• Home Page
  • The Character Of Melantho In Homer's Odyssey

The Character Of Melantho In Homer's Odyssey

Improved Essays
Show More
While Odysseus was struggling to return to his homeland, many of the maids in his palace were not anticipating his arrival back home and became disloyal and harming, but many maids remained loyal and helped men in the process, . With Odysseus gone, Odysseus’’s once-loyal maid Melantho harms Odysseus and the suitors through her disloyalty. When Melantho first caught sight of the old beggar roaming in the palace, she “mocked him shamelessly” even though Penelope has “treated [Melantho] as a child and gave her...cheer for her heart” (18:364-367). Even with the love and care provided by Penelope, Melantho seems to disregard that and act in hospitable ways while in Odysseus palace. As Odysseus remained in the palace, Melantho taunted ¨cock of the walk, did someone beat your brains out...¨ (18:370). …show more content…
By setting fuel to Odysseus's fire, Melantho was indirectly killing many of the suitors who were men. In contrast, Odysseus´s caring and intelligent nurse Eurycleia offers her assistance to Odysseus and the old beggar while back in Ithaca.

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The Consequences Of Punishment In Homer's The Odyssey
    • 1140 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Consequences Of Punishment In Homer's The Odyssey

    During Odysseus absence, the suitors spent three to four years attempting to pursue Odysseus's wife, Penelope. They ate his cattle, drank his wine, and stayed in his house. While the suitors occupied his house, Odysseus was traveling the sea fighting against the Gods to get home. When Odysseus returned, he tested the loyalty of many of his people…

    • 1140 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Teleemachos Discontent In The Odyssey
    • 49 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Teleemachos Discontent In The Odyssey

    In the first assembly called since the departure of Odysseus, Telemachos expresses his discontent in the behavior of the suitors who have been eating his father’s food and constantly pursuing the courtship of Penelope instead of being a decent man and asking Penelope’s father for her hand in…

    • 49 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Loyalty In 'A Character Analysis: The Odyssey'
    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Loyalty In 'A Character Analysis: The Odyssey'

    Both will attempt to conform as much as possible to please others in their community due to their high rankings, but they also choose what they would like to accomplish. Penelope believes Odysseus is still alive after ten years and continues to be faithful to her husband even when a new suitor is forced upon her. Similarly, Odysseus fights to bring all of his men home because it would hurt his name if he did not, but also because he cared deeply for his crew. Although Penelope and Odysseus demonstrated different acts of loyalty, they were also very similar in the sense of what played into them following through with their…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Character Of Telemakhus In Homer's Odyssey
    • 1049 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Character Of Telemakhus In Homer's Odyssey

    In the aftermath of Odysseus’ departure for the Trojan war and his misfortune at sea, Telemakhus has grown into a young man and Penelope has fallen into depression. Both mother and son have lamented Odysseus’ absence and apparent death for years; to make matters worse, all of Ithaka’s eligible men have flocked to Odysseus’ home to eat his livestock and court his wife. However, the anguish in Telemakhus’ heart is soon addressed by the goddess Athena, who comes in the form of a weary traveler to assure Telemakhus that Oddyseus is not dead. As Athena guides Telemakhus in his confrontations and travels, it becomes apparent that Telemakhus is a brave and intelligent (albeit young and inexperienced) boy.…

    • 1049 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Grief In The Odyssey Analysis
    • 1349 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Grief In The Odyssey Analysis

    The word “grief” shares many similarities to “sadness”, but just as both terms are used to describe a state of unhappiness, to be grieving carries with it connotations of a deeper-rooted pain stemming from the mourning of a loss, or an emotional loyalty to the subject of the grief. The characters in the Greek epic The Odyssey are no strangers to grief, as it is a word woven throughout the text both physically and as an underlying theme. Just as the heroes of the Trojan War long for home, the women they left behind pine for their missing loved ones through constant articulation of grief, bouts of weeping, and sometimes even the need of literal unconsciousness in order to forget their pain. For the wives of The Odyssey, the amount of grief they…

    • 1349 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Odysseus Power In Homer's Odyssey
    • 1123 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Odysseus Power In Homer's Odyssey

    Athena’s influence on them is impactful. When Penelope sees Odysseus sitting down after the battle with the suitors, she refuses to believe it is him. Thinking the gods have casted a mist across her and everyone else around her, she refuses to meet him. Telemakhos rebukes her by saying that she is very immature not to greet her husband, but Penelope reassures him that she will test Odysseus by their two secrets only know to them (XXIII.122-126). She later on tests Odysseus by asking Eurykleia, to move her and her husband’s bed which angers Odysseus.…

    • 1123 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Examples Of Dishonesty In The Odyssey
    • 78 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Examples Of Dishonesty In The Odyssey

