who is eurycleia in the odyssey

What is the role of Eurycleia in the Odyssey?

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. She keeps Telemachus's journey secret from Penelope, and she later keeps Odysseus's identity a secret after she recognizes a scar on his leg.

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.

How did Eurycleia end up joining the family?

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.

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 does Eurycleia do without Odysseus?

Without Odysseus During this time, Eurycleia tries to do her part on behalf of the family she's served for her entire adult life. She nurses Telemachus, Odysseus' son, and helps raise him.

Who bought Eurycleia as a slave?

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.

Why does Odysseus get angry?

He explains that he built their bedroom around an ancient olive tree, and used the top of the tree to make their bedpost. He is angry because he believes Penelope must have replaced this bed with a movable one.

Why does Athena light the room for them?

Athena lights the room for them so that they can see as they work. Telemachus tells Eurycleia that they are storing the arms to keep them from being damaged. After they have safely disposed of the arms, Telemachus retires and Odysseus is joined by Penelope.

What is Penelope's reaction to the beggar?

Penelope's first reaction is to test the beggar to see if he can remember what Odysseus wore and with whom he traveled. Just after Penelope makes her remark, the beggar goes on to describe his knowledge of Odysseus' travels and he again assures her that Odysseus will return.

Why is Telemachus considered a hero?

Telemachus is the hero because he sacrifices his safety to achieve his goal given to him by Athena. He helps eliminate the suitors and helps his father return home. Telemachus approaches the inmost cave when he and his father are prepare to kill the suitors.

Why is Odysseus considered an epic hero?

Odysseus is considered an epic hero for his role as King of Ithaca, his participation in the war, and his journey home. A hero has some type of superhuman ability, such as intelligence, physical strength, or bravery: Odysseus was known for his ability to think himself out of tough situations.

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 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) Later Homer says: “and Telemachus obeyed his dear father, and smote at the door, and spake to the nurse Eurycleia: ‘Up now, ...

What was Eurycleia's impact on Greek art?

Eurycleia and Her Impact on Greek Art and Culture. Eurycleia was the nurse both of Odysseus and his son Telemachus. Homer says of her: “…with him went trusty Eurycleia, and bare for him torches burning. She was the daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor, and Laertes bought her on a time with his wealth, while as yet she was in her first youth, ...

Was Eurycleia a slave?

A number of conclusions can be drawn from this passage: Eurycleia was a very valuable slave. She received honor and respect in the house of Laertes. She was very loyal to the family of Laertes. Anticlea, the wife of Laertes, was a fearsome woman. Slavery was a fact in those days, even in Athens.

Is Odysseus dependent on loyal servants?

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.

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.

Overview

See also

• The Odyssey

Mythology

Derivative works

Sources

External links