achilles and Odysseus. At the start of the tale, Odysseus draws his mantle over his head and weeps, whereas others listening to the story are vastly intrigued and entertained. Odysseus withdraws due to his memories of the topic. This allows Alcinous to realize that Odysseus is truly who he claims to be, revealing the truths not based on facts, but the underlying meanings to his story. Another example of this occurring is Phemius back on Ithica. Phemius warns the suitors of their inevitable fate, but they do not take heed and are instead fascinated by his stories. Penelope, on the other hand, asks Phemius to change what he is singing about, so that she does not have to hear of her husband. Again, this shows the relationship of the listener and their memories to the story. In both cases, the listener weeps so long as they have personal involvement, whereas all of the others are perplexed and enveloped by the plot of the story.
Image Citation: Homer The Odyssey.. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 2 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/113_902218/1/113_902218/cite
Storyteller as Emmaus
Mark Woinarowicz
Storytellers played a very crucial role in the epic poem, the Odyssey. An instance of this theme was the interaction between Odysseus, who disguised by Athena as an old beggar at the time, and the swineherd Emmaus. This interaction demonstrates how there is a whole lot more to storytelling than the literal meaning.
When Odysseus, while in Ithica, is in search of a place to stay, Emmaus lets him stay at his house. There is a condition to this deal, however. Odysseus is allowed to stay as long as he tells Emmaus of his travels. Odysseus, as the beggar, tells Emmaus of how he met the King of Ithica during his travels. At first, Emmaus does not believe Odysseus because other travelers before Odysseus have claimed the same statement, and they have lied. Odysseus then recounts his Qvoutrageous stories that surely no would believe to be true.
After Odysseus is done speaking, the swineherd expresses to Odysseus the he believes the stories he has been told. Even though Odysseus’ stories were very much larger than life, his stories conveyed more truths than they did facts. These truths were how Emmaus was able to believe Odysseus’ stories. With stories that are very factual, it is hard to tell if they are true because of the plausibility of each fact. With stories such as Odysseus’, it is much easier for Emmaus to determine which parts of the story are truthful, and which parts are not. Emmaus compares Odysseus to a bard after he hears the stories. This example goes to show that bards or storytellers reveal more than just the literal in the stories they tell.
Image Citation: Homer The Odyssey.. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 3 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/113_921337/1/113_921337/cite
Mark Woinarowicz
Storytellers played a very crucial role in the epic poem, the Odyssey. An instance of this theme was the interaction between Odysseus, who disguised by Athena as an old beggar at the time, and the swineherd Emmaus. This interaction demonstrates how there is a whole lot more to storytelling than the literal meaning.
When Odysseus, while in Ithica, is in search of a place to stay, Emmaus lets him stay at his house. There is a condition to this deal, however. Odysseus is allowed to stay as long as he tells Emmaus of his travels. Odysseus, as the beggar, tells Emmaus of how he met the King of Ithica during his travels. At first, Emmaus does not believe Odysseus because other travelers before Odysseus have claimed the same statement, and they have lied. Odysseus then recounts his Qvoutrageous stories that surely no would believe to be true.
After Odysseus is done speaking, the swineherd expresses to Odysseus the he believes the stories he has been told. Even though Odysseus’ stories were very much larger than life, his stories conveyed more truths than they did facts. These truths were how Emmaus was able to believe Odysseus’ stories. With stories that are very factual, it is hard to tell if they are true because of the plausibility of each fact. With stories such as Odysseus’, it is much easier for Emmaus to determine which parts of the story are truthful, and which parts are not. Emmaus compares Odysseus to a bard after he hears the stories. This example goes to show that bards or storytellers reveal more than just the literal in the stories they tell.
Image Citation: Homer The Odyssey.. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 3 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/113_921337/1/113_921337/cite
Storytellers, a Two-Sided Coin
Torin Siegal
The storyteller served the valuable purpose of conveying the vast history and tradition of the Greek people. However, they needed not only to know this information, yet also, know how to apply it to each scenario they were confronted with. When Ulysses and Telemachus make their triumphant return in book XXII, Phemius, the Bard of Ithaca, begs for his life by stating, "Ulysses, I beseech you…spare me. You will be sorry…if you kill a bard who can sing both for gods and men…I make all my lays myself, and heaven visits me with every kind of inspiration” Thus, Phemius demonstrates that story tellers are the mediators between the divine and the mortal. Through this section, and many others, Homer is using the idea of divine intervention to explain the extraordinary abilities of Phemius and other storytellers. At the beginning of both the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homer used the invocation of the muse to have a deity divinely inspire him on what to speak to the people. However, the story would have no effect if not for the mortal aspect of it. In Phemius’ quote, he states that, “he makes all his lays himself,” or teaches himself all his stories. This does not mean that he did not have a teacher, or someone to give him his stories. It merely means that he has taught himself to be able to use these oratorical gifts from the gods, and be able to perfectly apply them to any situation needed.
