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who is eurycleia in the odyssey

by Hailie Gottlieb Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Eurycleia was Odysseus' wet nurse and the one who would have had a primary role in raising him (and later Telemachus). The closeness of their relationship is emphasized in the scene where she recognizes the disguised hero from the scar on his leg.Jun 3, 2014

Full Answer

Who is eurymakhos in the Odyssey?

The name Eurymachus, Evrimahos, or Eurýmakhos (Εὐρύμαχος), is attributed to the following individuals: In Homer ’s Odyssey, Eurymachus, son of Polybus, is an Ithican nobleman and one of the two leading suitors of Penelope, the other being Antinous.

Who is Odysseus' son in the Odyssey?

Within Greek mythology, Telemachus is the son of Odysseus and Penelope. He is a character in Homer’s “Odyssey” whose story is told in the first four books named “The Telemachy”. Telemachus is very young when his father leaves for the Trojan War.

Who is Erebus in the Odyssey?

Erebus is the dark area of the underworld where the dead reside. Erebus is also the Greek God of Darkness. In the meantime, Odysseus is on his way back to his home, Ithaca. While passing through Erebus he see’s his mother, she killed herself because he hadn’t returned after 10 years.

Who were Odysseus' enemies?

Enemies, Opponents and Rivals of Odysseus. 1. Ajax the Greater and Lesser. This father and son were Odysseus’s friendly rivals in his time as a soldier during the Trojan War. During the funeral games for Patroclus, Odysseus was challenged by them. He wrestled with the older Ajax (the Greater), in a match which ended in a draw.

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What is Eurycleia relationship to Odysseus?

Eurycleia is a maid in the palace of Odysseus and was bought as a slave by Odysseus' father, Laertes. Laertes treated her as a wife, but they never consummated their relationship because Laertes didn't want to dishonor his actual wife, Anticleia.

Who is Eurycleia to Telemachus?

Eurycleia as Telemachus' Devoted Nurse and Trusted Confidante. Eurycleia's history above appears in Book One of The Odyssey during her first scene. In this part of the narrative, the action is simple; Eurycleia carries the torch to light Telemachus' way to his bedroom and helps him prepare for bed.

Who is Eurycleia in the Odyssey Book 1?

She is the one that bathes Odysseus when he is still disguised as a beggar. As she bathes him, she recognizes a scar on the man's leg, giving him away as Odysseus.

How did Eurycleia recognize Odysseus?

Only reluctantly does he allow Eurycleia to wash his feet. As she is putting them in a basin of water, she notices a scar on one of his feet. She immediately recognizes it as the scar that Odysseus received when he went boar hunting with his grandfather Autolycus.

What does Eurycleia symbolize in the Odyssey?

Eurycleia's name means "broad fame," while Anticleia means "anti-fame." The tension between the meanings of Eurycleia's name and Anticleia's name reflects the tension between the two pillars of Odysseus' life.

How is Eurycleia portrayed in the Odyssey?

Eurycleia. The aged and loyal servant who nursed Odysseus and Telemachus when they were babies. Eurycleia is well informed about palace intrigues and serves as confidante to her masters.

Who was Odysseus best friend?

PolitesPolites was a member of Odysseus's crew. Odysseus refers to him as his dearest friend, though he is only mentioned twice, once as part of Eurylochus's scouting group on Circe's island (he is one of the first to enter Circe's palace) and then when, after a year, he convinces Odysseus to leave Circe.

Who are all the characters in the Odyssey?

OdysseusCirceTelemachusPenelopePolyphemusMenelausOdyssey/Characters

Who did Calypso marry?

OdysseusAccording to Homer's epic, the Odyssey, when Odysseus landed on Ogygia, Calypso fell in love with him and decided to keep him as her immortal husband.

Did Penelope sleep with the suitors?

Penelope identifies Odysseus' specialty as making people look like fools and wonders why his stories have survived so long, despite being an admitted liar. She dispels the rumour that she slept with Amphinomus and the rumour that she slept with all the suitors and consequently gave birth to Pan.

How did Eurycleia Odysseus maid recognize his master Odysseus after long years of being gone?

Eurycleia, who cared for Odysseus when he was a boy, soon identifies him as her master (in large part because of the scar above his knee, which she sees while bathing him).

Who first recognizes Odysseus?

Who is the first human to recognize the disguised Odysseus, the beggar, and how does she recognize him? The first human to recognize the disguised Odysseus is Eurycleia, an old nurse. She recognizes him by a scar on his leg.

