Slaves

• Slaves

  ×         About 50 maids work at the loom in Odysseus’ palace, same amount on Scherie and there are meat carvers employed for banquets

  ×         Only slaves who play a role in the hero’s nostos are part of the Homeric world

  ×         The purpose of the epic is the kleos of the hero, not the life of the slaves

  ×         Slaves are brought to the house as prisoners of war or victims of pirates’ kidnappings

  ×         As seen with Odysseus’ actions on Ismarus, pillaging; pirates; wars and kidnappings are commonplace in the Homeric world
• Eumaeus

  ®    When Penelope questions the beggars decision to talk to her later in the day, Eumaeus defends him well

  ®    He is proud of his job and is keen to do his best whilst his King is absent

  ®    Although we do not doubt his loyalty, Odysseus leaves it to the last minute to reveal himself to Eumaeus – this could be because Odysseus is overly cautious or because Odysseus views him as unable to conceal his emotions and stick to a strategy
• Eumaeus

  ®    He is the opposite of Melanthius

  ®    He judges Melanthius for managing his herd poorly, showing that he takes his job seriously

  ®    The cruel nature of Melanthius means that we have no sympathy for him when Eumaeus straps him to the plank, but the torture and killing that Eumaeus carries out in Book 23 is rather shocking as it goes against his previous characteristics and demeanour
• Eumaeus

  ®    Homer creates sympathy for Eumeaus by portraying the Suitors’ cruelty towards him in Book 21

  ®    They call him “the miserable swineherd”

  ®    Eumeaus does not play victim however, and he takes pleasure in insulting the Suitors in retaliation: he tells Antinous that although he may be nobly born, there is nothing noble in his speech

  ®    He shows courage and loyalty when he hands the bow to Odysseus, and ignores the taunts of the Suitors
• Loyal Slaves- Eurycleia

  Epithet: “faithful” “sensible” “shrewd” “devoted”

  ®    She is introduced by Homer with a patronymic and is described as “faithful”, which immediately sets her apart from other servants

  ®    She is referred to as the “nurse” even though she hasn’t catered for children since Telemachus was a child – her retaining this title elevates her above being a mere maid

  ®    She was Odysseus’ wet-nurse and it was she who first held Telemachus before he was set in Laertes’ lap

  ®    She is loyal and affectionate – she is the first to greet Telemachus upon his return
• Eurycleia

  ®    Odysseus as the beggar asks Penelope for an “old and trusty woman” to wash his feet and she offers Eurycleia as she is an old woman of “the greatest discretion”

  ®    Her discretion is tested immediately when she sees the scar and recognises Odysseus

  ®    In her shock, she drops his foot in the bowl and she cries out
• Melanthius and Melantho

  ®    Melantho is one of the disloyal maids and she is the mistress of Eurymachus

  ®    She insults the beggar and taunts him

  ®    Her behaviour is particularly treacherous and insulting as Penelope raised her as her own child