Class Notes on THE BEGGAR and ARGOS, THE DOG
Why would Homer include the story of Argos in The Odyssey?
The dog meant something in the past of Odysseus.
Odysseus’s state is being compared to a dog.
The dog's condition is a symbol of the decay of Ithaca during Odysseus’ absence.
What does this reveal about Odysseus?
He is a softy. He is kind and compassionate but he is capable of controlling his feelings.
Is there any irony?
The dog is the only creature who recognized Odysseus.
We find the dog on a garbage heap waiting to die.
The dog is a symbol of what the suitors want to do with Odysseus and Telemachus.
Reread Eumaeus’ description of the dog. This is ironic because Eumaeus says that the owner of the dog is dead, not realizing that Odysseus, the owner, is standing there listening to him.
Personification: Giving human characteristics to an inanimate object.
Example:
Misery has him (Argos) in its leash.
Eumaeus’ whole passage is an analogy between the state of Ithaca and the sad state of Argos, the dog.
Create your own personification!
Love held me in his embrace!
The trees danced in the wind.
The machine gun barked in reply.
The Ferrari purred under the gloved hand of its owner.
What do you think about Eumaeus’ statement about servants?
Do you think that slavery demeans humans and the very act of enslavement robs people of their humanity and deprives them of the highest qualities which distinguish us as humans?
Just because one is enslaved does not mean that one is not capable of the highest intellectual achievement.
The quality of a society can be seen by how it treats its weakest, most vulnerable members – children, babies, the old, the poor and the animals.
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