Is Telegonus related to Odysseus?

Telegonus, in Greek mythology, especially the Telagonia of Eugammon of Cyrene, the son of the hero Odysseus by the sorceress Circe. Telegonus went to Ithaca in search of his father, whom he killed unwittingly.

How did Eurycleia Odysseus maid recognize his master Odysseus after long years of being gone?

Eurycleia, who cared for Odysseus when he was a boy, soon identifies him as her master (in large part because of the scar above his knee, which she sees while bathing him).

What is Philoetius job?

In Homer's Odyssey, Philoetius is Odysseus's primary cowherd.

Who did Calypso marry?

OdysseusAccording to Homer's epic, the Odyssey, when Odysseus landed on Ogygia, Calypso fell in love with him and decided to keep him as her immortal husband.

How did Eurycleia recognize Odysseus?

Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus when she is bathing him. She sees a scar on his leg and recognizes it as the same scar Odysseus had gotten while hunt...

What kind of person is Eurycleia?

Eurycleia is a kind person and is known as the kind maid throughout The Odyssey. She was knowledgeable and a good person for Odysseus and, later, h...

What is Eurycleia role in the Odyssey?

Eurycleia was first Odysseus's wet nurse when he was a child and was a confidant for him his entire life. She then becomes Telemachus's nurse and h...

How did Eurycleia recognize him?

After he entered his own house as a guest of Penelope disguised as a beggar, Eurycleia bathed him and recognized him by a scar just above his knee, which he got from a boar while boar hunting with his grandfather Autolycus. Odysseus stopped her from telling Penelope or anyone else (except Telemachus, who already knows) in the house of his true identity: Gripping her by the throat he saids, "Nanny, d'ye want to destroy me?...not another soul must know. Or...I will not spare even you my nurse, when I kill the other women in this house."

What does Eurycleia mean?

Eurycleia's name means "broad fame," while Anticleia means "anti-fame." The tension between the meanings of Eurycleia's name and Anticleia's name reflected the tension between the two pillars of Odysseus' life. He was born to Anticleia, a noble woman, but was nursed (and essentially raised) by Eurycleia, a lower-class maid. Odysseus' fame came from his role as a noble hero paralleled to his role as an anonymous beggar. His heroism was essential for capturing Troy; his skills as an orator and schemer as well as his strength and skills on the battlefield were instrumental in the success of the Greeks. However, he took on the role of a beggar not once, but twice. Odysseus' first appeared as a beggar to sneak into Troy and kill unsuspecting Trojan soldiers, and again when he returned home to Ithaca and planned to kill all of Penelope's suitors. In many ways, his role as a beggar, especially when he returned to Ithaca is far more meaningful. His re-entry into his own home after twenty years was arguably the most important moment of his life, perhaps suggesting that his role as a beggar—and his connection with Eurycleia—is what is most important to him.

Why did the queen test Odysseus?

The queen then tested Odysseus to prove that he was indeed her husband and asked him to move the bed Odysseus built in their marriage-chamber; Odysseus told Penelope that it was not possible, as one of the legs of the bed was built into a live olive tree, a secret that only Penelope and Odysseus would know.

Who wrote Odysseus and Eurycleia?

Odysseus and Eurycleia, by Christian Gottlob Heyne. For other uses, see Eurycleia (mythology). In Greek mythology, Eurycleia ( Ancient Greek: Εὐρύκλεια Eurýkleia ), or Euryclea ( / ˌjʊərɪˈkliːə /; also known as Antiphata (Ἀντιφάτη Antipháte) in other traditions), is the daughter of Ops and granddaughter of Peisenor, ...

Who bought Eurycleia?

As a girl, Eurycleia was bought by Laertes, Odysseus' father. He treated her as his wife, but she was never his consummated lover so as not to dishonor his real wife, Anticleia. She later nursed Telemachus, Odysseus' son.

Who gave supplies to Telemachus?

In addition, it was Eurycleia who gave provisions and supplies to Telemachus from the storehouse before he left for Pylos to seek news about Odysseus. She took an oath not to tell Penelope he had left until twelve days had passed; Telemachus not wanting his mother to be any more worried than she already was.

What is the eurycleia archetype?

What then is the eurycleia archetype? She is a trusted slave who was treated like one of the family. Odysseus is dependent upon a number of loyal servants. In fact one has to figure out how, in general, to do this. Life is pretty miserable if you cannot trust the people around you.

