Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I know you now.

"What pains-the gods have given me my share.
Now let me begin by telling you my name...
so you may know it well and I in times to come,
if I can escape the fatal day, will be your host,
your sworn friend, though my home is far from here.
I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world
for every kind of craft-my fame has reached the skies
."
~Odysseus
Book 9, page 212, line 16-22


In this passage we have Odysseus, our hero, identifying himself to the Phaeacians and beginning to tell his story to them. He tells us that he has suffered, as all true heroes do, and that he will prevail until he arrives on his native land again. Knowing of his fame, he tells us that he is the one people speak of; he is a hero. He is cabable and skilled, he has suffered and prospered, he has gotten to where he is now because he has perservered. The theme of "unveiling" and "identification" is evident knowing that the Phaeacian people do not know who he is and do not recognise him. The identification of our hero in this passage declares an under layer of truth and wisdom from Odysseus.

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