    Odysseus not only his dishonesty and disloyalty to his men, but also to his wife. He has proved that he is easily persuaded into being intimate with other Goddess. “He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypso’s not entirely unwilling captive) trying to get home”(Calypso) Odysseus spent seven years being intimate with the nymph knowing that at any point she could have given him a boat to leave and go home to his wife and…

    • 78 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Heros Journey In Homer's The Odyssey
    • 1331 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Heros Journey In Homer's The Odyssey

    As a former suitor of Helen, Odysseus is a part of a pact made between the other suitors to “defend [Helen] from all injury and avenge her cause if necessary” (Bulfinch). With this pact in mind, King Menelaus “[calls] upon his brother chieftains of Greece to fulfil their pledge” (Bulfinch) and sends Palamedes to Ithaca to recruit Odysseus. Odysseus, however, “[is] very happy in his wife and child” (Bulfinch) and feels “a sense of duty [and]…

    • 1331 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Does Penelope Deserve In The Odyssey
    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Does Penelope Deserve In The Odyssey

    But since Odysseus was faithful to Penelope, and was always ready for everything, he made it home and was able to wreak revenge on the suitors. This Odysseus definitely deserved for his strength and cunning through all of his troubles. And then there is Penelope. She definitely does not deserve the troubles that she has to put up with in the beginning of the story.…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Strongest Relationships In Homer's Odyssey
    • 858 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Strongest Relationships In Homer's Odyssey

    Penelope having the choice to remarry with one of the suitors, return to her father's home to be under his care, or wait for the homecoming of Odysseus, remains faithful to Odysseus until he returns after 20 years. Antikleia, Odysseus mother tells Odysseus, “All too much with enduring heart does she wait for you there in your own palace. ”(173.181-183) This proves the enduring love Penelope gives to Odysseus. On the other hand, Odysseus also wishes to see his wife and arrive to Ithaka, this keeps him going in his journey.…

    • 858 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Theme Of Appearance And Reality In The Odyssey
    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Theme Of Appearance And Reality In The Odyssey

    The old nurse Eurclyeia, the Swineherd, and the Cowhered were amongst the most loyal; they continue to carry out their daily tasks, as if their beloved master is still at home. This symbolizes what type of man and leader Odysseus is. He is kind-hearted and believer in rewarding the loyal. He treats his servants like family, even though they are lower down on the social class ladder; as if this wasn’t enough reward, Odysseus also rewards his servants with food and other treasures (like…

    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Odyssey: The Fear Of Women In The Odyssey
    • 1046 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Odyssey: The Fear Of Women In The Odyssey

    Homer’s description of women in the Odyssey reveals the Greek’s notion of fear in women’s beauty and of the prevailing power of men over women. Throughout the plot female characters, namely Penelope, Circe, and the Sirens, are portrayed as dangers that men overcome and devices that emphasize men’s strength. In the Odyssey, beautiful women bring danger to men with their seductive powers. The Sirens, with their alluring voices, try to lure Odysseus and his men away from their journey (190) and toward their deaths.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Tragic Hero In Homer's Odyssey
    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Tragic Hero In Homer's Odyssey

    Unfortunately, to reach their home, they were forced to sail directly between these two dangerous hazards. Odysseus was left with a huge dilemma. Should he sail closer to Scylla or Charybdis? He chose to go closer to Scylla, and this showed how he could make major decisions under great pressure anticipating a succesful out come. If they had gone near Charybdis, all of them would have most likely drowned.…

    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Role Of Women In The Odyssey
    • 1286 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Role Of Women In The Odyssey

    Throughout The Odyssey, Homer enlightens us in the tribulations Odysseus faces as he fights to return home to his loving wife and son. He uses his mind and cunning abilities to outwit the creatures he encounters along the way. As we follow his travels, he faces many different types of women. Including Athena-the protector, Penelope-the loving wife, and Calypso-the devastatingly beautiful goddess-nymph.. These women are all so different, yet all so alike as well.…

    • 1286 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Masculinity In The Odyssey Analysis
    • 1395 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Masculinity In The Odyssey Analysis

    As a clever female character in the Odyssey, Penelope devises a cunning plan to trick the suitors. Antinous describes how she had proposed to marry one of the suitors after she finishes weaving the loom. He states that the suitors “were persuaded by this appeal to [their] honor” (Homer 18). Penelope’s claim that the robe would be for “the hero / Laertes” causes the men’s honor to prevail over their desire to wed Penelope and take over the great Odysseus’ house (Homer 18). Although these men are characterized as rude, obnoxious, and disrespectful, they are still honorable in the fact that they agree to this proposal since it is intended for the hero Laertes, father of the godlike Odysseus.…

    • 1395 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings