DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.47071#0047
THE ODYSSEY
43
other cases the Homeric account is followed according to
which he came last on the Cyclops’ favourite ram ; in one
case this ram has a drooping carriage which suggests the
way in which the Cyclops addressed it - “ Now thou art
the very last. Surely thou art sorrowing for the eye of thy
lord, which an evil man blinded.” No attempt is made to
render the device of tying three sheep together with a man
under the middle one, nor of Odysseus clinging only to the
wool of the ram. In most of these representations the
Cyclops does not appear ; but in some he is represented
as seated on the ground at the entrance of his cave, and
feeling the sheep as they go out. It is not easy to decide
in this case whether the simpler form was the earlier one,
to which the Cyclops came later to be added, or whether
the more complete version is the earlier type, from which
portions were later selected. Both alike appear on earlier
and later vases, mostly black-figured ; the simpler form
is found on a red-figured example. The adventure with
Circe also appears both in simpler (or abbreviated)
and fuller form. The two main subjects are the trans-
formation of Odysseus’ companions into various kinds
of beasts, and their deliverance by Odysseus, who
threatens Circe with a sword. The presentation by
Hermes to Odysseus of the magic herb “ moly,” which
guards him against the power of Circe, is only found on
later monuments. The men changed to beasts are repre-
sented by human figures with beasts’ heads, as if to suggest
the Homeric statement that “ so had they the head and
voice, the bristles and the shape of swine, but their
mind abode even as of old.” Sometimes these figures
alone are to be seen, more often Circe is among them,
holding her magic cup and wand. In some cases she is
represented seated at her loom, in accordance with the
Homeric tale. The usual representation of the deliverance
43
other cases the Homeric account is followed according to
which he came last on the Cyclops’ favourite ram ; in one
case this ram has a drooping carriage which suggests the
way in which the Cyclops addressed it - “ Now thou art
the very last. Surely thou art sorrowing for the eye of thy
lord, which an evil man blinded.” No attempt is made to
render the device of tying three sheep together with a man
under the middle one, nor of Odysseus clinging only to the
wool of the ram. In most of these representations the
Cyclops does not appear ; but in some he is represented
as seated on the ground at the entrance of his cave, and
feeling the sheep as they go out. It is not easy to decide
in this case whether the simpler form was the earlier one,
to which the Cyclops came later to be added, or whether
the more complete version is the earlier type, from which
portions were later selected. Both alike appear on earlier
and later vases, mostly black-figured ; the simpler form
is found on a red-figured example. The adventure with
Circe also appears both in simpler (or abbreviated)
and fuller form. The two main subjects are the trans-
formation of Odysseus’ companions into various kinds
of beasts, and their deliverance by Odysseus, who
threatens Circe with a sword. The presentation by
Hermes to Odysseus of the magic herb “ moly,” which
guards him against the power of Circe, is only found on
later monuments. The men changed to beasts are repre-
sented by human figures with beasts’ heads, as if to suggest
the Homeric statement that “ so had they the head and
voice, the bristles and the shape of swine, but their
mind abode even as of old.” Sometimes these figures
alone are to be seen, more often Circe is among them,
holding her magic cup and wand. In some cases she is
represented seated at her loom, in accordance with the
Homeric tale. The usual representation of the deliverance