Emily Wilson intro
You gotta love it how Wilson tries to persuade us that Odysseus is an unreliable narrator (she makes it very clear when she randomly adds the title "lord of lies" to the 9th rhapsody out of thin air to sweeten the deal) but ironically this passage shows me exactly why Odysseus is not an unreliable narrator, at least in my opinion
He could have said that the Cyclops was abusing his animals and leave them out to waste. He didn't
He could have said he built nothing. On the contrary he says how the things Polyphemus built gave him the benefit of doubt enough so that he did not allow his men steal him blind
He could have said that Polyphemus has no feelings at all. He doesn't
He could have said no one came to Polyphemus assistance (even if they didn't really come to his assistance 100% unlike what Wilson says yes they arrived when he called for help but didn't sit around in his distress. Once they heard "nobody" hurt him they said "well suck it up then and be quiet" instead of coming in to heal him or help him out with his animals the next morning)
He could have said that he never did nothing wrong. He didn't
So...I am sorry how does that make him unreliable narrator? In fact Odysseus seems to address himself more evil than Polyphemus to the second half (If you remember I had made an analysis about it in the past -please forgive my translation mistakes!-) and he even explains to his public how much in pain Polyphemus was and how much he was enjoying his pain
Of course that could also be seen as a triumph to his listeners but still Odysseus hides nothing from them which makes it the total opposite of unreliable narrator
I'm sorry Emily but....what?! He makes no moral implications!? The narrative is not given you that morality doesn't guarantee you a better life?! I am sorry what!?
I guess the piousness to the gods then (ὃς περὶ μὲν νόον ἐστὶ βροτῶν, περὶ δ᾽ ἱρὰ θεοῖσιν ἀθανάτοισιν ἔδωκε, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν; = the one among the mortals who has offered more sacrifices to the immortals than dwell the sky) is no longer a moral implication in the story?! The honoring of Xenia, helping those in need that beg for their food, not being boastful, trying your best to save those you can save...do what you can to erase your mistake. Gee I guess there is absolutely no moral implications to the behavior of humans that can give them a better life. Nah is all about the gods giving favor to those they like...
I am sorry but....what? Odysseus is...more sensible?! Huh?... "lying self interested sacker of cities"!?
Why doesn't Wilson state that she hates the heroes then? Even if we take this intro as a humorous take, even if we take that as sarcasm even if we use that for any other context it still is to me "tell me you do not understand homeric heroes without understanding homeric heroes"
Also Athena never tried to prove that Odysseus was morally superior than the rest of the heroes because quite frankly that is not her objective? Athena did not say that Odysseus never did nothing wrong and that he doesn't deserve his fate at all. She was implying he has suffered enough. That this punishment doesn't match the crime and that the time has come for him to go home. Odysseus's morality as pious and helpful to others is very much established. Zeus doesn't need to hear it because as he himself said it, he knows it Athena would have no reason NOT to tell Zeus about Odysseus sacking cities. In fact him being a sacker of cities is a good thing for a warrior society. He is a good warrior, he honors Athena the goddess of strategy and he follows the gods during his conquests he did prior to that. None of that is having any issue with Athenas "admitting it"
Also "self centered"...yeah I guess the whole intro of the Odyssey she claims to translate and the part that it says ἀρνύμενος ἥν τε ψυχὴν καὶ νόστον ἑταίρων. "wishing to save himself and assure the return of his men" goes to hell then? Literally the first lines of the Odyssey imply his objective is not self-centered to begin with. Is 100% human. Of course he wants to save himself but he also wants to save his men (νόστον ἑταίρων) like half the Odyssey is revolving around how much Odysseus cared for others and his friends returned that with loyalty and love for him
I am not sure why Wilson wishes to erase that...
















