This is an idealized and romantic setting, well suited to serve as the backdrop
for Odysseus’s account of his fabulous adventures. It is in fact his last port of call in
the world of romance before he returns to the realities of Ithaca. Here he is
courteously received by the Phaeacians, to whom he tells the story of his past
wanderings from Troy.
Declaring his identity at the opening of his retrospective narrative, he announces
that he is famous among men for all manner of stratagems (9, 19). The word he uses
here is dolos, denoting wiles, craft, stratagems or cunning. The account of his
adventures reveals him to be the wily and versatile Greek who has been tested in a
wide variety of experiences. In contrast to his companions, who against his warnings
foolishly kill the oxen of Hyperion the sun god, his thirst for adventure is tempered
by the restraining influence of good sense. The tales also enhance his character and
status before he embarks upon his final encounter with the suitors.
The Phaeacians honour him with gifts in admiration for his physical and mental
prowess and convey him to Ithaca in one of their magic ships. He is left alone sleeping
upon the shore. On awakening he fails to recognize his native home. When Athena
appears disguised as a shepherd, he invents the first of several Cretan tales to keep
his identity secret, in which he says he is on the run after a homicide, a realistic tale
very different in character from the folk tales involving the Cyclops and Circe, which
we have previously heard. In the stratagem of the tale, revealing Odysseus’ habitual
inventiveness, caution and craft, the hero shows himself worthy of the attention of
the goddess, who is amused by it, feeling a natural affinity with one who is epetes,
variously rendered as ‘of soft or fluent speech’, ‘sociable’ or ‘civilized’, angkinoos, of
quick understanding and echephron, self-possessed, controlled and prudent (13, 332).
These are the qualities of mind and intelligence by virtue of which Odysseus is
favoured by the goddess and succeeds in the supreme stratagem whereby he regains
the mastery of his own house.
Athena initiates the plan by which Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, will find out
for himself what is happening in Ithaca and take advantage of any opportunity that
comes his way. To this end he uses the disguise to test loyalties and only reveals
himself to those whose aid is necessary. He first visits the hut of his faithful steward
Eumaeus, who offers him generous hospitality. Their encounter is full of poignant
ironies, not least when Eumaeus believes the Cretan tale told by the stranger but not
his oath that Odysseus is shortly to return. Here he encounters Telemachus who on
his return from Sparta has just evaded the ambush laid for him by the suitors. Then
comes the first of several recognition scenes in which Odysseus reveals himself to
his son. Together they plot the suitors’ downfall and set off separately for the palace.
In the insulting behaviour of the suitors Odysseus experiences their iniquities at
first hand and sees the sufferings endured by his household, in particular those of his
loyal wife Penelope, who welcomes him generously without knowing who he is and
24 THE GREEKS