Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Argos
In Book 17 Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, encounters his faithful dog Argos, flea-infested and laying on a pile of dung. At the moment the dog recognizes his master he dies. What is the significance of this incident? Another chink in the emotional armor of Odysseus? Another example of the abuse that loyal servants of Odysseus must endure under the suitors? An example of the subservient status of animals in the world of the Odyssey? Are animals the play things, pawns, and victims of humans in the same way that we humans are the playthings of the gods? Is Argos a symbol for Odysseus himself?
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ReplyDeleteIn Homer's Odyssey, Argos the great dog of Odysseus is a faithful dog and he remained faithful to Odysseus and waited for his master to return home after more than twenty years. During Argos’ younger years before Odysseus left on his journey to join the Trojan war, Argos was known for his speed, strength and superior tracking skills. But after more than twenty years, Argos was too old and that he was just waiting for his master's return and shortly after Odysseus returned, Argos died. In contrast this story digs deep into the relationship and lifelong friendship between Odysseus and Argos. Also it shows how there is still strength to show the slightest hint of love and loyalty. “There the dog Argos lay in the dung, all covered with dog ticks. Now, as he perceived that Odysseus had come close to him, he wagged his tail, and laid both his ears back; only he now no longer had the strength to move any closer to his master, who, watching him from a distance, without Eumaios noticing, secretly wiped a tear away. (17.300-305)” Argos was strong enough to wait to see his best friend/master to return home and once he did, his life was complete. The simplicity of the relationship between Argos and Odysseus allows their final connection to be immediate and heartfelt. The message of this story within the poem is to always be loyal to your friends and loved ones.
ReplyDeleteA dog and his master are bonded by a special connection for life, even through 20 years of suffering without his master; Argos remained loyal to Odysseus and waited until his return to die. This incident signifies how loving and caring Odysseus was as a master compared to the harsh and cruel suitors. During Argos’ years of youth he was energetic and known for his great speed, but as he aged he lost his physical abilities and became a useless dog. The change through the 20 years reflects the change from Odysseus to the suitors. Argos’s energy was drained after he lost Odysseus, the grief made him age earlier, and he knew it was his time to die when Odysseus returned home.
ReplyDeleteThere the dog Argos lay in the dung, all covered with dog ticks.
Now, as he perceived that Odysseus had come close to him, he wagged his tail, and laid both his ears back;
only he now no longer had the strength to move any closer to his master, who, watching him from a distance,
without Eumaeus noticing, secretly wiped a tear away. (17.300-305)
Unlike Telemachus and Penelope, Argos new the moment his master was near that his loving companion had returned. A dog is a man’s best friend but the connection that Argos and Odysseus shared, made it seem like he was an extension of Odysseus. The death of Argos signifies the person Odysseus is and how much has changed in 20 years.
In book 17, Odysseus encounters his long lost best friend and companion, Argos. This scene in the novel is one of the most affectionate ones and heartbreaking as well. “There the dog Argos lay in the dung, all covered with dog ticks. Now, as he perceived that Odysseus had come close to him, he wagged his tail, and laid both his ears back; only he now no longer had the strength to move any close to his master, who, watching him from a distance, without Eumaeus noticing, secretly wiped a tear away.” (17.300-305) This quote clearly reveals how Ithaca is struggling and suffering while Odysseus is not there. In addition, it fueled the fire that Odysseus was holding in his heart to be even angrier with the suitors because they did not treat anything he loved with respect when he was gone on his journeys. Argos is the symbol of Penelope. One would say this because Penelope is in the same amount of pain as Argos because they have feelings for Odysseus and believed he was dead. Argos portrays the suffering and unstableness of Ithaca while Odysseus is not there supporting and leading the city.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Argos helps tell Odysseus’ epic. It shows and represents how everyone's life was put on hold when Odysseus left. The only thing that kept Argos alive was waiting for his master. When Argos saw his master he was relieved because his waiting had ended and he got what he had wanted: his master back home. It says a lot about his loyalty for waiting twenty years. Argos could be representing Penelope, Telemachus, the swineherd and faithful servants. It shows how his loyal family and friends put their life on hold waiting for his return. I say this because their lives main purpose revolved around Odysseus’ arrival. Take Penelope for example; as she cried herself to sleep every night till Athena cast rest upon her. She yearned for him to come and remained loyal finding ways to trick her suitors to refrain from marriage. Telemachus also put his life on hold for his father. At the start of the epic he waited around for his father’s return so that he could return and fix the “mess” at home. Then, Telemachus started to act and dedicated his life to finding out his father’s whereabouts. The way that Argos got neglected in the pile of dung and was overlooked was exactly how the ones loyal to Odysseus felt. They felt overlooked and used as the suitors used and abused, taking all of what was Odysseus’ day by day. Argos was half dead and starting to lose hope just like Penelope who even didn’t believe it was Odysseus when she saw him in person, “Odysseus? Far from Achaea now, he’s lost all hope of coming home…he’s lost and gone himself. (23.75-6)” The meaning and symbolism of Argos in the Odyssey shows how loyal the ones closest to Odysseus were by putting their lives on hold for twenty years.
