As an epic hero, Odysseus displayed self-assurance constantly throughout his return trip home. However, on Circe's island of Aeaea, his confidence is illustrated through his words and actions, and his success is highlighted by his ability to convince the sorceress to return his men from pigs back into soldiers.
The first crew (led by Eurylochus) to scout the island had the unfortunate luck of being lured to her palace by Circe's beautiful singing voice. After calling to her, the...
As an epic hero, Odysseus displayed self-assurance constantly throughout his return trip home. However, on Circe's island of Aeaea, his confidence is illustrated through his words and actions, and his success is highlighted by his ability to convince the sorceress to return his men from pigs back into soldiers.
The first crew (led by Eurylochus) to scout the island had the unfortunate luck of being lured to her palace by Circe's beautiful singing voice. After calling to her, the sorceress appeared to the men and invited them in for food and drink. However, their acceptance of her offer was a grave mistake: "When they had swallowed it, she gave them a tap of her wand at once and herded them into pens; for they now had pigs' heads and grunts and bristles, pigs all over except their minds were the same as before," (Book X).
When Odysseus received word of these events, (from Eurylochus who stayed back from the palace fearing a trap) he immediately knew what he had to do, "at once, I slung my sword over my shoulders, the large one, bronze with silver knobs, and the bow with it, and told [Eurylochus] to go back with me and show me the way," (Book X). However, Eurylochus refused because he feared for his own and his master's life.
Odysseus never backed down, and his confidence as a leader dictated his responsibility and supported his bravery and self-assuredness. He drove on, allowing Eurylochus to stay behind, "...you may stay here in this place...but as for me, go I must, and go I will," (Book X).
As he enters the vicinity of Circe's palace, Odysseus was worried for his own men (and the lives of those surrounding him in the bodies of animals), but he rose to the occasion, thanks in part to the advice of Hermes whom he'd met along his way there. Upon accepting her hospitality, Odysseus rushed at Circe with his sword and leapt at her as if to kill her. Circe immediately cowered to Odysseus's demand that she swear a solemn oath not to cause him or his men any more harm. "She swore the oath at once; and when she had sworn the oath fully and fairly, I entered the bed of Circe," (Book X).
Thus, Odysseus succeeds in having his men returned to soldiers. A less confident man may have cut his losses and sailed away from the island at once.
No comments:
Post a Comment