What does Penelope say about Eurycleia?

Penelope says of Eurycleia: “I have an ancient woman of an understanding heart, that diligently nursed and tended that hapless man my lord, she took him in her arms in the hour when his mother bare him.” (Odyssey Book XIX)

Why did the nurse recognize Odysseus?

Answer: She was the loyal nurse of Odysseus and his son Telemachus. She was able to recognize Odysseus quite easily because she knew his scars.

Who was Odysseus' nurse?

Eurycleia was the nurse both of Odysseus and his son Telemachus.

How many states did Aeschylus line in Athens?

Question: The Persians by Aeschylus line 243 states of Athens:

What is the name of the two women who raised Odysseus?

Continuing our look at the etymology of proper names, it is interesting that the two women who jointly raised Odysseus have very similar names: Eurycleia means “broad fame,” and Anticleia means “opposing fame.” Do their names constitute a clue concerning their respective attitudes towards Odysseus’ quest for kleos by joining the expedition to Troy?

Who is Odysseus' wet nurse?

Eurycleia was Odysseus’ wet nurse and the one who would have had a primary role in raising him (and later Telemachus). The closeness of their relationship is emphasized in the scene where she recognizes the disguised hero from the scar on his leg. She obeys his instructions even at the price of temporarily deceiving her mistress Penelope.

Who recognizes Odysseus in Book Nineteen?

As we moved to Book Nineteen, (Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus) “It’s true, dear child, You are Odysseus, and I didn’t know you, not until I’d touched all my master’s body.” She spoke, and her eyes glanced over at Penelope, anxious to tell her that her husband had come home.Then Odysseus’ arms reached out for Eurycleia—with his right hand he grabbed her by the throat,and with the other pulled her closer to him.

Does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus?

As far as her feelings towards this situation, she was very glad to know that Odysseus whom she has a close bond with has returned they both were fortunate to see each other – “Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus.” Eurycleia was mortal, and regardless of all the characters such as Calypso and the devious Sirens, she was the normal and faithful one that has nothing to do with the Gods and Goddess’ characteristics.

Who is the shepherd that helps Odysseus reclaim his throne?

Eumaeus. The loyal shepherd who, along with the cowherd Philoetius, helps Odysseus reclaim his throne after his return to Ithaca. Even though he does not know that the vagabond who appears at his hut is Odysseus, Eumaeus gives the man food and shelter.

Who is Athena in the Odyssey?

She often appears in disguise as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus.

Where did Nausicaa discover Odysseus?

The beautiful daughter of King Alcinous and Queen Arete of the Phaeacians. Nausicaa discovers Odysseus on the beach at Scheria and, out of budding affection for him, ensures his warm reception at her parents’ palace.

Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?

He despises Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclo ps Polyphemus, and constantly hampers his journey home. Ironically, Poseidon is the patron of the seafaring Phaeacians, who ultimately help to return Odysseus to Ithaca.

What was Helen's role in the Trojan War?

Helen’s abduction from Sparta by the Trojans sparked the Trojan War. Her beauty is without parallel, but she is criticized for giving in to her Trojan captors and thereby costing many Greek men their lives. She offers Telemachus assistance in his quest to find his father.

What book does Athena visit Pylos and Sparta?

His maturation, especially during his trip to Pylos and Sparta in Books 3 and 4, provides a subplot to the epic. Athena often assists him.

What is Eurymachus's personality?

A manipulative, deceitful suitor. Eurymachus’s charisma and duplicity allow him to exert some influence over the other suitors.

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Overview

See also

• The Odyssey

Mythology

As a girl, Eurycleia was bought by Laertes, Odysseus' father. He treated her as his wife, but she was never his consummated lover so as not to dishonor his real wife, Anticleia. She later nursed Telemachus, Odysseus' son.
Eurycleia's name means "broad fame," while Anticleia means "anti-fame." The tension between the meanings of Eurycleia's name and Anticleia's name reflected the tension between the two pillar…

Derivative works

Dennis MacDonald argues in several of his books that the woman who anoints Jesus in chapter 14 of the Gospel of Mark is a reference to Eurycleia. She is the only one to recognize Jesus, and what she has done will be widely known, in the same way that Eurycleia is the only one to recognize Odysseus and whose name means "widely known".

Sources

• Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Stanley Lombardo. Canada: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2000. Print.

External links

• Media related to Euryclea at Wikimedia Commons
• The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

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