CC108 Myth and Religion CC108 Myth and Religion Manhood and Heroism, Lecture 8: Rebirth Manhood and Heroism, Lecture 8: Rebirth

and Renewaland Renewal

1. Why is there a snake in this picture?1. Why is there a snake in this picture?

2. Shedding its skin2. Shedding its skin When winter comes, the terrible snake lies clothed…speckled along the When winter comes, the terrible snake lies clothed…speckled along the

back…But the darts of Zeus overcome it when it is wild and violent….The back…But the darts of Zeus overcome it when it is wild and violent….The soul alone remains…around the chamber that it has burrowed for itself…a soul alone remains…around the chamber that it has burrowed for itself…a little time under the earth…little time under the earth…

(Hesiodic (Hesiodic Catalogue of WomenCatalogue of Women, fr. 204.137 ff. Merkelbach-West), fr. 204.137 ff. Merkelbach-West)

3. Nestor on the 3. Nestor on the nostos nostos problemproblem

““But when we sacked Priam’s high city we But when we sacked Priam’s high city we stepped onto our ships, and a/the god (stepped onto our ships, and a/the god (theostheos) ) scattered the Greek fleet. When they sailed Zeus scattered the Greek fleet. When they sailed Zeus was planning in his mind a miserable was planning in his mind a miserable homecoming for the Argives, because they had homecoming for the Argives, because they had not all been proper in mind (not all been proper in mind (noemonesnoemones, from , from noosnoos) or practiced justice. And so many of them ) or practiced justice. And so many of them met an evil death, from the vengeful anger of the met an evil death, from the vengeful anger of the bright-eyed goddess of a mighty father…But I bright-eyed goddess of a mighty father…But I myself fled on for home with the whole fleet of myself fled on for home with the whole fleet of ships that had followed with me, because I could ships that had followed with me, because I could see that a divinity (see that a divinity (daimondaimon) was planning ) was planning disaster.” (3.130-5, 165-6)disaster.” (3.130-5, 165-6)

4. 4. **nos-, nes- nos-, nes- “travel home, return to mind/understanding”“travel home, return to mind/understanding”

no-os no-os “mind, thought”“mind, thought”

nostosnostos “the journey home” “the journey home”

ne-esthaine-esthai “to travel home” “to travel home”

Nes-tor Nes-tor “the wise one who gets “the wise one who gets home”home”

[Compare: [Compare: **men- men- “mind, advice” “mind, advice” men-tormen-tor “the one who gives advice, advisor”] “the one who gives advice, advisor”]

5. The journey back to life5. The journey back to life

DEATH AND

NOTHINGNESS

HEROIC LIFE FARMER’S LIFE

5. Odysseus as hero5. Odysseus as hero Spear-famous Odysseus was isolated, nor with him did anySpear-famous Odysseus was isolated, nor with him did any Of the Greeks remain, for panic had seized them all:Of the Greeks remain, for panic had seized them all: Swiftly then he spoke to his own great-hearted spirit:Swiftly then he spoke to his own great-hearted spirit: ‘‘O me, what will happen to me? Great evil if I fleeO me, what will happen to me? Great evil if I flee in terror of the host; but worse if I am takenin terror of the host; but worse if I am taken Alone: Kronos’ son [= Zeus] has terrified the other Greeks.Alone: Kronos’ son [= Zeus] has terrified the other Greeks. But why has my own dear spirit spoken to me thus?But why has my own dear spirit spoken to me thus? I know it is cowards who withdraw from the war,I know it is cowards who withdraw from the war, But the one who is valorous in battle, for him it is vitalBut the one who is valorous in battle, for him it is vital To stand in steadfastness, where he be struck or strike his To stand in steadfastness, where he be struck or strike his

foe.’foe.’

(Homer, (Homer, IliadIliad 11.401ff.) 11.401ff.)

6. Beginning the 6. Beginning the nostosnostos like a warrior like a warrior

Come then, I will tell you the journey Come then, I will tell you the journey ((nostosnostos) of many troubles that Zeus ) of many troubles that Zeus imposed upon me as I went from Troy. The imposed upon me as I went from Troy. The wind that carried me from Ilios [Troy] wind that carried me from Ilios [Troy] brought me to Ismaros, where the Kikones brought me to Ismaros, where the Kikones live. Then I sacked their city and killed the live. Then I sacked their city and killed the men. We took their wives and much booty men. We took their wives and much booty from the city and divided everything among from the city and divided everything among us, so that I should have none of the men us, so that I should have none of the men going without his fair sharegoing without his fair share…(9.37ff.)…(9.37ff.)

