Odysseus Dialogues - World of Biography

odysseus

Odysseus is one of the first Greek mythic heroes known for his intelligence and strength.

Dialogues

"… For nothing is greater or better than this, when man and wife dwell is a home in one accord, a great grief to their foes and a joy to their friends, but they know it best themselves."
– Odysseus to Nausicca

"Wife, one thing is certain – not all our soldiers will return from Troy unhurt… So I cannot say whether the Gods will let me come back or whether I shall fall on Trojan soil. But I leave everything here in your charge. Look after my father and mother in the house as you do now… And when you see a beard on our boy’s chin, marry whomsoever you fancy and leave your home."
– Odysseus to Penelope, before leaving for the Trojan War

"There is our secret, and I have shown you that I know it."
– After slaying the wooers, Odysseus reveals his identity before Penelope.

"… A tramp’s life is the worst thing that anyone can come to. But exile, misfortune, and sorrow, often force a man to put up with his miseries, for his wretched stomach’s sake."
– Odysseus to Eumaeus, when he comes dressed as a beggar to the swineherd’s house

"Just to set the records straight, the name’s Odysseus…"
– Odysseus reveals his identity to Poseidon after having injured him in his eye and was leaving the island with his men.

"Stranger, thou hast not spoken well; thou art like a man presumptuous…. Yet even so, for all my afflictions I will essay the games, for thy word hath bitten to the quick, and thou hast roused me with thy saying."
– Odysseus to Euryalus, after Euryalus, a young man who had just won a wrestling bout insulted Odysseus.

"Now, first, will I tell my name, that ye too may know it, and that I, when I have escaped the pitiless day. May yet be your host, though my home is in a far country. I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, who am in men’s minds for all manner of wiles, and my fame reaches unto heaven…"
– Odysseus reveals his identity in king Alcinous’ hall after getting emotional, hearing the minstrel’s song of his triumph in the Trojan War.

"Behold, no God am I, why likest thou me to the immortals ? Nay, thy father am I, for whose sake thou sufferest many pains and groanest sore, and submittest thee to the despite of men."
– Odysseus reveals his identity to his son Telemachus at the swineherd’s house.

"Telemachus, thy guest that sits in the halls does thee no shame. In no wise did I miss my mark, nor was I wearied with long bending of the bow. Still is my might steadfast – not as the wooers say scornfully to slight me. But now is it time that supper too be got ready for the Acheans, while it is yet light, and thereafter must we make other sport with the dance and lyre, for these are the crown of the feast."
– Odysseus to Telemachus, after Odysseus in the guise of a beggar takes the bow and bends it. Then he points the arrows at the wooers.

"Telemachus, soon shalt thou learn this, when thou thyself art got to the place of the battle where the best men try the issue, namely, not to bring shame on thy father’s house, on us who in time past have been eminent for might and hardihood all over the world.’
– After slaying the wooers, Odysseus advises Telemachus with his eloquent speech. Penelope and Laertes are also present there.