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Characterisation and Themes in the Odyssey Book 8 - Coggle Diagram
Characterisation and Themes in the Odyssey
Book 8
Alcinous
Shows perfect Xenia and being a good host as he proves everything for his guest. He is also polite and kind to the stranger by diverting the attention away from the bard when Odysseus is crying
Is a kind husband to Arete and mirrors how Odysseus house would be is he was back
Odysseus
Is a good guest and praises his hosts properly. Shows good Xenia and heroic quality's in the games
Shows that he is still upset by the trojan war and loss of his friends by crying at the stories about them.
Laodamas
He is one of the Phaeacians that tries to provoke and challenges Odysseus by insulting him - shows bad Xenia and is characterised as rude - wins boxing
He is also Alcinous son and shows how the younger generation that did not go to war are rude
Euryalus
Another Phaeacian that tries to mock and insult Odysseus for not taking part in the games - apologises and gives him a sword
Wins wrestling
Arete
Shows good Xenia by preparing a bath for Odysseus
Gives him a gift if a cloak and tunic
Nausicaa
Talks to Odysseus and reminds him that when he return home he should remember her as she saved his life
Helps with Xenia
Xenia
Alcinous and Arete show very good Xenia they give Odysseus food and drink, entertainment and a bath before questioning him
Phaeacians show prefect hosts as they give fulfil Xenia and give him gifts and ships to go home
Alcinous shows Xenia by not drawing attention to Odysseus crying and redirecting the Phaeacians to the games
Role of the Hero
Odysseus appears as a hero due to his physical strength which is seen during the games where he launches a discus further than any other Phaeacian
He also shows divine connections when Athene makes him broader and taller to make him seem more impressive to the Phaeacians and when he supports him in a crowd of Phaeacians
Cunning and trickery
Odysseus uses cunning when he ask Demodocus to sing about Odysseus so he can find out what the Phaeacians think of him
Odysseus is cunning by not immediately revealing who he is
Odysseus is also cunning by praising Alcinous so he is more generous with him