ReplyDeleteIn book 17, Odysseus, dressed as beggar, returns to his homeland of Ithaca and comes across his dog, Argos. Before leaving for Troy, Odysseus trained Argos as a puppy and took him hunting for goats, deer, and hares. Twenty years has passed since Odysseus last saw his faithful friend. Now, Argos, half dead, lays on a pile of dung from mules and cattle, infested with ticks. Odysseus walks towards Argos and he recognizes his master immediately, showing signs of identification by thumping his tail and dropping his ears. Weak Argos longs to approach Odysseus, "But the dark shadow of death closed down on Argos' eyes the instant he saw Odysseus, twenty years away." (17.359-60)
ReplyDeleteArgos is metaphor for the state of Ithaca and its inhabitants while Odysseus was away. The suffering, misery, and sorrow of Argos relates to the suffering of those in Ithaca, specifically Penelope. For example, Penelope says:
Now if only
blessed Artemis sent me a death as gentle, now,
this instant--no more wasting away my life,
my heart broken in longing for my husband… (18.229-32)
Penelope grieves for her long lost husband to the extent that she would rather die than continue to live with a broken heart. Argos and Penelope both possess pain and longing for Odysseus to return. Although, at the time, it was hard for both Argos and Penelope to make it through another day with a grief-stricken heart, they both were relieved of their sorrow when they saw Odysseus again. Argos is a representation of Penelope.
Argos prolonging his death proves that there is loving relationship between Argos and Odysseus. Thus, Argos wishes to see his master, that he loves, before he dies. As a result of his kind treatment towards his dog, Odysseus confirms that he also treated the people of Ithaca compassionately. In book 14, Eumaeus, talking about Odysseus, says, "He'd have treated me well, he would, with a house,/a plot of land and a wife you'd gladly prize." (14.72-73) Eumaeus recalls his memories of Odysseus, which are all good memories. Based on what he has heard and seen Odysseus do for others in the past, Eumaeus generates his assumption about how Odysseus would have treated him well. Argos is a metaphor for both the suffering of the people of Ithaca while he was away and his affectionate character.
Argos, Odysseus’ dog, cares for Odysseus deeply and is determined not to die until his master returns to Ithaca. “ Infested with ticks, half–dead from neglect,/ here lay the hound, old Argos” (17.328-329). Despite his condition, Argos shows loyalty and refuses to die until he sees Odysseus again. When Odysseus returns to Ithaca, disguised as a beggar, Argos senses that it is Odysseus under the disguise and then he dies as he is satisfied that his master has come back. The fact that they were not able to acknowledge each other causes the readers to feel sadness and sympathy for them. At this point, the readers are attentive and emotionally involved in the story. The relationship between Odysseus and Argos is special, and this story captures their loving nature towards each other.
ReplyDelete“But the moment he sensed Odysseus standing by
he thumped his tail, nuzzling low, and his ears dropped,
though he had no strength to drag himself an inch
toward his master. Odysseus glanced to the side
and flicked away a tear…”(17.330-334).
This story presents an opportunity for the readers to personally connect to the ideas of loyalty, loss and grief, and become more involved in this epic. The idea of having a pet as a loyal companion is a very common concept that readers today can appreciate and connect to. Having a dog is something that so many people can relate to. In this story there are relationships with mostly gods and monsters, and these are not things that readers have had experiences with or are able to connect to. However, including a relationship between a man and a dog, suddenly, readers are able to relate to the concept of a dog being a man’s best friend, the loyalty of dogs, and how painful it is to lose a pet.This short but meaningful story of Argos adds depth and emotion to The Odyssey.
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ReplyDeleteAs Argos’ grueling life and happy death serve as a microcosm for what has happened to Odysseus thus far, the purpose of the mention of Argos’ death is to build up tension on the story in intensifying the reader’s wondering of when death will befall Odysseus. Similar to Argos, Odysseus was a happy man prior to leaving his homeland of Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War. Odysseus lived happily with his prosperous son and lovely wife as Argos was a happy dog when “In the old days,” (17.322) “Odysseus’ men “loved to set [Argos] / coursing after the wild goats and deer and hares” (17.322-323). Then, during the twenty years that Odysseus is away from Ithaca, Argos’ disheveled state corresponds to the state of miserable and homesick Odysseus. Odysseus suffers “many pains… heartsick on the open sea” (1.5) as Argos becomes “infested with ticks” and “half-dead from neglect” (17.328). Nevertheless, when Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca after twenty grueling years, he faces a nostalgic encounter with dirty, neglected Argos, whom he finds lying “on piles of dung” (17.325). Argos immediately dies peacefully “the instant he [sees] Odysseus” (17.360). That very moment of Argos’ death is what brings out the purpose of introducing Argos as a character in the first place. Since everything in Argos and Odysseus’ lives thus far matches up, Argos’ sudden death upon seeing Odysseus leaves the reader wondering about the proximity of Odysseus’ death. Will Odysseus die happily immediately after returning home seeing his loved ones like Argos dies the instant he sees his loved one, Odysseus? Or will Odysseus’ happy death take place later, when he is ripe with old age?
