Marnie Bethel: Recent Episodes
Marnie Bethel
This poem was originally published in a collection called "Les odes" in 1550.
The French text can be found here.
The following is my clumsy effort to render it in modern English:
My darling, let us go see if the rose
Who just this morning opened
Her purple robe to the Sun
Has yet, with evening’s fall,
Relinquished the blushing folds of her gown,
And the delicate tint of her cheeks, so like your own.
Alas! See how in so short a time,
My darling, she has –
Alas! Alas! – let her beauteous petals fall to the ground.
O Nature, truly you are a wicked stepmother,
Permitting such a flower to live
Only from morning to evening of a single day!
So, if you will believe me, my darling,
Now, while like the spring you flourish
Verdant and new,
Pluck, pluck the flowers of your youth;
For as it has done to the rose, age will soon enough
Dim your earthly beauty.
In this book, Odysseus (disguised as an old beggar), Telemachus, and their servants Eumaeus the swineherd and Philoetius the cowherd are in Odysseus's palace, facing off against the suitors in a test of strength and skill. Notice Penelope's display of metis - a trait she shares with her husband (and Athena). Also, how has Telemachus's status changed since his return?
In this book, notice Odysseus's demonstration of metis, the trait he shares with his patron goddess, Athena.
If you haven't done so yet, please review the summaries of Books 6, 7 and 8 before listening. Read along and annotate - and as always, bring any questions you have to your teacher.
Note that this is the longest book in the Odyssey - about twice as long as the others!
Follow along and annotate. As you read, consider: what kind of people are Helen and Menelaus? What do you think their relationship is like? What is Telemachus learning on his journey?
Consider what we have learned about the Greek tradition of xenia, hospitality toward strangers. Is Telemachus a good guest? Are the suitors?
Please listen and follow along in your text. I ask you in the podcast to annotate for certain pieces of information; I also want you to add any questions you have.
Please listen and follow along in your text. I ask you in the podcast to annotate for certain pieces of information; I also want you to add any questions you have.
Please listen and follow along in your text. I ask you in the podcast to annotate for certain pieces of information; I also want you to add any questions you have.