Transcription
Before we take you on this adventure, we invite you to come with us to discover these now solitary and silent places where everything truly began. We are on the Turkish shore of the Dardanelles Strait. Here is the plain of Troy, where, some 3000 years ago, the fabulous battles that Homer tells us about took place. These stones on the hill are all that remains of the city. If one visits these ruins, one discovers the traces of 9 cities, successively built one upon the other. The first, barely discernible in the lower layers of excavations, was hardly more than a Neolithic village. The second to last was a great Mycenaean fortress with solid walls, the one Homer sang about. And the last one, it was splendid and happy before being annihilated by the Achaeans around the year 1000 or 200 BC. Why was it destroyed? If tradition is to be believed, for a woman, Helen, wife of Menelaus, abducted by the Trojan Paris. It was probably for entirely different reasons, but time has lost them. Troy was not to be reborn. The wind buried its ruins under the sand, and one began to doubt that it ever existed. One doubted it until an archaeologist who believed in Homer rediscovered it. He was a German named Schliemann, and this happened barely 100 years ago. By excavating the soil, they then found the sacred road that led to the citadel and the gates where Homer situated the 12 conversations between Hector and Andromache. Today, the visitor can again imagine what happened so long ago on the shores of the Hellespont. And if, returning towards Europe, he stops at the museum in Athens to contemplate the chiseled gold death masks of mythological heroes, he finds those Achaeans who were the conquerors of Troy. These very ones who, after the massacre, undertook the interminable and perilous journey back to their homeland. This is what the Odyssey recounts.
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Listen, mortals. They say that all their misfortune comes from us, whereas by their folly they worsen the evils that destiny had already assigned them. My heart is torn to see the Earth suffer so. Is its sad fate so indifferent to him? Did he not, by his sacrifices on the plain of Troy, have to taste my daughter? How can one forget this Odysseus who, by his spirit, surpasses and excels the other mortals? No, it is Poseidon who is relentless in pursuing the Cyclops, his son, the divine Polyphemus, blinded by Odysseus and without killing him. He keeps him away from his native island. But if we all here decide on the return of this wise man, Poseidon should stifle his anger and submit to our opinion. Whatever he may think, if it is the will of the gods that Odysseus return to his home, I will go to Ithaca to infuse strength into the tears of his son. Upon these words, Athena, daughter of Zeus, descends from the summit of Olympus and comes to Ithaca, where Odysseus's house is. She takes on a human appearance, as the gods most often do to show themselves to men. She presents herself in the guise of Mentor, the king of the Taphians.
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In the house, a woman weaves an interminable tapestry. It is Penelope, the daughter, the wife of Odysseus. She rarely leaves this place, which was her bridal chamber, dedicating all her thoughts to the memory of her husband, disappeared for 20 years. Fearing what the gods reserve for her son and for herself.
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Welcome, stranger. I greet you. Come, enter. My house and yours. So, it is you, Telemachus. You are the son of Odysseus. My mother calls me so, and this name, I have never yet heard from the lips of Odysseus. The stranger, another has arrived. Follow me, stranger. Eurycleia, daughter of Ops, bought as a slave when she was a child, was the nurse of Odysseus. Telemachus. Eurycleia, a stranger has arrived.
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Do not keep too much hope. Beware, beware, Penelope. The world is full of vagabonds who travel under false pretenses, inventing beautiful stories to gain the trust of the naive. He will be like the others, like all those who have given you news of Odysseus, the news you hoped for.
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Chief of state. My ship is anchored in the bay that overlooks the sea, at the foot of the mountain. So, you know it? I know it, and very well indeed. For years, I have heard of your father. I have heard that your father has returned. We still know nothing about him.
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They are all these people. They lay down their arms at the threshold of the palace but behave like masters. Moreover, I see that they are worthy, perhaps because I myself neglect them. Are they guests from my father's time? But as you can see, times have changed. To live in this shame, and my fate today. Look at all that is happening. The throne. They come to plunder my house, a little more each day. These suitors, they are princes from neighboring islands. They are the lords of Ithaca. They want my mother for a wife, and your mother is forced to remarry. She would not want to. She does not have the courage to oppose it. I understand her weakness. And how long has this been going on? Long enough to devour all my possessions. And you see, that is what they are doing.
