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[44] ‘How thou hast gained sight of him,’ i. e. “εἴ που ὄπωπας ὀφθαλμοῖσι τεοῖσιν ἢ ἄλλου μῦθον ἄκουσας” (3. 93). Strictly of course “ὀπωπή” applies only to the former alternative.

46-56. Ameis justly directs attention to the dramatic truth and propriety of this speech. Telemachus is still under the influence of the recognition scene, and is oppressed by the great secret of his father's presence in Ithaca. Consequently his reply to Penelope is brief and troubled. As she afterwards complains (ll. 104-106), he does not answer her question, or even tell her whether he has news of Ulysses or not. He bids her make vows to the immortals, and offer hecatombs if Zeus will grant retribution. This is like the answer of Hector when he was met at the Scaean gate by the Trojan women, who asked about their husbands and brothers ( Il.6. 240“ὁ δ᾽ ἔπειτα θεοῖς εὔχεσθαι ἀνώγει πάσας ἑξείης”). It was perhaps a recognized formula for refusing to say anything. Telemachus then pleads that he must hasten to the “ἀγορά”. It is only on his return, and when he has had time to collect himself, that he is ready to give Penelope a connected story of his journey.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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