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Eurycleia Washes Odysseus' Feet
In your judgment, who is the BIGGEST obstacle to Odysseus' journey home?
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Odysseus Blinding Polyphemus
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Followers
Telemachus and Penelope
Music is often times a large part of any civilization. It is no coincidence that Odysseus’s adventures were put into songs. Songs are easy to remember and can get stuck in your head much easier than stories or facts can. Music most likely plays a large part in Homer’s universe since it plays a large part in all universes. During the time when Homer actually wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey, Greece was going through the Greek Dark Ages. Previously, they had thriving culture arts and a booming economy. In a way, Homer was not only writing an epic, he was also feeling nostalgia, and a want for the way that things were when music prospered. From the bard that made Telemachus cry at his court, to the beautiful music that the Sirens sing and entrance with, music is a bewitching and a common thing. Singing is also one of the things that harmoniously combine nostos and kleos. While singing doesn’t provide kleos to the singer, it provides kleos to, for example, Odysseus based on the fact that many songs heard thus far were about him and the Trojan War. Singing can also provide nostos to anyone and everyone, seeing as how they usually sing about things in the past. So all in all, Homer has nostos for music, and you can see the want for it through his writing.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that in the Odyssey music has a powerful role. One of the examples is with Telemachus and Penelope in the beginning of the book (book 1). The bard sings of the man of twists and turns just as Penelope comes down from her room. The reaction was that she cries and yells at the bard as he sings of her lost husband. It states in the book about Penelope, “Suddenly dissolving in tears and bursting through the bard’s inspired voice, she cried out…”(88). It is clear that this song, this music was so powerful as to make Penelope burst out into tears. One might argue that even if someone was talking about Odysseus and his return home to Troy Penelope would still burst into tears. However, this is not true because, as stated in the previous quote, she dissolved into tears because of the bard’s inspired voice. So this shows that it was the actual music that was powerful.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of the power of music is with Odysseus in the land of the Phaeacians. It is the bard in Book 8 that leads the story of Odysseus. As stated in the Odyssey, “That was the song the famous harper sang but great Odysseus melted in tears, running down from his eyes to his wet cheeks…” (208). The bard’s music has the same effect on Odysseus as it does on Penelope. If it wasn’t for this bard’s powerful music, Odysseus might not have told his full story to them.
Thus far in our reading of Homer's beautifully written epic, The Odyssey, we have seen numerous instances in which music, song and singing have effected the situation, scene or character's emotions. Based on these events throughout the epic, we can infer that music plays a powerful and greatly influential role in Homer's universe. Some of the examples we have seen this power include, when Odysseus hears the bards singing of the great battle at Troy in which he took part in, and when the sirens sing out to Odysseus, who is tied to the mast, calling out to him with their beautiful, intoxicating, seductive voices, and luring him in by complimenting Odysseus, telling him how famous and great he is. With these two instances, music both brings back memories of events and also honors someone, giving them kleos. This caused Odysseus to start crying, remembering such horrible times, and to want to go to the sirens and listen further, soaking in their praise with their immortal voices. As for how the bards are treated ,and also the sirens, they are all very respected in The Odyssey, and in high status in society because of their talents. Music is cherished in Homer's universe and has the power to consume character's and change their thinking and emotional state.
ReplyDeleteMusic in the Odessey is both powerful and sorrowful. The music that is played over and over again by various bards, continually brings out tears of those who hear it and can relate to it. The song sung by the bards is about the battle of Troy, and the reactions that some characters have had when hearing the song shows us just how important the battle of Troy was to the characters, and how powerful the music is.
ReplyDeleteSo far Odysseus and his family have been affected the most by sad music of the battle of Troy. Odysseus, Telemachus, and Penelope have all heard the song and have all cried as a result. The instances when Telemachus and Penelope cried show that the pain of the battle of Troy through music not only affects the ones who fought but also the ones affected by losing thier loved ones. Through music, the battle of Troy seems to be re-lived through the eyes of many and the pain is wide-spread throughout the land. Music in the Odyssey mainly reflects on pain and suffering as through the music of the bards the battle of Troy is re-lived through the eyes of those who fought, and through the lives of those who lost one dear to them.
In the Odyssey music plays a large role. Alongside of that, the bars that play that music are highly respected and looked upon. In the odyssey there are many examples of how big of a role music has in the epic. A very good example and probably the most prominent example of music’s role in the odyssey is while Odysseus is on the land of the phaecians and has the bard play songs for him. First off that music was almost offered to him as a present because it was supposed to be extremely beautiful. Everybody, out of all of the lords and nobles at the table, everyone, respected the blind bard. The peoples constantly compliment the bard saying his singing rivals that of the gods, etc. Now another reason for why music was so important to the Homeric peoples was because it was one of few sweet and hopeful things to hang on to in the dark ages. This is because at that time, Greece was indeed in the dark ages. The city states were now separate and developed their own cultures and independence. With so much fighting and war the people needed something sweet and relaxing. Music was one of those sweet things that the people could still hold onto. These are some of the reasons for why I believe that music was so important no only to Odysseus and the phaecians, but to all of Greece during their darkest times.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the Odyssey, thus far, it seems as though music was a crucial way to communicate with everyone, and ensure that one would be famous. The first time we learn the importance of music is through the bard. No matter where Telemachus or Odysseus travels, all of the kings have their own bard who shares stories through song. We also learn that like Homer, many bards were blind. This was important to ensure that the bards did not run away with untold stories that would not be passed down and continued. This proves that kings would go to extreme measures to ensure that the society never lost its music.