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Today again, they will take a calf. Today, they will defile the house and make it a pigsty. At this hour, no, worse, because the thief flees, he fears being discovered, he is pursued, and even killed in the end. But this is not the case. It would take your father. My father? Yes, Odysseus. Suddenly, he stands in the middle of the feast, helmet on his brow, shield and bow in hand. What a wedding! But you, listen to me well. Listen to my advice. Go seek news, and if from a reliable source you learn that he is dead, then you will erect the funeral monument on the shore, and then you will give your mother to a husband. But if from another source you know that he is alive, Telemachus, I am not there, but I feel in my heart that he is alive. But I must leave. The crew now.
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I beg you, stranger, stay here. Do as I told you. Telemachus, be strong. A friend of your father. Athena disappears like a seabird. But the goddess has given Telemachus audacity and energy, and above all, the irresistible desire to find his father. This is what the deeds of heroes are sung of. Danaans, or whoever he may be, a famous man among the Achaeans, would not dare to do so in the very house of Odysseus. The suitors, they have not forced him.
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Why always sing of the Trojan War? But, Eumaeus, if you wish, take another subject, for example, the love of the warriors' misfortunes upon their return from Troy. And besides, you know that it diverts them from the others in this palace. Why are you here? Where is this stranger? What does he want? Does he bring news? But what news? A new adventure has begun. He left. Was he? Why not tell your mother? My mother is too fond of diviners, of strangers who pass by, and she lets herself be fooled by their flattering words. Should I encourage her for that? Too many people mock me. You, do not be discouraged. I will return to my father's house, and this is the path that your heart dictates.
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Where are your hopes, and what do you do with mine? How much longer must I endure this daily shame of insolence? Return to your room and stay as far as possible from their eyes. My mother, by the grace of God, today I learned that the child I was has given way to the man, and that from this moment, I must act as a master.
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Listen to me, all you suitors of my mother. I summon the people of Ithaca to an assembly, and when you see them there... So, what is this story of an assembly, all of a sudden? Who could have suggested it to him? What is preoccupying him? This is nothing less than a child's whim. He is playing at assembly. Let us be his playmates. Let us go to the assembly. I don't like surprises much, for my part. Me neither. But there will be no people anyway. We will keep our weapons, which, in our opinion, will give much more weight. Eumaeus, continue.
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Also, goats were on the precious spoils that each ship was to take away. Some of them, alas, embarked without knowing how to read. A vengeful god, with the map of home. The battles had shed too much blood. Ajax, first. Minos, with his crew, plunges into the sea. But alas, in his turn, he encounters a storm. He sees more than one ship perish before his eyes. But for one happy child, the voyage, he disembarks without harm. He is welcomed as a hero. The whole palace awaits him. It is honor, it is glory. Then, everything is divine. Even for the courtiers who, not thinking, sought to profit from it. Just pierce him with his sword. He was drowned in his blood. Kings themselves can change nothing of the decision of the gods. At night, each of the suitors finally returns to his own home. Telemachus closes the doors of the palace. You, whom I raised as a son for your father, I have known this family for a long time, and although a slave in this house, I was treated like the wife. The alert. If he had not feared conjugal scenes and jealousy. But why? Because today, in you, I have found your father. Wait, the assembly has not been convened in Ithaca. And Telemachus's call surprises the Achaeans. Antinous speaks first. He is one of the most influential citizens of the city. He has learned that a stranger has presented himself at the palace and spoken to Telemachus. Is that the reason for the convocation? Perhaps he has brought some news about the missing army. Whatever the case, we are ready to listen to what Telemachus wants to tell us, very serious things that we must not ignore. Let him be given the floor. From now on, he is a man. Eumaeus had received from Odysseus, his friend, the charge of watching over Telemachus, a charge he fulfilled without the slightest failure. I address myself here to all of you who knew my father, or at least who still remember him. And perhaps all here have forgotten him. No, you are mistaken. This land was once a happy land until the fatal morning when we were told that we had to go to war against the city of Troy. And to our misfortune, we have this country. So, on the ships accompanying Odysseus, we saw the best of our sons leave. No, we have not forgotten Odysseus. Odysseus is the finger of the gods.
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You cannot bear arms in the assembly to violate the freedom of the people and the king's house. But what king are you talking about? We have been deprived of it for 20 years, liar.