7. Blown off course: the real 7. Blown off course: the real nostos nostos begins begins

But then Zeus the cloud-gatherer But then Zeus the cloud-gatherer raised the north wind against our raised the north wind against our ships in a terrible storm, and covered ships in a terrible storm, and covered earth and sea alike in cloud: and night earth and sea alike in cloud: and night rushed from the sky….But [even] then rushed from the sky….But [even] then I would have reached my homeland I would have reached my homeland unharmed, but as I was rounding cape unharmed, but as I was rounding cape Maleia the waves and the current and Maleia the waves and the current and the north wind blew me off my course the north wind blew me off my course and pushed me past Kytheraand pushed me past Kythera. (9.68 ff.). (9.68 ff.)

8. Reduced to nothing but 8. Reduced to nothing but metismetis

““Endure, my heart! You endured worse than this, Endure, my heart! You endured worse than this, on the day when the Cyclops, uncontrollable in on the day when the Cyclops, uncontrollable in fury, devoured your strong companions: you fury, devoured your strong companions: you endured, until your cunning (metis) brought you endured, until your cunning (metis) brought you out of the cave when you had expected that you out of the cave when you had expected that you would diewould die.” (20.18-21).” (20.18-21)

9….which in turn implies loss 9….which in turn implies loss of identityof identity

Ou = mêOu = mê “not” “not” tis tis “somebody, “somebody,

anybody”anybody” ou-tisou-tis “not-someone, “not-someone,

nobody”nobody” mê-tismê-tis “not-someone, “not-someone,

nobody”nobody” mêtis mêtis “cunning, craftiness” “cunning, craftiness”

10. Yet he is still a hero10. Yet he is still a hero

““Cyclops, if any mortal man asks you Cyclops, if any mortal man asks you how your eye suffered such terrible how your eye suffered such terrible blinding, you can tell them that it blinding, you can tell them that it was Odysseus the sacker of cities was Odysseus the sacker of cities who blinded you, the son of Laertes, who blinded you, the son of Laertes, whose home is in Ithaca.” whose home is in Ithaca.” (9.502 ff.)(9.502 ff.)

11. Hades: literally a descent 11. Hades: literally a descent into deathinto death

And she [Kirke], bright one of And she [Kirke], bright one of goddesses, stood in the midst of us goddesses, stood in the midst of us and spoke: “You are terrible men, and spoke: “You are terrible men, who have gone living into the house who have gone living into the house of Hades – you have died twice, yet of Hades – you have died twice, yet other men die only onceother men die only once. (12.20ff.). (12.20ff.)

12. Knowledge from the 12. Knowledge from the deaddead

““Speak not to me of death, glorious Speak not to me of death, glorious Odysseus! I had rather live on earth Odysseus! I had rather live on earth and be a hired labourer for another and be a hired labourer for another man, for a small farmer without man, for a small farmer without much livelihood, than be lord over all much livelihood, than be lord over all these dead corpses.”these dead corpses.” (11.488-91) (11.488-91)

13. Calypso: another pattern 13. Calypso: another pattern diverteddiverted

But Hermes did not find great-But Hermes did not find great-hearted Odysseus inside. He sat hearted Odysseus inside. He sat weeping on the shore, as he had weeping on the shore, as he had done before, rending his spirit with done before, rending his spirit with with tears and groans and miseries, with tears and groans and miseries, as he looked out over the murmuring as he looked out over the murmuring sea, shedding tearssea, shedding tears. (5.81 ff.). (5.81 ff.)

14. Naked in the waves 14. Naked in the waves The raft was carried this way and that along the flow of the The raft was carried this way and that along the flow of the

great waves. As the north wind in summer carries dry great waves. As the north wind in summer carries dry thistles along the plain, and they stick to each other in thick thistles along the plain, and they stick to each other in thick clumps, so the winds carried the raft this way and that over clumps, so the winds carried the raft this way and that over the sea. Now the south wind would toss it to the north wind the sea. Now the south wind would toss it to the north wind to drive, and now again the east wind would yield pursuit to to drive, and now again the east wind would yield pursuit to the westthe west. (5.326 ff.). (5.326 ff.)

15. The immortal shawl: a 15. The immortal shawl: a shaman-like moment? shaman-like moment?

Leukothea took pity on Odysseus adrift and in distress. She Leukothea took pity on Odysseus adrift and in distress. She flew up from the water like a gull, sat on the raft, and spoke flew up from the water like a gull, sat on the raft, and spoke to him: “Poor man, why has Poseidon the Earthshaker felt to him: “Poor man, why has Poseidon the Earthshaker felt such violent anger against you…? Here, take this shawl and such violent anger against you…? Here, take this shawl and tie it under your chest: it is immortal, and with it you need tie it under your chest: it is immortal, and with it you need have no fear of harm or destructionhave no fear of harm or destruction…” (5.333 ff.)…” (5.333 ff.)

