Through books IX and XII of The Odyssey, Homer highlighted one of Odysseus’ most eminent tragic flaws, hubris; however, he exemplifies the change in Odysseus as a dynamic character- becoming more modest- through books XVII and XVIII. Before his shift in character, Odysseus had a copious amount of pride, which most often led to cataclysmic consequences for both him and his crew. One such instance where Odysseus’ self-confidence shone was in book IX, when he defeated the great Kyklops, Polyphemus, and escaped from its cave. As he sails off the island, Odysseus continues to taunt the beast from his ship. The shipmates- in exasperation- beg Odysseus to stop. However, Odysseus “would not heed them in [his] glorying spirit/ [he] let his anger flare and yelled/
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Antínoōs- in absolute pique- cut him off, shouting complaints of what terrible fate had brought the pest into the palace. Antínoōs also mentioned that the other suitors were only giving away bread because they had plenty, and the bread wasn’t theirs in the first place. Hearing this- a sly look on his face, Odysseus stepped away and spoke words that would burn Antínoōs’ soul, saying “A pity that you have more looks than heart./ You’d grudge a pinch of salt from your own larder/ to your own handy man. You sit here, fat/ on others’ meat, and cannot bring yourself/ to rummage out a crust of bread for me!” (Homer XVII. 595-599). This passage shows strong connotations through Odysseus’ insults of “have more looks than heart” and “You sit here, fat/ on other’s meat”, as well as the phrase “You’d grudge a pinch of salt from your own larder/ to your own handy man”. The stinging phrase “have more looks than heart” is referring Antínoōs to being better looking on the outside than he is on the inside. Homer may use this phrase to give the reader a better mental picture of Antínoōs, as there’s probably someone that resembles him in the reader’s
Antínoōs- in absolute pique- cut him off, shouting complaints of what terrible fate had brought the pest into the palace. Antínoōs also mentioned that the other suitors were only giving away bread because they had plenty, and the bread wasn’t theirs in the first place. Hearing this- a sly look on his face, Odysseus stepped away and spoke words that would burn Antínoōs’ soul, saying “A pity that you have more looks than heart./ You’d grudge a pinch of salt from your own larder/ to your own handy man. You sit here, fat/ on others’ meat, and cannot bring yourself/ to rummage out a crust of bread for me!” (Homer XVII. 595-599). This passage shows strong connotations through Odysseus’ insults of “have more looks than heart” and “You sit here, fat/ on other’s meat”, as well as the phrase “You’d grudge a pinch of salt from your own larder/ to your own handy man”. The stinging phrase “have more looks than heart” is referring Antínoōs to being better looking on the outside than he is on the inside. Homer may use this phrase to give the reader a better mental picture of Antínoōs, as there’s probably someone that resembles him in the reader’s