Thursday, December 15, 2016

Was Odysseus too harsh on Eurycleia?

Eurycleia is first first excited and happy when she finds out that the beggar is actually Odysseus, but Odysseus gets a little rough. Odysseus threatened to kill her if she didn't stay quiet about it actually being him, “I’ll tell you this and I swear I’ll do it: If, with heaven’s help, I subdue the suitors, I will not spare you-even if you are my nurse-When I kill the other women in the hall.” (Homer 305). Odysseus is worried that if Eurycleia told someone that the beggar was actually him, his whole plan would be ruined. I think Odysseus could have been a bit harsh, considering that she raised him and was his nurse ever since he was born. I understand what he was thinking because he hadn't been there or seen her for 20 years, but I still think he could've had a little more trust in her. He was just trying to keep his plan a secret and was making sure it was clear no one could find out. He is just trying to be careful with his plan, so I think some people could say he was being way too harsh, but other people would think otherwise.

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