what is a course in the odyssey book 8

by Barbara Hamill 7 min read

What is Course Hero Book 8 of the Odyssey?

Odysseus is invited to take part in the competition, but he declines, blaming his weariness from traveling. One of the champions teases him, and Odysseus, angered, agrees to take part in the games to prove him wrong. Odysseus easily wins the competition, claiming he will defeat anyone who challenges him. After the competition and another song ...

Where does book 5 of the Odyssey take place?

The out houses, yards, and all the precincts were filled with crowds of men in great multitudes both old and young; and Alcinous killed them a dozen sheep, eight full grown pigs, and two oxen. These they skinned and dressed so as to provide a magnificent banquet. A servant presently led in the famous bard Demodocus, whom the muse had dearly ...

What happens in Book 8 of the Odyssey?

book 1 book 2 book 3 book 4 book 5 book 6 book 7 book 8 book 9 book 10 book 11 book 12 book 13 book 14 book 15 book 16 ... and godlike Clytoneus. [120] These then first made trial in the foot-race.A course was marked out for them from the turning point, 2 and they all sped swiftly, raising ... The Odyssey with an English Translation by A.T ...

Why does Odysseus Woo Circe in Book 10?

Jun 25, 2020 · Book 8 King Alcinous throws a great feast for Odysseus, who has not yet revealed his identity. At the feast, the bard Demodocus sings the tale of the infamous quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles ...

What happens in the Odyssey Chapter 8?

In Book 8, Alcinous instructs his people to prepare a ship and crew for Odysseus, whose name they still do not know. While preparations are made, they will enjoy feasting and athletic competitions. He calls for the minstrel Demodocus, who makes Odysseus cry when he sings about the battle between Odysseus and Achilles.Dec 23, 2021

What does Odysseus do in book 8?

At one point, Odysseus is asked to participate. Still overcome by his many hardships, he declines. One of the young athletes, Broadsea, then insults him, which goads his pride to action. Odysseus easily wins the discus toss and then challenges the Phaeacian athletes to any other form of competition they choose.

What is the prophecy in book 8 of the Odyssey?

He silences his bard and invites him to tell his tale, but not before a complete non sequitur in which he tells everyone of a prophecy that one of his ships will be turned to stone and mountains thrown up around his city. Everyone is all, "Um…OK" and then gets ready to hear Odysseus' story.

Who was in book 8 of the Odyssey?

THE ODYSSEY BOOK 8, TRANSLATED BY A. T. MURRAY. [1] As soon as early Dawn appeared, the rosy-fingered, the strong and mighty Alcinous rose from his couch, and up rose also Zeus-born Odysseus, the sacker of cities.

What is the epic simile in Book 8 of the Odyssey?

King Alcinous uses a simile to compare a friend to a suppliant saying, "a stranger and suppliant is as dear as a brother"(8.591). During the song, the lyre uses a simile singing about Odysseus leaving Troy singing, "but how Odysseus went, / like the War God himself"(8.559-560).Sep 1, 2015

What does Alcinous ask Odysseus at the end of BK 8?

When everyone arrives, Alcinous asks his people to bring a ship down to the sea and to find a crew of fifty-two men to transport Odysseus home; everyone else, he says, should gather to feast and celebrate.

What is the subject of Demodocus first song at Alcinous feast in Book 8?

Demodocus first appears at a feast in the hall of Alcinous, after he approved that Odysseus should be provided with a ship for a safe passage home. During the feast Demodocus sings about the disagreement between Odysseus and Achilles at Troy.

In which contest in Book 8 does Odysseus first outstrip all others?

What is the subject of Demodocus' first song at Alcinous' feast in book 8? In which contest in book 8 does Odysseus first outstrip all others? Odysseus and his men have just landed on an island after the Lotus eaters.

Who did Calypso marry?

OdysseusCalypso loves Odysseus and wants to make him immortal so he can stay with her and be her husband forever, even though she understands that he doesn't love her back and wants to return to Penelope.

How does the text describe Polyphemus?

