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for what is odysseus insulted by laodamas in book 8 of the odyssey

by Guiseppe Reynolds Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

This angers Odysseus

Odysseus

Odysseus, also known by the Latin variant Ulysses, is a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in that same epic cycle.

, and he agrees to compete in the games. Odysseus initially refuses to join the games out of prudence, since his strength and skill might give away his identity. But he can't tolerate an insult: his desire for glory, and its accompanying intolerance to shame, overtake his prudent desire to hide his identity.

Full Answer

What is the theme of the Odyssey Book 8?

The Odyssey Book 8 Summary & Analysis. He can turn it on and off; he has self-restraint, and acts appropriately at all times. Just as Calypso represented a temptation for Odysseus to give up his quest to return home, so does the flirting, beautiful, young Nausicaa, but Odysseus desire to return home is not swayed.

What happens in Book 7 of the Odyssey?

Summary: Book 7. On his way to the palace of Alcinous, the king of the Phaeacians, Odysseus is stopped by a young girl who is Athena in disguise. She offers to guide him to the king’s house and shrouds him in a protective mist that keeps the Phaeacians, a kind but somewhat xenophobic people, from harassing him.

What did Laodamas say to Ulysses when he first met him?

When Laodamas heard this he made his way into the middle of the crowd and said to Ulysses, "I hope, Sir, that you will enter yourself for some one or other of our competitions if you are skilled in any of them—and you must have gone in for many a one before now.

Why is Demodocus in Book 8 of the Odyssey?

That Demodocus and his songs occupy a surprisingly large portion of Book 8 may owe simply to the culturally important role that oral poets played in Homeric life. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Odyssey !

How is Odysseus insulted by Ctesippus?

Ctesippus, a wealthy and arrogant suitor, throws a cow's hoof at Odysseus, in response to which Telemachus threatens to run him through with his sword.

Who is euryalus and how does he offend Odysseus?

After some games, Laodamas, one of Alcinous' sons, asks Odysseus to try his skill in some sport, but he replies that his heart is too sorrowful to do so. Euryalus, one of the competitors, rebukes him for this answer, saying that he is like a merchant whose only interest is in his greedily gotten gains.

What happened in Chapter 8 of the Odyssey?

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.

What does Seareach accuse Odysseus of being?

Seareach accuses him of being a man only interested in business and profit and not being an athlete. With Athena's help what athletic feat does Odysseus accomplish? He throws the heavy discus the farthest.

How did euryalus provoke Odysseus?

How does Euryalus insult Odysseus? He says Odysseus is bad at all the sports that men delight in. He supposes that he is a grasping trader who don't care about their outward freights.

What did euryalus give Odysseus?

Then Euryalus said, "King Alcinous, I will give the stranger all the satisfaction you require. He shall have my sword, which is of bronze, all but the hilt, which is of silver. I will also give him the scabbard of newly sawn ivory into which it fits.

Who is Laodamas in the Odyssey?

He is the most handsome of the Phaeacians, and the best boxer in the games held in Odysseus's honor. He and his brothers were also the winners of the foot-racing contest. Laodamas asks Odysseus to join in the games. After Odysseus is rebuked by Euryalus, he challenges any of the Phaeacians save Laodamas.

What happens at the end of book 8 of the Odyssey?

Just as Telemachus's tears reveal his identity to Menelaus, Odysseus's tears give him away to Alcinous.

What is the conflict in book 8 of the Odyssey?

In fact, the main conflict of the epic is how Odysseus must reckon with the greedy and ignoble suitors who have overrun his estate in his absence.

What happens in books 5/8 of the Odyssey?

All gods, except Poseidon, have gathered again on Olympus, and Athena once more advocates Odysseus' case. Zeus agrees to send his son Hermes immediately to Ogygia to liberate Odysseus from Calypso. Zeus advises Athena to help Telemachus return home unharmed, escaping the suitors' ambush.

How does the Kretan hear tell of Odysseus?

How does the "Kretan" hear tell of Odysseus? He heard that Odysseus was alive in the palace.

Where in the Odyssey does Odysseus sleep with Calypso?

He was forced to sleep with her in the hollow cave at night, as she wished though he did not, but by day he sat among rocks or sand, tormenting himself with tears, groans and anguish, gazing with wet eyes at the restless sea.

Morning Announcement

Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians, and his wife Arete have promised to help Odysseus in his journey home. It is morning, and at the beginning of Book 8 in Homer's The Odyssey, the two men make their way to the Phaeacian assembly ground where Alcinous will speak with his people about the plans to provide Odysseus with supplies.

Competition

The young Phaeacian athletes are busy getting ready to participate in races, wrestling matches, and other athletic competitions. After several games, prince Laodamas, Alcinous's son, points out they should invite Odysseus to join them. After all, their guest certainly seems to be healthy and fit.

Who insulted Odysseus?

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 does Odysseus say about the king?

At first, the king wonders if this wayward traveler might be a god, but without revealing his identity, Odysseus puts the king’s suspicions to rest by declaring that he is indeed a mortal. He then explains his predicament, and the king and queen gladly promise to see him off the next day in a Phaeacian ship.

What did Odysseus say about Nausicaa?

While still withholding his name, Odysseus responds by recounting the story of his journey from Calypso ’s island and his encounter with Nausicaa that morning, which involved her giving him a set of clothes to wear. To absolve the princess for not accompanying him to the palace, Odysseus claims that it was his idea to come alone. ...