Thus, this aspect of Phemius demonstrates to the reader that the storyteller, much like a coin, is two sided. While they may receive divine inspiration for stories, much like the wisdom of Athene falling upon Odysseus, it is only useful if the mortal counterpart is able to take his own skills and apply them in the correct fashion.
Image Citation: The Song of Phemius and the Sorrow of Penelope 1897 Thomas Ralph Spence (1855-1918 British) Private Collection . Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 3 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/107_3362016/1/107_3362016/cite
Torin Siegal
The storyteller served the valuable purpose of conveying the vast history and tradition of the Greek people. However, they needed not only to know this information, yet also, know how to apply it to each scenario they were confronted with. When Ulysses and Telemachus make their triumphant return in book XXII, Phemius, the Bard of Ithaca, begs for his life by stating, "Ulysses, I beseech you…spare me. You will be sorry…if you kill a bard who can sing both for gods and men…I make all my lays myself, and heaven visits me with every kind of inspiration” Thus, Phemius demonstrates that story tellers are the mediators between the divine and the mortal. Through this section, and many others, Homer is using the idea of divine intervention to explain the extraordinary abilities of Phemius and other storytellers. At the beginning of both the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homer used the invocation of the muse to have a deity divinely inspire him on what to speak to the people. However, the story would have no effect if not for the mortal aspect of it. In Phemius’ quote, he states that, “he makes all his lays himself,” or teaches himself all his stories. This does not mean that he did not have a teacher, or someone to give him his stories. It merely means that he has taught himself to be able to use these oratorical gifts from the gods, and be able to perfectly apply them to any situation needed.
Thus, this aspect of Phemius demonstrates to the reader that the storyteller, much like a coin, is two sided. While they may receive divine inspiration for stories, much like the wisdom of Athene falling upon Odysseus, it is only useful if the mortal counterpart is able to take his own skills and apply them in the correct fashion.
Image Citation: The Song of Phemius and the Sorrow of Penelope 1897 Thomas Ralph Spence (1855-1918 British) Private Collection . Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 3 Feb 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/#/search/107_3362016/1/107_3362016/cite
Conclusion
The storyteller was an integral part of the Greek community and the Odyssey itself. In the very beginning of the poem, and invocation to the muse was used so that Homer could have the muse speak the story through, and storytellers were used many times throughout the epic. Through this epic poem, the storyteller served many purposes, all of which had their own unique impact on the way the novel played out. Whether it be the idea that the storyteller characterized a group of people, illustrated sublime truth from otherwise seemingly unbelievable tales, or to interpret the message of the gods and have others understand what has been stated, storytellers always conveyed a strong message. Additionally, the storyteller had the ability to convey vital information to the readers.The role of the storyteller also fell upon many different people in the Odyssey, whether they are bard or king, such as Demodokus, Odysseus or even King Nestor himself. Thus, each of these elements played on a different aspect of the Odyssey and the characters within it. With every new book came a new take on the storyteller, and what their skill was used for. All of these different uses, in the end, came to make the up the combined role of the storyteller, in the Odyssey, and add more to the story.
The storyteller was an integral part of the Greek community and the Odyssey itself. In the very beginning of the poem, and invocation to the muse was used so that Homer could have the muse speak the story through, and storytellers were used many times throughout the epic. Through this epic poem, the storyteller served many purposes, all of which had their own unique impact on the way the novel played out. Whether it be the idea that the storyteller characterized a group of people, illustrated sublime truth from otherwise seemingly unbelievable tales, or to interpret the message of the gods and have others understand what has been stated, storytellers always conveyed a strong message. Additionally, the storyteller had the ability to convey vital information to the readers.The role of the storyteller also fell upon many different people in the Odyssey, whether they are bard or king, such as Demodokus, Odysseus or even King Nestor himself. Thus, each of these elements played on a different aspect of the Odyssey and the characters within it. With every new book came a new take on the storyteller, and what their skill was used for. All of these different uses, in the end, came to make the up the combined role of the storyteller, in the Odyssey, and add more to the story.