Question

At the beginning of the reading, for what reason is Odysseus telling his tale of his recent battle?

Answer 1

Odysseus is intimidating his enemy by bragging about his fearsome battle skills that is why he told his tales to the people in order to bring himself glory. Such stories includes Helios (the sun god) having seven herds of oxen and seven flocks of sheep guarded by his daughters, Phaëthusa and Lampetië. Circe warned Odysseus to avoid the island no matter what as these harming these cattles will bring will down Zeus’ wrath. However, cursed by Poseidon, Odysseus and his men decided to stay on the island for a month with the condition that no one must touch the cattles. When all the cattles died, Helios was enraged and asked Zeus to cast a lightning on Odysseus’ ship. All his men died except for Odysseus.