How does the text describe Polyphemus? How does he treat his guest? Polyphemus is lawless and solitary, a wonderful monster and incredibly strong. He has no regard for guests; he kills them and eats them without a second thought.

What does Alcinous mean in Greek?

mighty mindIn Greek mythology, Alcinous (/ælˈkɪnoʊs/; Ancient Greek: Ἀλκίνους or Ἀλκίνοος Alkínoös means "mighty mind") was a son of Nausithous and brother of Rhexenor. After the latter's death, he married his brother's daughter Arete who bore him Nausicaa, Halius, Clytoneus and Laodamas.

What is Alcinous in The Odyssey?

Alcinous, in Greek mythology, king of the Phaeacians (on the legendary island of Scheria), son of Nausithoüs, and grandson of the god Poseidon. In the Odyssey (Books VI–XIII) he entertained Odysseus, who had been cast by a storm onto the shore of the island.

What book does Odysseus encounter the Lotus-Eaters?

Although told in retrospect, the events of books 9 to 12 are the most widely known in The Odyssey. This includes Odysseus’s encounter with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and the goddess Circe, who transforms his men into swine.

Who is Odysseus in The Odyssey?

Odysseus reveals that he is Odysseus of Ithaca, son of Laertes and hero of the Trojan War, famous among gods and men for his cunning. He then begins to recount his travails after the Achaean victory at Troy.

Where did Odysseus and his men land?

Odysseus and his men landed on the island of Aeolus, master of the winds. After entertaining Odysseus and his men for a month, Aeolus gifted Odysseus with an ox-skin pouch of winds in order to speed his journey homeward. However, Odysseus’s men suspected that there were hidden riches inside the pouch and opened it while Odysseus was sleeping, releasing all the winds at once. Thus Odysseus’s ships were blown backward, undoing all the progress they had made.

What happened to Odysseus and his ships?

When the Ciconian forces retaliated, Odysseus lost many men. Next, Odysseus and his ships were blown off course to the land of the Lotus-Eaters. There, some of his men ate the enchanted lotus plants and lost all desire to return home. They had to be dragged and forced back onto the ships.

What is the sport of the young men of Scheria?

To provide entertainment, the young men of Scheria engage in athletic competitions such as foot-racing and wrestling in the meeting grounds. Laodomas, son of King Alcinous, invites Odysseus to compete in the discus-throwing competition. When Odysseus declines, the athlete Euryalus insults his manliness and skills in combat.

What did Odysseus cry about?

And Odysseus ’ heart melted, and tears poured from his eyes. He wept pitifully, as a woman weeps who throws herself on her husband’s dying body, fallen in front of his city and people, trying to ward off that evil moment from the city and his own children: watching him gasping for breath in dying, she clings to him and screams aloud, while behind her the enemy beat her back and shoulders with their spears: then she is led into captivity to endure a life of toil and suffering, her cheeks wasted pitifully with grief. He hid the falling tears from all except Alcinous, who, aware because he sat by him, noticed all, and heard him sighing deeply. At one he addressed the sea-faring Phaeacians :

Who brought the hollow lyre from the king's hall?

The herald rose at godlike Alcinous ’ words and brought the hollow lyre from the king’s hall. Then nine elected officials, who organised the games, cleared a space, and marked out a wide arena for the dance. Next, the herald came forward carrying Demodocus ’ ringing lyre. The bard stood in the centre and round him a group of dancers, boys in the first flush of youth, skilled in dancing, and Odysseus marvelled as he gazed at their flashing feet, striking the sacred dancing floor.

What did Alcinous say to Arete?

There, the sons of faultless Alcinous took them and placed them before their beloved mother. And royal Alcinous leading the way they all entered and sat on raised seats. Then mighty Alcinous said to Arete: ‘Wife, have a fine coffer, the best you have, brought here, and place a fresh tunic and cloak in it yourself, and heat a cauldron of water over the fire, so that when he has bathed, and seen stored away all these gifts the noble Phaeacians have brought, he can take pleasure in the feast and the singing. And I will give him this fine gold cup, so he may remember me forever when he pours libations, at home, to Zeus and the other gods.’

image