O is for The Odysseus

For this, my third year doing the challenge, I am going literary. For every letter of the alphabet I will talk about a book, an author or a character from fiction or myth that made an impression, was inspirational, or caused me to think.





As a kid I had a large picture book of the Iliad and Odyssey. The angular, stylized illustrations still stick in my mind. They were very much like this illustration from a Greek urn depicting Odysseus and Ajax fighting over Achilles' armor.

I loved the story, immortalized by Homer. But particularly I love Odysseus.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I fully understood why.

Despite being gone twenty long years, he remained faithful to his wife, Penelope, and she to him. It is the most classic of love stories.

And not only was Odysseus loved by his wife, he was loved by his faithful dog Argus, the first to recognize him when returned home. Here's a poem I remember. I had no idea who wrote it until I searched the internet. (Such an amazing tool!)


Argus  by Eleanor Farjeon

Argus was a puppy,
Frisking full of joy,
Ulysses was his master,
Who sailed away to Troy.

Argus on the seashore,
Watched the ships white track,
Barked a little puppy bark
To bring his master back.

Argus was an old dog,
Too gray and tired for tears,
He lay outside the house-door,
And watched for twenty years.

When twenty years were ended,
Ulysses came from Troy,
Argus wagged an old dog's wag,
And then he died for joy.


,

The 1997 Hallmark mini-series, is the best version of Odysseus' struggle to get home that I have yet to see. I thought Armand Assante was perfect for the role.


O is for Odysseus and his Odyssey

Other O influences include:
The Owl and Pussycat by Edward Lear, P. D. Ouspensky