16. Sees the land16. Sees the land Like when a father’s life (Like when a father’s life (biotosbiotos) is revealed joyful to his children, ) is revealed joyful to his children,

a father who lies in sickness suffering fierce pains, wasting away a father who lies in sickness suffering fierce pains, wasting away for a long time, and some hateful spirit (for a long time, and some hateful spirit (stugeros daimonstugeros daimon) has ) has been attacking him, and then the gods release him in joy from this been attacking him, and then the gods release him in joy from this evil – so the land and the wood appeared in delight to Odysseus, evil – so the land and the wood appeared in delight to Odysseus, and he swam on swiftly to reach the ground with his feet. (5.394 and he swam on swiftly to reach the ground with his feet. (5.394 ff.)ff.)

17. Like an octopus17. Like an octopus As he was swept up to a rock he took hold of it with both his As he was swept up to a rock he took hold of it with both his

hands, and clung there groaning until the great wave had passed hands, and clung there groaning until the great wave had passed over him. So far he had escaped, but the wave struck him again over him. So far he had escaped, but the wave struck him again on its rapid backwash, and flung him far out to sea. As when an on its rapid backwash, and flung him far out to sea. As when an octopus is dragged out of its bed-chamber and the pebbles cling octopus is dragged out of its bed-chamber and the pebbles cling thick on its suckers, so the skin was stripped from Odysseus’ thick on its suckers, so the skin was stripped from Odysseus’ brave hands and left clinging on the rocks: and the great wave brave hands and left clinging on the rocks: and the great wave covered him overcovered him over. (5.428 ff.). (5.428 ff.)

18. Why an octopus?18. Why an octopus?

My heart, twist a many-hued My heart, twist a many-hued personality (poikilon ethos) among all personality (poikilon ethos) among all your friends, mixing it with the temper your friends, mixing it with the temper that each of them holds. Adopt the that each of them holds. Adopt the temper of the many-twisted octopus, temper of the many-twisted octopus, that seems to make itself resemble the that seems to make itself resemble the rock to which it clings. Follow now in rock to which it clings. Follow now in this way, then become different in this way, then become different in colour. Cleverness turns out to be colour. Cleverness turns out to be stronger than inflexibilitystronger than inflexibility. (Theognis . (Theognis 213-18)213-18)

19. Returning to life19. Returning to life

Like when a man buries a burning log Like when a man buries a burning log under dark ashes, on his farm far out under dark ashes, on his farm far out in the country, where there are no in the country, where there are no neighbours, keeping alive the spark neighbours, keeping alive the spark of fire so he need not kindle it from of fire so he need not kindle it from elsewhere: so Odysseus covered elsewhere: so Odysseus covered himself in leaves.himself in leaves. (5.488-92) (5.488-92)

20. Loses his name…and 20. Loses his name…and finds itfinds it

Alkinoos] Tell me your name, what you were Alkinoos] Tell me your name, what you were called in your own country by your mother and called in your own country by your mother and father, the townspeople and neighbours. From father, the townspeople and neighbours. From the moment of his birth no man is ever left the moment of his birth no man is ever left nameless…And telll me why you weep and feel nameless…And telll me why you weep and feel sorrow in your heart when you hear the story of sorrow in your heart when you hear the story of the fate that befell the Argives and Troy…Did the fate that befell the Argives and Troy…Did perhaps some brave kinsman of yours lose his life perhaps some brave kinsman of yours lose his life at Troy, a brother-in-law or a father-in-law? Or at Troy, a brother-in-law or a father-in-law? Or perhaps it was a friend, a brave man after your perhaps it was a friend, a brave man after your own heart? (8.550 ff.)own heart? (8.550 ff.)

Odysseus] I am Odysseus son of Laertes, who am Odysseus] I am Odysseus son of Laertes, who am a concern to men for all kinds of cunning (pasi a concern to men for all kinds of cunning (pasi doloisi), and my fame (kleos) reaches the broad doloisi), and my fame (kleos) reaches the broad heaven. (9.19-20)heaven. (9.19-20)

21. Nausikaa gave him life21. Nausikaa gave him life

She gazed at Odysseus in She gazed at Odysseus in admiration, and spoke to him winged admiration, and spoke to him winged words: “Farewell, stranger. When you words: “Farewell, stranger. When you are in your own country you can are in your own country you can think of me sometimes, and think of me sometimes, and remember how the debt you owe me remember how the debt you owe me for saving your life.”for saving your life.” (8.457ff.) (8.457ff.)

