In the Odyssey, many characters of high social status help Odysseus on his journey. However, some helpful characters also happen to be of a low social status. Eumaeus, Eurycleia, and Philoitius, invoke the theme of loyalty throughout the epic. Even though there is loyalty to Odysseus from kings, gods, and princes, his most loyal characters are one of the lower statuses. Although these characters do not have much, their loyalty to Odyssey ensures that he is able to drive the suitors away from his home. These characters manage to get heard in the epic because of their loyalty to Odysseus. Eumaeus for example, was the first mortal whom Odysseus encountered when he returns to Ithaca because Odysseus believed Eumaeus could be trusted. Eurycleia,
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Eurycleia and Odysseus have a long history together in which Eurycleia is the one who raised Odysseus ever since he was a child. This in itself instills a sense of loyalty as she’s watched Odysseus grow into a man. A sign of loyalty is the fact that she raised Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. She took in the responsibility on behalf of her king, who couldn’t be there to raise Telemachus himself. Eurycleia, being Odysseus’ nurse since he was a child, was the only person in the Odyssey to recognize Odysseus without Odysseus revealing himself. She is able to do that because Eurycleia recognizes the scar that Odysseus has on the bottom of his foot that he got from a wild boar (Od.19.510-530). Although Odysseus grabs her by the throat and threatens her, telling her to not say a word, he knows that she won’t disobey his orders of not telling anyone else. It personifies the type of character Eurycleia is, remaining faithful to Odysseus after 20 years of him being absent from Ithaca. She wastes no time in displaying her trust as she later on in the book points out all the maids that have been speaking bad about Odysseus while he was gone. As she reports to him about the women who were dishonest, she states “Some dozen in all went trampling to their shame, thumbing their noses at me and at the queen”(Od.22.449-450). Having loyal servants like Eurycleia allows Odysseus to know who’s been loyal and who hasn’t in the …show more content…
Eumaeus, Eurycleia, and Philoitis have a voice of obedience, always looking up to their king. Although other characters do respect Odysseus, none of them show the respect, and loyalty that the servants show to him. Listening to his every command without hesitation, agreeing with everything Odysseus says, these characters are relied upon on Odysseus. Throughout the book they never question Odysseus, trusting him with his every order that they are given. It ensures the point that their voice and the way they interact with Odysseus, that they are the most loyal characters in the
Eurycleia and Odysseus have a long history together in which Eurycleia is the one who raised Odysseus ever since he was a child. This in itself instills a sense of loyalty as she’s watched Odysseus grow into a man. A sign of loyalty is the fact that she raised Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. She took in the responsibility on behalf of her king, who couldn’t be there to raise Telemachus himself. Eurycleia, being Odysseus’ nurse since he was a child, was the only person in the Odyssey to recognize Odysseus without Odysseus revealing himself. She is able to do that because Eurycleia recognizes the scar that Odysseus has on the bottom of his foot that he got from a wild boar (Od.19.510-530). Although Odysseus grabs her by the throat and threatens her, telling her to not say a word, he knows that she won’t disobey his orders of not telling anyone else. It personifies the type of character Eurycleia is, remaining faithful to Odysseus after 20 years of him being absent from Ithaca. She wastes no time in displaying her trust as she later on in the book points out all the maids that have been speaking bad about Odysseus while he was gone. As she reports to him about the women who were dishonest, she states “Some dozen in all went trampling to their shame, thumbing their noses at me and at the queen”(Od.22.449-450). Having loyal servants like Eurycleia allows Odysseus to know who’s been loyal and who hasn’t in the …show more content…
Eumaeus, Eurycleia, and Philoitis have a voice of obedience, always looking up to their king. Although other characters do respect Odysseus, none of them show the respect, and loyalty that the servants show to him. Listening to his every command without hesitation, agreeing with everything Odysseus says, these characters are relied upon on Odysseus. Throughout the book they never question Odysseus, trusting him with his every order that they are given. It ensures the point that their voice and the way they interact with Odysseus, that they are the most loyal characters in the