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Sit down. Respect the assembly. You place your hopes in my father's death, all of you who have no respect for my mother's fidelity and want to force her to remarry. They are here every day, occupying my house, devouring my cattle, drinking my wine. I do not have my father's strength, but even if I did, I could not chase them away alone. That is why I implore you, help me to save my house. Do not be mistaken, your honor, and perhaps some debts you owe to your son, and satisfy them. Then I urge you to settle this credit before all these wolves devour you. It is my reason. On the contrary, but our mother, for three years, has made promises to each of us. All our gifts have been accepted, then returned without ever saying no. We have been made to wait. We have waited. Then, day after day, princes from neighboring islands arrived, and then from abroad, without us being told anything. Who will confront them then? And then, the inventory. Also, the stratagem of an endless tapestry. We say, wait, wait. Will you wait until I buy the shroud intended for my husband's father? This is the last of the ties that bind me to Odysseus, to this house. I would not want the Achaean women to judge me poorly, seeing me return. To my father, before accomplishing this ultimate duty. We respected this desire. But now, more than ten years have passed. The thing is done, and on the loom, the linen stretches. This woman, with perfidy in her soul. What we all want here from Telemachus is that he send Penelope away. It is his father who will prepare new nuptials for him and let us know as soon as possible which of the suitors he himself will have chosen. Why you yourselves then? No, make the request. We are the suitors. But we must not. It is you who must decide to make it first. I cannot send my mother away. It is effective. Then we will stay here in your house until your mother finally unravels it. I am not obliged to be an unworthy son and to surprise my father. Your father is dead. How many years have passed since the day he left Troy? None since then. We have heard nothing more of him. Never. And even if he were somewhere in the world today, I say that after 10 years, he is dead for Ithaca, he is dead for the queen, and he is dead for us, because too absent, our wounds are renewed. Because what you said is true, our sons are also dead, his companions of Odysseus, disappeared with him. It is hard for us to believe, but despite the years, hope is not dead. We must still hope. And if you say that out of pure ambition, I will invoke the gods, I will demand vengeance. I will beg them to make you all perish.
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Here, everything happens. Yes, everything that I had been able to read and discover in the entrails of the bull at the departure of Odysseus. I know that after his return, there will be a massacre. I say that the twentieth year will be one of joy, but also of darkness. That is enough to satisfy me, a hundred times more than mine. Go back to your house, Eumaeus. And you, all you suitors of my mother, I will not beg you anymore. I ask you for one thing: give me a boat and some companions. I will go in search of my father. If I learn that he is still alive, I will wait another year. If I know that he is dead, I will erect the tombstone here. I will send my mother back to Ithaca to give her a husband. Listen to me, people. I will not attack the princes, the suitors, their privileges. It is their heads they are playing with if Odysseus returns. But I am attacking you, the other people, who remain silent, without a word of blame. You, who are numerous, however numerous they may be, we have enough weapons to discourage the warlike desire of anyone. Yes, even your father. Yes, Odysseus himself. And I assure you that Penelope would not rejoice at his return if he wanted to stand against us, because we would turn him away like a dog. Useless citizens. Assembly, immediately. Go out. Let each of you return to his home. Everyone out.
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The failure of the debates is expected. Athena decides to take the appearance of Mentor. There are many ships in the ports.
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You will be given your opinion. And if you are going to search for your father, this journey, I will make it, and even without you. Would that truly be what you wish? Our ability to your dogs upon your return from the journey? No, but he will go to buy poison to implement what you would give us to share your goods if you did not return from the journey. Your house, of course, since it would belong to the one who chooses your mother.
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You, who yesterday still came to honor my house, you, who, you, who knew how to give my heart hope and courage. My pace, let me return to Ithaca. I beg you, I beg you. What are you doing here? I am waiting for a ship. A ship? Why, of course. You also think I am a child. I am going on a journey. I must go to Pylos, to Nestor. He was also at Troy. If anyone can know something, it will be him. Certainly, Odysseus is dead, my son. Who are you looking for there? And think that if you really left, what mortal fate would await you upon your return? Stay here, Telemachus, and defend your house. It would be a great misfortune if you too were lost like Odysseus. You will say nothing to anyone. Swear it. Not even to your mother. Not even to her, unless she worries too much. I would not want tears to fade her beauty.
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The ship chosen by the goddess glides on the channel.
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The sun slowly disappears on the horizon. Soon it will be night. Still in the guise of Mentor, Athena directs the awaited boat towards Telemachus. She has provided him with a good crew and filled its holds with provisions. The sailors bring out another jug of wine to drink to the glory of the gods.
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In the palace, however, like every night for 20 years, Penelope has returned to her loom to unravel the tapestry she wove during the day. Help me.
