Sunday, November 7, 2010

Don't touch! (the cattle)

Upon arrival at the island of the Sun god, Helios, and his cattle, Odysseus warns all men 'Do NOT touch these cattle!' For Teiresias has warned Odysseus, touching the cattle will make the sun god very angry. Terrible, violent storms last for about a month, leaving the men with no food or clean drinking water.  Odysseus has gone farther inland to pray.  While Odysseus is away, a sailor Eurylochus convinces the other men that eating just one cow, can't cause any harm. And it is much better than starving to death.  Well, then Odysseus wakes up to discover his men have been feasting on some cattle! Odysseus is quite angry and 'yells' at the god, for allowing him to snooze while his men ate the cattle. Accordining to Teiresias, terrible, awful things will now occur.  Lampetia, Helios' faithful daughter, and guard of his cattle, informs her father of what Odysseus' men have done.

No comments:

Post a Comment