Odyssey Study Guide Contents
The 8th Book of the Odyssey begins at dawn with Odysseus (still an unnamed stranger) and his host Alcinous going to the Phaeacian assembly. Alcinous instructs the Phaeacians to provide a black ship and a crew of 52. All should come to his palace for a feast with the minstrel Demodokos singing and playing his harp.
After the 52 get the ship fitted out, they join the palace feast with the leaders and rulers of the Phaeacians who had been at the assembly. Demodokos, who is blind, has been seated with his harp, bread and wine. The gathered men eat and then the minstrel sings about a clash between Odysseus and Achilles. Realizing he is crying, Odysseus pulls his cloak over his face. Alcinous, who sits beside Odysseus, is the only one to notice the weeping. Alcinous stops the minstrel and says it's time for the athletic events, which here are a pentathlon consisting of boxing, wrestling, broadjumping, a footrace, and discus throwing. The handsome Euryalus (Broadsea - Fagles) wins the wrestling.
After the pentathlon, one of the king's sons, Laodamas, who won the boxing, wants the stranger to name the sport in which he excels. Odysseus tries to get out of it, saying he's too old. Euryalus insults Odysseus saying he must have no skill and his ties to the sea are only those of a merchant looking for gold.
Odysseus says Euryalus has been rude. He says when he was young he competed, but he has been injured by war and the sea. Despite this, he will show up the young fool. Odysseus takes a heavier discus than any thrown earlier and hurls it considerably further. He says he'll challenge anyone by Laodamas, his host, and will compete in anything except sprinting because the sea has made his legs flabby.
Alcinous steps in and says Odysseus has been offended and clearly has the prowess he was accused of lacking, Alcinous wants the Phaeacians to be remembered for their feasting, dancing, clothes, warm baths, and cozy beds. He wants Odysseus to tell stories about them when he gets home. To prove that the Phaeacians are exceptional dancers, the minstrel is summoned. Demodocus sings first about the story of Ares and Aphrodite caught in a net. Demodocus then plays music while Alcinous' sons Halios and Laodamas do a dance involving a ball.
Then Alcinous says 13 of the greatest Phaeacian lords should provide Odysseus with a clean cloak and tunic, and a bar of gold. In addition, Euryalus must make amends. Everyone obeys
Euryalus extends Odysseus a bronze sword with a silver hilt and an ivory sheath. Odysseus accepts it graciously. Then Arete orders a bath prepared for Odysseus and arranges for the tunics and other gifts to be put in a fine chest. She warns Odysseus that he should secure it against thieves on the sea journey home.
Nausicaa asks Odysseus to be sure to remember her, which he says he will do.
Another feast begins and this time, Odysseus cuts a large hunk of meat to present to the minstrel, whom Odysseus praises and asks to sing about the Trojan Horse. Demodocus obliges and Odysseus winds up crying under his cloak again.
Alcinous orders Demodocus to stop because it seems to be displeasing to Odysseus. He then tells Odysseus that they've treated him, a suppliant, well. Now it's his turn to reciprocate.