ReplyDeleteThe character of Argos, at first glance, may seem trivial and completely unnecessary to the plot of the Odyssey. However, he is much more than a useless aside. Argos represents the turmoil that has ensued in all aspects of Odysseus’ life since he left for Troy. One of the things Argos represents the trouble in Ithaca that came with Odysseus' absence. He is the epitome of filth and trouble in Ithaca. The city was once beautiful well-kept, and ruled by the King, but now, Ithaca, like the dog, is run down and disgusting. “Infested with ticks, half-dead from neglect,/ here lay the hound, old Argos.” (17: 328- 29). He could also represent Odysseus’ relationship with his wife. Penelope is thinking of straying from her husband’s side at long last, and the bond is slowly deteriorating over time. Possibly explaining why she holds the contest for the suitors. Another possible symbol for Argos is Telemachus. At the beginning of the epic, Telemachus is but the shell of a boy, which he would have remained without Athena’s help. His son had grown weary just like the dog, and was set upon doing nothing, waiting for his Father to return, just like Argos. He is sad, and is full of self-pity he says, “’Now, think of the most unlucky mortal ever born—/ since you ask me, yes, they say I am his son.’” (1:254- 55). When using the death of Argos in the Telemachus situation, it symbolizes a new relationship being formed, and the chance for a new beginning. Argos is an important symbol in the Odyssey that explains what havoc Odysseus’ journey had created.
ReplyDeleteArgos is Odysseus’ dog in the Odyssey. Although Argos is only mentioned briefly in the story, he has a significant role portraying Odysseus’ home, Ithaca. Before Odysseus left his home, Ithaca was a city in its golden age; this is represented by young Argos
ReplyDelete“But if he had now
the form and flair he had in his glory days—
as Odysseus, left him, sailing off to Troy—
you’d be amazed to see such speed, such strength.
no quarry he chased in the deepest, darkest woods
could every slip this hound. A champion tracker too! (17.343-349)
Argos in his youth showed how Ithaca was a thriving city. However, as Odysseus was on his journey trying to return home, Ithaca started to decline, being ravaged and depleted of wealth by the wasteful suitors competing for Penelope’s hand in marriage. As the years dragged on, Ithaca became nothing more than a shell of its former glory. This is represented by Argos, neglected by the servants, resting on a pile of feces. Throughout the years, Argos is an accurate model of the steady decay in Ithaca’s society. When Odysseus arrives home under the disguise of a beggar, Argos is one of two characters in the epic to recognize him. When Odysseus sees him, he sheds a tear, signifying the close relationship between them. After seeing Odysseus, Argos dies shortly after, accomplishing his goal of reuniting twenty years after he left. The death of Argos shows the rebirth of Ithaca when Odysseus arrives and also shows the conclusion of Odysseus’ journey.
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ReplyDeleteArgos represents a few things, in our brief encounter with him. Firstly he symbolizes the kingdom of Odysseus. The kingdom, like Argos, has begun to wither and become diseased without the positive force that is Odysseus. Under the suitors disinterested and self –absorbed reign the servants, the livelihood, and the estate of Odysseus are slowly falling into ruin. Odysseus brings strength and stability to the region. Another theme that Argos represents is the greatness of Odysseus. This is a very clear example of the loyalty and dedication that he inspires in those who follow him and those who are around him at all. So powerful a love does he inspire that it in fact keeps Argos alive. At the time of Odysseus’ departure, Argos was powerful alive and healthy, but over a 20 year period his health slowly erodes. 20 plus years is an incredibly long life span for a dog. But the reason for his incredible cradle-to-grave is Odysseus. Odysseus loved the dog unconditionally throughout their time together. He cared for him, and gave him a fulfilling life. This instilled in Argos an intense sense of loyalty to his master so he simply refused to die. He would not pass on, from this life to the next, until he saw his master once again. In conclusion Argos acts as a great depiction of the state of Odysseus’ kingdom. He represents the slow decline of the region without Odysseus in power. Additionally Argos acts as an accurate illustration of the loyalty and awe that Odysseus instills in those who follow him, depicted by Argos refusing to die before seeing him one last time.
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