The Role Of Eurycleia In Homer's Odyssey

“That was the last, Odysseus told Penelope, just as sleep overcame him…sleep losing his limbs, slipping the toils of anguish from his mind,(Homer, 466)” The jubilant day suddenly felt somber to the still awake maid, Eurycleia; a draft abruptly traveled through her room, blowing out her once glowing candle. Fear of an evil spirit engrossed her, so she enveloped herself in the woolen blanket, and attempted pleasant sleep once more. Her candle suddenly went aglow again though. A man with a wry smile and antipathy in his eyes lingered before her: “I am Poseidon,” he whispered. Drifting closer to her, his breath warmed Eurycleia’s stiff neck. She stopped trembling with terror, a new feeling of calmness engulfed her. As he pulled the small of her

Her vision fell black, all of the rich smells in the palace vanished, and silence wrapped around her. “Let’s take a look at the kitchen,” he jokingly proposed to the now unconscious Eurycleia, carrying her towards the utensils. He marveled at their decadent wine collection, but his attention was quickly enthralled by their prominently sharp steak knife. Hastily placing it in her hand, he instilled great malice and animosity towards Odysseus in Eurycleia’s dormant mind. With that, she woke; colors taking back their place, the snores of the servants remaining like a horrible song, and the scent of ruddy wine and fresh food penetrated her wrinkled nose. “Who are you?” she asked the tall godly looking man standing next to her, forgetting their prior introduction. He gave her a wry smile and showed antipathy in his eyes; a switch was flipped into her once loyal brain. Hastily, she grasped the steak knife closer to her heart, and began up the stairs to Odysseus’s chamber. Her thoughts were occupied with great disgust and hatred towards her once beloved Odysseus. Slowly, she cracked open their closed wooden door. One motive in mind, she unraveled their silky sheets from covering up the