22. Longing for home – like a 22. Longing for home – like a ploughmanploughman

But Odysseus often turned his head towards But Odysseus often turned his head towards the shining sun, long for it to go down: for the shining sun, long for it to go down: for he was eager to travel home (he was eager to travel home (neesthaineesthai). ). Like a man longs for his dinner, when his Like a man longs for his dinner, when his pair of wine-faced oxen have dragged the pair of wine-faced oxen have dragged the bladed plough all day long: the light of the bladed plough all day long: the light of the sun sinks down joyously for him so he can sun sinks down joyously for him so he can go for his tea, and his knees are weak under go for his tea, and his knees are weak under him as he goes – so for Odysseus the light him as he goes – so for Odysseus the light of the sun sank down to his joy (of the sun sank down to his joy (aspastonaspaston). ). (13.30-37)(13.30-37)

22. The wisdom of the farm 22. The wisdom of the farm workerworker

23. The wisdom of the 23. The wisdom of the beggarmanbeggarman

Therefore I will tell you: take heed and listen to me: Therefore I will tell you: take heed and listen to me: the earth nourishes nothing more feeble than the earth nourishes nothing more feeble than mankind, of all that breathes and creeps about on the mankind, of all that breathes and creeps about on the earth. For a man never expects to suffer evil in future, earth. For a man never expects to suffer evil in future, as long as the gods give him prowess and he can as long as the gods give him prowess and he can move his limbs. But when the gods bring misery to move his limbs. But when the gods bring misery to fulfillment, this too in degradation he must bear in his fulfillment, this too in degradation he must bear in his suffering heart. Men who dwell on the earth have suffering heart. Men who dwell on the earth have nothing more to expect than whatever Zeus will bring nothing more to expect than whatever Zeus will bring on them from day to day. I too had the prospect of on them from day to day. I too had the prospect of secure prosperity among men, and I did many foolish secure prosperity among men, and I did many foolish things, indulging in force and violence, trusting in my things, indulging in force and violence, trusting in my father and my brothers. Therefore no man should be father and my brothers. Therefore no man should be entirely without regard for divine law, but he should entirely without regard for divine law, but he should bear the gods’ gifts in silence, whatever they give. bear the gods’ gifts in silence, whatever they give. (18.129-42)(18.129-42)

24. Triumph and 24. Triumph and reintegrationreintegration

25. A rejection of the heroic 25. A rejection of the heroic ideal?ideal?

26. Heroic traditions 26. Heroic traditions throughout history: the case of throughout history: the case of

the Wild Westthe Wild West

The Magnificent Seven The Magnificent Seven (1960)(1960)

The heroes always loseThe heroes always lose Old Man: You could stay, you know. They would not be Old Man: You could stay, you know. They would not be

sorry to have you stay. sorry to have you stay. Chris Adams [Yul Brynner]: They won't be sorry to see us Chris Adams [Yul Brynner]: They won't be sorry to see us

go, either. go, either. Old Man: (nods) The fighting is over. Your work is done. For Old Man: (nods) The fighting is over. Your work is done. For

them, each season has its tasks. If there were a season for them, each season has its tasks. If there were a season for gratitude, they'd show it more. gratitude, they'd show it more.

Vin [Steve McQueen]: We didn't get any more than we Vin [Steve McQueen]: We didn't get any more than we expected, old man. expected, old man.

Old Man: Only the farmers have won. They remain forever. Old Man: Only the farmers have won. They remain forever. They are like the land itself. You helped rid them of Calvera They are like the land itself. You helped rid them of Calvera the way a strong wind helps rid them of locusts. You are the way a strong wind helps rid them of locusts. You are like the wind, blowing across the land and passing on. Vaya like the wind, blowing across the land and passing on. Vaya con Dios. con Dios.

Chris: Adios….Chris: Adios…. …….The old man was right. Only the farmers won. We lost. .The old man was right. Only the farmers won. We lost.

We always lose.We always lose.

Some readingSome reading

A USEFUL ARTICLEA USEFUL ARTICLE

K. Reinhardt, “The adventures in the K. Reinhardt, “The adventures in the OdysseyOdyssey”, in S. Schein (ed.), ”, in S. Schein (ed.), Reading the Reading the OdysseyOdyssey [ a photocopy will be deposited in [ a photocopy will be deposited in the short loan collection this later this the short loan collection this later this week]week]

A TASTE OF NEXT YEAR’S EPIC COURSEA TASTE OF NEXT YEAR’S EPIC COURSE

M. Clarke, “Manhood and heroism”, in R. M. Clarke, “Manhood and heroism”, in R. Fowler (ed.), Fowler (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to The Cambridge Companion to HomerHomer (Cambridge 2002) (Cambridge 2002)