This morning, an assembly was held in order to pick out my crew for my journey home. We picked out a crew, and they had a feast prepared just for me. I was having a great time, with all of the great food and drink, when they start an athletic competition. I just observed at first, but then I was asked to join. I politely declined, but in response they called me out and said that I wasn't a good athlete. What nerve! I couldn't let this stand, so I entered the competition and defeated them all. Afterwards, they showed their great ability in music, and played beautiful songs. When they started playing a song about the Trojan War, a tear came to my eye. I couldn't help it, just thinking about all my lost soldiers made me feel so sad. The king, seeing the tears, demanded who I was.
I don't want to tell Alkinoos my identity. He said, "...some day one of our cutters homeward bound over the cloudy sea would be wrecked by the god..." (142). I know this prediction was meant towards me. Poseidon and I have had many quarrels, and we are sure to fight again. I can't tell Alkinoos who the truth because I may take back his promise of my return home. I can't afford that to happen. I've spent way too long far away and in terrible situations. I need to get that ride home.
Demodokos sang the song of Hephaistos catching Aphrodite and Ares. He sang, "So trussed they could not move apart, nor rise, at last they knew there would be no escape..." (133). Even the Gods can be tricked. Although they are great powerful beings, sometimes they aren't always the wisest people. The Gods do not seem as great as they used to be because people have seen them tricked and humiliated, like Aphrodite and Ares here. Gods aren't perfect.
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