Where does Athena take Odysseus?

Once Athena has delivered Odysseus to the palace, she departs from Scheria to her beloved city of Athens. Odysseus finds the palace residents holding a festival in honor of Poseidon. He is struck by the splendor of the palace and the king’s opulence.

Where does Odysseus stay?

Odysseus’s stay at Alcinous’s palace provides the reader with some relief as it bridges the narrative of Odysseus’s uncertain journey from Calypso’s island and the woeful exploits that he recounts in Books 9 through 12. Ironically, for all of his poise, Odysseus cannot remain at peace even when he finds himself outside the direct influence of the wrath of various gods. His melancholy at the Phaeacian games prompts an insult from Broadsea, which in turn provokes an intense series of challenges between Odysseus and the Phaeacian youths. His tears at Demodocus’s song attract Alcinous’s attention and ultimately force him to reveal his identity and relate the history of his anguish-filled journey. Additionally, though he makes no mention of it again after Book 8, Homer has already hinted that Odysseus has aroused the affection of Princess Nausicaa—just a short while after escaping the demanding attentions of the divine Calypso.

Who asks Odysseus to sing the Trojan horse?

At dinner that night, Odysseus asks Demodocus to sing of the Trojan horse and the sack of Troy, but as he listens to the accomplished minstrel he again breaks down. King Alcinous again notices and stops the music. He asks Odysseus at last to tell him who he is, where he is from, and where he is going.

Who sings the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles?

There, a blind bard named Demodocus sings of the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles at Troy. Everyone listens with pleasure except Odysseus, who weeps at the painful memories that the story recalls.

What does Ulysses say about the athlete?

There does not seem to be much of the athlete about you.". "For shame, Sir," answered Ulysses, fiercely, "you are an insolent fellow—so true is it that the gods do not grace all men alike in speech, person, and understanding.

Who hung Demodocus's lyre on its peg for him?

A servant hung Demodocus's lyre on its peg for him, led him out of the cloister, and set him on the same way as that along which all the chief men of the Phaeacians were going to see the sports; a crowd of several thousands of people followed them, and there were many excellent competitors for all the prizes.

What evil did the will of Jove fall upon?

Here was the beginning of the evil that by the will of Jove fell both upon Danaans and Trojans. Thus sang the bard, but Ulysses drew his purple mantle over his head and covered his face, for he was ashamed to let the Phaeacians see that he was weeping.

Who was the best looking man among the Phaeacians?

There was also Euryalus son of Naubolus, who was like Mars himself, and was the best looking man among the Phaeacians except Laodamas. Three sons of Alcinous, Laodamas, Halios, and Clytoneus, competed also. The foot races came first.

Who was the bard that seated himself beside Alcinous?

When he had said this, he seated himself beside Alcinous. Supper was then served, and the wine was mixed for drinking. A servant led in the favourite bard Demodocus, and set him in the midst of the company, near one of the bearing-posts supporting the cloister, that he might lean against it.

Who came and marked the place where it had fallen?

Minerva, in the form of a man, came and marked the place where it had fallen. "A blind man, Sir," said she, "could easily tell your mark by groping for it—it is so far ahead of any other. You may make your mind easy about this contest, for no Phaeacian can come near to such a throw as yours.".

1.The Odyssey Book 8 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts

Url:https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-odyssey/book-8

29 hours ago Analysis. At dawn, Athena in the guise of Alcinous gathers people to the meeting grounds. 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. After everyone eats and drinks, the bard Demodocus ...

2.The Odyssey Book 8: Summary & Quotes - Study.com

Url:https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-odyssey-book-8-summary-quotes.html

16 hours ago  · Morning Announcement. Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians, and his wife Arete have promised to help Odysseus in his journey home. It is morning, and at the beginning of Book 8 in Homer's The Odyssey ...

3.The Odyssey Books 7–8 Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes

Url:https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/section4/

3 hours ago Additionally, though he makes no mention of it again after Book 8, Homer has already hinted that Odysseus has aroused the affection of Princess Nausicaa—just a short while after escaping the demanding attentions of the divine Calypso. The tension between passion and constancy is particularly strong in Books 7 and 8. Homer sustains it not only through subtle allusions to …

4.The Odyssey: Book 8 Flashcards | Quizlet

Url:https://quizlet.com/149032278/the-odyssey-book-8-flash-cards/

32 hours ago The Odyssey: Book 8. STUDY. Flashcards. Learn. Write. Spell. Test. PLAY. Match. Gravity. Created by. js1398. Terms in this set (42) During the battle, where does Odysseus go? ... When Laodamas mocks him, what does Odysseus do? Says he could beat anyone and throws a discus farther than any of the others.

5.The Odyssey: Book VIII | SparkNotes

Url:https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/full-text/book-viii/

14 hours ago 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 ...

6.The Odyssey book 8 Flashcards - Quizlet

Url:https://quizlet.com/22220133/the-odyssey-book-8-flash-cards/

9 hours ago What is the extended metaphor used by Homer to describe how Odysseus cries when hearing the story of Troy? He wept as a woman weeps when she throws her arms around the body of her beloved husband, fallen in battle in the defence of his city and his comrades, fighting to save his city and his children from the evil day.

7.The Odyssey book 8 Flashcards | Quizlet

Url:https://quizlet.com/16021285/the-odyssey-book-8-flash-cards/

22 hours ago Start studying The Odyssey book 8. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.

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