Incomico

Odysseus was away from his home for 20 years, ten years fighting in the Trojan War and ten more years struggling at sea before being "washed ashore" in Ithaca, at his home. After everything he endured, he returned to Ithaca alone, aged, weary, burdened with suffering and sorrow, and unrecognizable to everyone. Dressed in rags so no one would recognize him, he was accompanied by Eumaeus, the swineherd, who also did not recognize him. As they approached the palace, Odysseus saw Argos, his beloved dog and friend who had missed him during his time in Ilion (Troy), now in a very miserable state. Homer describes Argos as covered in ticks, neglected, lying still as if waiting for something, his death, but not quite ready yet. A brief conversation takes place over Argos between Odysseus and Eumaeus, after which Odysseus enters the hall with the suitors. Now, Argos is ready to die. He can finally take his last breath, as the moment he had waited for over 20 years had arrived, he saw his best friend one last time. His longing and hope for the return of his master had kept him alive for 20 whole years. Only Argos recognized him. The hero Odysseus, deeply moved, could not hold back a tear, which he secretly wiped away so that Eumaeus wouldn’t see it and suspect something. "νόσφιν απομόρξατο δάκρυ" "he secretly wiped away his tear." Homer writes: Rhapsody ρ, Line 290 Thus they were speaking to each other, But the dog, lying down, lifted his head and ears; Argos, Odysseus’ faithful dog, whom he once raised but never got to enjoy, as Odysseus left early for sacred Ilion (Troy). 295. ... lying in a pile of dung spilled in front of the gates by mules and cattle, which the servants took to fertilize Odysseus' estate. 300. There Argos lay, full of ticks. The moment he sensed Odysseus near him, he wagged his tail and lowered both ears, but he couldn’t get up to reach him. Odysseus saw him from afar and secretly wiped away his tear so Eumaeus wouldn’t notice, and then he asked him: 305. "A wonder, this dog, Eumaeus, lying in the manure. He is good in body, but I’m not sure if he’s as swift as he is beautiful, or if he’s one of those table-fed dogs of men, kept only as an ornament by lords." 325. As he said this, he entered the well-built house and went straight into the hall with the shining suitors. And the fate of black death seized Argos, immediately after he saw Odysseus for the first time in twenty years.. Homer Pavlos✍️

Helen of Troy actress Lupita Nyong'o claps back at audience criticism of her being cast: “You can’t perform beauty," she said of the backlash. “I want to know who a character is. What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks? That’s the thing about doing such a well-known text, which has been studied and interpreted and derived from. “Research could be endless. The good thing about working with a writer like Chris is that it’s on the page." Is this the way she should be handling it or is it more cope for a hatchet job of Homer?