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Eumaeus is not there. He has not returned.
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Penelope had raised Melantho like her own daughter, and she alone was not paid in return, for here is revealed the posture of this tapestry that was woven during the day and unraveled at night. Is this your way of respecting your promises? She has made a tapestry more than sufficient for the body of the deceased. And here are your possessions revealed. Now, stain these seven stars. How could I then avoid marriage? Come, the sun lies to the calm sea, making the firmament of the gods and the earth of men shine with splendor. The ship arrives in sight of Pylos, the homeland of Nestor, the oldest of the victors of Troy. Several Achaeans. Nestor has long since returned to his native country.
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This morning, Nestor and his family are making a sacrifice to the brother of Zeus, the god Poseidon, who reigns over the sea.
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Nestor and his sons bring the fat black bull, its horns adorned.
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The awakening in my heart. The sad days spent under the ramparts of Troy. There, the best of us remained: Ajax and my son Antilochus, companion of Odysseus. This war was long, 9 years, just as we fought Troy and its allies. If victory was finally the fruit of our skill, Zeus above all allowed the undertaking, giving our minds the idea of strategy. But during these years, no one could ever equal your father in ingenuity, in strength of soul, in cunning. What he did not know. So, I want you to know how much you were everywhere, at all times, the course of his spirit. But even more, perhaps, what I loved in him was the great prudence of his heart. Never between us two, a disagreement. And these three unions had a happy influence on our warriors. And alas, when the city was destroyed, and riches and women were shared among us, a god divided us because in victory we had not known how to be reasonable or just among ourselves. Discord arose among us. So, among others, you took the time to prepare for the daughter of Zeus a sacrifice to appease her wrath. It was doing well, a little care for the immortals. After a thousand discussions, all of Menelaus's men left, and Agamemnon's fleet remained stranded on the beach. Then it was a sacrifice. We asked for the way back, but the wrath of Zeus remained the same. We arrived at the horses, and without having too many losses to suffer, a quarrel broke out between whom, I do not remember. But I know that after this new blow, a trace remained. It was in parallel for all of us. We no longer knew what to do to appease the rigor of the gods. Diomedes and I embarked as soon as possible, putting on the B some divine breezes. Then he brought us back to the reverse. Your father decided to return to the shores of Troy to preach wisdom to King Agamemnon. We have never heard from him again. Here are my sons, whom you do not yet know. Hail, son of Odysseus, Telemachus. And now, listen to the reasons that led you to this journey. They are commendable. Unfortunately, I can say no more. But I know someone, perhaps, who could know more about your father's fate. But alas, everyone. He returned last. He traveled a long time ago. We must disembark where your father perhaps had already passed. Go, find this wise man. My sons will guide you. You can, if you wish, leave tomorrow at dawn.
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So, it is you who gave the boat to Eumaeus. Or not. For what reason would I have refused? Eumaeus is free to give a boat to whomever he wants. When they saw a god on the ship, they became enraged. Then, above all, rage filled their hearts. Antinous, above all, and furious. Do not provoke their vengeance.
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I gave him great hearts. This ship, and many were those who wanted to leave with him. For the sake of the gods, may they find Odysseus. May we be delivered from all these arrogant people. Truly, this infant is an insolent call. If it were up to me, he would have long ago returned to the kingdom of shadows. How many left with him? And for the ship, who helped him? We should have eliminated him before the assembly. But here, you cannot imagine that Telemachus. But why do you think that Telemachus could become dangerous? What do we know? One day, perhaps. Agreed. He left for the continent. But we know very well that no one there will dare to stand against us. A future awaits us. We will await his return to Ithaca and his house. Then, Telemachus, I think he will not see his house again. But the hero goes to Penelope. Some new pretensions. I think new masters. Is he complaining about my hospitality? Perhaps not. My godmother, I am here only to prove my fidelity. Fidelity? What fidelity? Do you still remember, like all the others, the kindness, the generosity of Odysseus? I came to tell you that your son has left. He is in Ithaca. He left last night on a ship. But I do not know where he went. What? I alone knew. He had made me promise not to tell you anything. He did not want tears to fade your face. He left. Why? Why then? On a ship. Where was he going? He is still too young to guide himself, to decide his death. The ambush is planned for his return to Ithaca. And his mother.
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Why did he leave? First the father, then the son.
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Why did he not want to tell me anything?
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Why did he leave, finally? Why?
