Question

In Book VIII of the Odyssey, we see the blind minstrel sing stories of Troy. Homer is thought to have also been blind. What effect would Homer’s choice to include a blind minstrel have upon the audience?

Answer 1

The distinct physical aspect is that he is blind, which back then, it was thought that you could see the past and the future. He then asks him to sing about Troy, Odysseus does this act to see the reaction of the people, and to also see if they are on his side or not just before he reveals his identity.