ReplyDeleteIn the Odyssey, many people are very concerned with fame and the bards help to ensure that people are famous by sharing their stories. In book eight, Odysseus is in the land of Phaeacia. Like the other kings, Alcinous has a bard who tells Odysseus three stories. The bard tells Odysseus the story of Aphrodite and Ares, the story of the Trojan Horse, and the story of Odysseus and Achilles. Odysseus asks the bard to tell the story of the Trojan horse, so that when he tells the people of Phaeacia his name, they will look up to him and respect him. He also asks for the song to ensure that even after his death, his story and name will live on. After hearing these stories, Odysseus begins to cry, proving that song is one way to reach a person emotionally. Bards were a very important part of life in early Greece because without the bards there would have been no songs or stories, and without the songs, there would have been no fame.
I would like to agree with Aubrey on this; music plays a large part in society. Music is a way that people are able to spread their emotions in a more creative way. Also, by the music one listens to you can tell exactly how they are and what are their likes and dislikes. Music starts to play a good part in Odysseus' journey home when he reaches the Sirens. The only reasons that the Sirens are tough to get by because they have beautiful music. The Sirens’ music is so lovely that none are able to avoid it. After the Sirens lure the travelers to the inner area of their island they let the people listen for a while, but soon after the Sirens slaughter them. Referring back to the present, most people prefer one or more types of music but some types don’t thrill them. It is just the opposite in the case of the Sirens because they lure everyone to their island; no one dislikes their music. It is impossible to not be thrilled by the sweet sounds of the Sirens. According to the Odyssey, Odysseus is the only person to ever resist the sugary songs of the Sirens. There is a catch, only because Odysseus cheated was he able to stand firm against the Sirens lovely music. Odysseus had his crewmen tie him to a tree so he wasn’t able to go toward the Sirens slaughtering house. Throughout history Odysseus seems the one and only man to complete this task. This represents the part music plays in the Odyssey, though only one example it shows how important music can be in any society.
ReplyDeleteWhile I wouldn't consider music with a lyre or flute "funky," I think it plays essentially the same role as funk, or any other type of modern music does today. Songs today represent important stories that we may not be able to communicate face to face, or just want it to be passed on to future gnerations. Other songs are only sensational, played to put people in a certain mood. The odyssey is no different. It appears that both the stories of Odysseus and Achilles are hard stories to tell straight, without any glorification or melody. In song version, the stories are still powerful, bringing Odysseus to tears, and are important legacies. The other song, about ares and aphrodite, is a whimsical love song.
ReplyDeleteBoth types of songs are very similar to those today, and are vital to the culture. What songs mean to homer are basically what songs mean to us.
Music played many roles. First and most obvious is entertainment. Bards are often called upon after feasts to sing. Another role of music is to spread stories throughout Greece. If a story is important, than music is often used to pass it down through generations, like the story of Ares and Aphrodite, or the story of the Trojan horse, both in book 8. When music is used, and not just words, a story will stay in a person's mind longer because they will associate the tune with the story.
ReplyDeleteSo far in the epic we've seen many bards- Phemius and Demodocus, and Medon the herald. Phemius and Medon are both found with the suitors, and are effectively expected to play for the suitors. In book one, line 179, it says "they forced the man to sing," referring to the suitors forcing Phemius. It seems like the suitors didn't value bards very highly, they just consider them a vessel to play music. And the bards themselves don't seem to like the suitors very much either. Medon overhears the suitors planning to kill Telemachus and alerts Penelope in book 16, line 457: "The herald Medon told her-- he'd overheard their schemes."
Demodocus has a different relationship with those he plays for. He isn't forced to play, at least if he is it isn't mentioned. This may be because he is more skilled, because he is blind, or because the Phaecians value music more that the suitors. I suspect that it's the third. He is still expected to play, but he isn't forced.
It seems that different groups valued bards and music differently. The suitors don't seem to care, they just want music. The Phaecians and others seem to respect it more. Although in all, I think that the main role of music is just entertainment. Every or almost every time that we see a bard performing, it is after a feast for enjoyment or celebratory purposes. I doubt that there is any hidden purpose behind this; I think that the Greeks just liked music.
Bards in the Odyssey are treated with a huge deal of respect. In reading Claire's comment, I strongly agree that having your name or story in a song, insures your fame. For example, when the bard sings about Odysseus. It proves his influence and fame over many lands. I think that the role of music in Homer's universe is a way of communication. The bards are treated almost like royalty, and portrayed as people with great skill. We probably have seen the bard most in the story in which Odysseus is with King Alcinous. Here, strong, tricky, worldly, thoughtful, smart, cunning, endearing, King Odysseus is brought to tears. This shows the power of music and the effects that is can have.
