In The Odyssey, I have seen examples of taunting and and arrogance throughout. Taunting is used constantly during this epic, although for a multitude of reasonings. The characters use taunting in order to get what they want, in order to show off what they got, and in order to request a competition. One of the first examples of taunting is with Athena and Nausicaa, daughter of King Alcinous. Athena went to Nausicaa's palace and provoked her to get up and go to the pools of water in which Odysseus resided in. Athena said, "' Nausicaa, how could your mother bear a careless girl like you?... The washing-pools are just too far from town'"(169). In this quotation, Athena is making a challenge for Nausicaa to live up to and her plan succeeds. There, she meets Odysseus and helped him along on his journey. In this example, the taunting was to get what she wanted and she succeeded.
Another example seen is during the time where Odysseus is in the land of the Phaecians. Laodamas, the son of Alcinous, offered Odysseus a chance to partake in the sports competing with native inhabitants. Odysseus politely refused, saying that he has suffered enough and just wants to return home. Although this might be a sufficient response for some, Broadsea saw this as a weekness of Odysseus and an oppurtunity to enhance it. Broadsea said, "I never took you for someone who skilled in games, the kind that real men play throughout the world... You're no athlete. I see that'"(196). In this quote, not only does Broadsea make Odysseus look like weak, but he also said that he is not manly enough.Odysseus responds to this false statement by throwing a discus farther than any of the other contenders. He then continues to prod about how great he was. Odysseus remarked, "'Now go match that, you young pups, and straightawat I'll hurl you another just as far, I swear, or even farther! All the rest of you, anyone with the spine and spirit, step right up and try me-you've incense me so- at boxing, wrestling, racing; nothing daunts me'"(198). Odysseus made sure to prove the point of how he was much better than any other man.
Another example in which Odysseus glorified himself included the great Cyclops Polyphemus. This story in the epic begins with Odysseus and his crew landing on the land of the Cyclops. They ventured into Polyphemus' territory and expected a gift as a sign of hospitality. Instead, two of his men were killed on the spot, and the others were frightened beyond compare. Polyphemus shut the cave closed with a rock while Odysseus had devised a plan to escape. He got Polyphemus drunk off of wine and then stabbed him with a burning wooden pole in the eye, leaving him blind. Although Odysseus and his men escaped, Odysseus felt the need to make fun of Polyphemus. Odysseus recalled, "I called back to the Cyclops, stinging taunts: 'So, Cyclops, no weak coward it was whose crew you bent to devour there in your vaulted cave- you with your brute force! Your filthy crimes came down on your own head, you shameless cannibal, daring to eat your guests in your own house'"(226). Odysseus had already blinded Polyphemus but felt the need to torture him with taunting. The Cyclops threw a huge rock towards Odysseus and his crew's ship which sent them almost back to the island. This still had not been enough for Odysseus. Odysseus continued, "So they begged but they could not bring my fighting spirit round. I called back with another burst of anger, 'Cyclops- if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus, raider of the cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithica'" (227). Odysseus continued to torture Polyphemus long after it was due and risked the lives of the men in his crew and his own. He also revealed his name in his rant to Polyphemus, wanting praise for his great accomplishment. Although, this led to his own fate because Polyphemus was Poseidon's son and he cused Odysseus to never find his way back home to his native land of Ithica. Odysseus sealed his own fate in his arrogance.
An important facet that I notice throughout the Odyssey and in this blog post is the rejection of taunting by those around the mocker. One example is when Odysseus insults Polyphemus as you mention in this post, his comrades "so they begged but they could not bring my fighting spirit round" (227:556-557). This is key, for even though Odysseus knew that he had beaten the Cyclops and felt the need to ridicule Polyphemus when all of his men know that it is simply going to put all of them in further danger.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Pheaecians Broadsea and Laodamas taunt Odysseus, the King of Ithaca is offended by their mockery. As you mention Odysseus throws Broadsea's insult right back in his face, but not before he scolds them, thoroughly calling their ridicule "indecent talk" and throwing more taunts back at the two sailors. In this situation, Odysseus has the right to talk down to them as an elder and a guest in the house of king Alcinous.
These examples that you mentioned show that even though taunting is very common throughout the Odyssey it is not usually accepted by society.
Nausicaa's situation is a bit different because Athena is a goddess and it would be wrong and very dangerous to oppose a deity. Athena also assures the young girl that she will be married soon, which rouses the princess immediately with excitement.
I agree with your point of the frequency of taunts and mockery and think it is very interesting that it is widely unaccepted regardless of its many appearances in the Odyssey.
the quote about indecent talk came from page 196 line 191
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you mention the taunts of the Odyssey, for though insults are very common in the story they are often frowned upon. One example that you mention is during the Phaeacian games. When Broadsea taunts Odysseus voicing his low opinion of the stranger, Odysseus is very offended and calls Broadsea's insult "indecent talk" (196:191). This shows how taunting can be turned around. Later Broadsea gives Odysseus great gifts to show his apology. When Odysseus responds after throwing the discus the farthest he does not individually ridicule the Phaeacians, showing that some taunts are ok, but there is a line, a line which Broadsea crossed.
ReplyDeleteWhen Odysseus and his men escaped the cave of Polyphemus and Odysseus poked fun at the monster as they sailed away the monster threw a rock at the ship, nearly killing all of the men. The crew tried to convince Odysseus to stop he did not listen, but taunted the monster further bringing on the curse of Poseidon. This is another example of insults bringing about wrath and anger.
Returning to your first point, when Nausicaa was insulted by the goddess she immediately followed Athena's nudges without anger or spite. Of course it never a good idea to upset the gods and goddesses. Another reason Athena's taunts do not bring harm to anyone is because Athena's provocation is not made out of spite or arrogance, but of wisdom.
These three examples that you chose suit the idea of taunting and response well and emphasize the consequences of insulting an opponent or enemy.
(I had posted something along these lines a week or so ago, but somehow it got deleted, so I tried to recreate it)