ReplyDeleteI believe that music is not only a way of communication, but another form of storytelling. I believe that bards and music also serve as a source of entertainment, and a way to exhibit, or test the extent of one's influence and power. I think that storytelling, entertainment, and portrayal of influence are very significant roles of music that we see in Homer's Universe.
In my opinion music has a very influential and powerful role in Homer's writing. Music is used as a way of storytelling and even as a way to control people. An example of this is when the sirens sing to Odysseus and his crew and the beautiful singing takes control of Odysseus' mind. Singing is also powerful in the sense that it can convey information and record history. Music can be used to commemorate past events and peoples. An example of this is when The bard sings about the battles at Troy.
ReplyDeleteIn the Odyssey, music plays an essential role in entertainment and seduction. One common musical character is a bard. Bards are poets who compose songs which tell tales of the legendary journeys of noble men. Bards appear to be highly respected and splendid entertainers. In each Greek kingdom bards are associated with the king as his best form of entertainment. Music is also used as a form of seduction. Calypso uses her voice to spellbind others. She is able to hold Odysseus captive on her island with her lovely hypnotizing voice. The Sirens also use music to try and seduce men to come to their island. Music's frequent appearance in the Odyssey exemplifies how important it was to Homers civilization. The story of the Odyssey is believed to have been initially sung and later written as a story. The common theme of music, in the Odyssey, can be attributed to the fact that Homer was believed to have been a bard himself. Although there is scarce information to support Homers original production of the story, the significant amount of music or lyrical poets suggests that music was a vital piece of Homers culture.
ReplyDeleteMusic has the power to influence a person in a positive or negative way throughout the Odyssey. Such is shown with the bards and the Sirens that show up in the epic. The bards sing a song about their miserable life, each one making the listener cry and pity the sad stories. On the other hand, the Sirens sing a song to fill the listener with a euphoria that forces them to come onto their island and evidentially staying there forever because of the Sirens’ beautiful songs.
ReplyDeleteDuring Book 22, Odysseus and Telemachus decide that it is time to slaughter the suitors who have been in the castle too long. One of the men who is about to be killed pleads for his life. This man is a bard because he claims that the suitors forced him to come into the castle and is spared. Does Odysseus do this because of his memory of the man's music, or because of the bards pleas? There is a good chance that the bard's music had an effect on Odysseus, as no one else was spared during the slaughtering.
Music can influence and inspire one's actions and thoughts. Even today, music of the previous generation inspires the next. A song can influence one to feel happy or sad, depending on the singer's tone throughout the song. Written over 2000 years ago, the Odyssey shows us how long music has played a role in people's lives. Music has, and always will be, a fundamental necessity and controlling factor of society.
Considering the many references to music and song as a part of story telling, one could infer that music was a good way for Homer to express not only feelings, but also stories of events that have taken place throughout peoples lives. For example, when the bard is telling Odysseus stories about Achilles, Aphrodite and Aries, and Trojan Horse, these songs truly reflect onto Odysseus. The reason that they reflect is that he can relate to the songs, specifically the ones about the Trojan horse and Achilles. But the songs show that in Homer's universe, song was a way to tell stories and it gave a good sense of emotion and feeling to the story. Music is always a significant part of societies because it is a special way of communicating with one another. And that is the same for Homer, except homer seems to take it to the next level. He seems to express stories and lively hood through the music. In expressing these stories through music, it makes Homer seem like a bard as well. It makes him seem like its something he enjoys to do. Telling stories and he is a bard by explaining everything through song. Music seems like a very important part of Greek civilization and clearly something Homer found very rewarding and important.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the Odyssey there are bards that play music. SOme bards are well-known and liked while others aren't. The music played by bards occurs when Odysseus and Penelope are rejoicing his return inside where they live. Homer probably involves music in this epic poem because music tends to take anything gloomy and make it a little more happier. Also people tend to remember words of song over words in a book.
ReplyDeleteIn the Odyssey, music plays a large role in the story. As we discussed in class, the bard actually tells a story in their songs. As the bard of Menelaus, he actually told the story of the Odyssey, in the Odyssey. This is very interesting due to the fact that it is very rare to see any story told within the actual story. Also in the story repetition is shown. The story that was told by the bard is actually repeated later on in the story. What does this mean? This just shows how in the days without writing, when stories were passed down from generation to generation, the story were easier to remember. Also I believe that the stories were repeated to emphasize a point, such as making an important point. The important point which the bard of Menelaus makes is Odysseus’ story.
ReplyDeleteAnother example that can be made is the bard of Arete and Alcinous. This bard tells the story of the Trojan horse. This immediately brings Odysseus to tears, because he remembers the sorrow that was brought in that situation. This could be said that the music was very powerful, since it made Odysseus, one of the most mentally strong people in the world, go to tears.