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We must not despair, my queen.
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He went in search of his father. He will return. He will return soon, without telling me anything.
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You must not consider yourself alone. I wish he had never been born. Death is at every moment.
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You, daughter of Zeus, you, listen. Save my son, my child.
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Telemachus and Nestor's son arrive at the ramparts of Sparta, Queen Helen. I see a real city for the first time. And you will also see her welcome Helen, for whom all the princes of the earth had vied, for whom Menelaus, among them all, had been chosen.
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Helen, daughter of Leda, begotten by Zeus. Helen, the fatal news. Since the memory of your father, Nestor is always dear to my heart. I bring you another. He comes from Ithaca. He is the son of Odysseus. Let me have the pleasure of saying his name. I know that your name is Telemachus. I want by this to demonstrate that I have not forgotten your father, nor all those who, for me, left their homeland to come to Troy. These Achaean princes who leave their country to face the sea to come to Troy. Too many of them found death. Is it my fault that you have never yet known your father? Why do you tell me that, Helen? He is dead. I do not know. I know very little about what is happening now. I can only speak of things of the past. Telemachus, I can tell you where and how I last saw Odysseus. My father advised me to ask Menelaus if he had heard anything about Odysseus's return. He has returned recently, and he has encountered many peoples and seen many countries during this long journey. Yes, perhaps he came with me.
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Haunted by dark thoughts, Menelaus was preparing his funeral mask. Like Odysseus, he had been at sea for a long time before finding his native land. Eight years of peril and uncertainty had consumed his youth. Moreover, the disappearance of Odysseus seemed to him a fatal omen for the fate of all the princes. Well, here is my house. The son of my mistress, the dearest of all my friends. Welcome, my boy. Let me look at you again. The son of Odysseus. He needs you. But alas, the wise Nestor advised him to come to you to get news of his father. He always gives good advice, wise Nestor. When you come, I would have wanted to honor your father. I had given him a life as great as this one. I took him from Ithaca, and we would have lived together for the rest of the years that the gods grant to each of us. But destiny has decided otherwise. However, it is useless to talk about these things that could not be. Telemachus's house is now invaded by people who steal from him and threaten him. I have been informed of everything that is happening in Ithaca. But you, my boy, what are you tolerating? Is the people against you, against your mother? I tried to raise the people, but they want a king, not a child. That is why I can do nothing. From now on, anyone is able to seize the throne, because my mother cannot resist alone. No one can help her. Odysseus would have to return. This war, how disastrous it was, and how terrible are its consequences. Look at the weapons of my brother, my father, killed at the threshold of his house upon his return from Troy. He did not receive death fighting an enemy worthy of him. No, he was not swallowed by the sea like many of ours. No, but assassinated very cruelly. And I, I have no more joy, nor on my head. This is the price I paid for this war that we, we wanted. My questions. I feel there is something else. Why don't you tell me everything you know about my father? I address myself to you, queen. I ask you, I implore you. I read in your eyes, and in our meeting, that a hidden truth lies beneath the benevolent welcome. I beg you, speak without pity. I beg you, if my father is dead, tell me. We know something about your father. But I know it. If you have the necessary courage to learn it. Yet, since it is so, listen to me with firmness. Your father is alive, but it is as if he were dead. I owe this assurance to Proteus, the seer. He saw him a prisoner of the sea. His ship is lost, his companions are dead. He cannot, therefore, enter his homeland.
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At this moment, Helen pours into the bath she is preparing to drink a divine drug that possesses the power to calm pain and anger, bringing oblivion of sorrows and torments.
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Drink. Listen to me. I will tell you ancient things that may help to understand what happened. I do not want to remind you of all of Odysseus's exploits, but only one of them. Only I know. Then Helen said: It was the last year, the last of Troy. I was waiting for the gods to decide the victor, anxious about the fate that would be reserved for me once victory was achieved. I was in the temple of Apollo, where Cassandra was making a sacrifice to the god so that he would be merciful to us. You, who of all the gods remain the only friend of this unhappy city, tell me what you know. Rest for a moment. I mean you no harm. Where do you come from? I am a soldier, with you for many years, to defend the city against the Achaeans. Tonight, I was drawn, unwillingly, into a brawl between soldiers. I escaped into this temple. No one will dare to look for me here.
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Wounds, and your face is a mask of blood. You scare me. But perhaps it is I, I who always see blood around me. No, really, the war is not. Even the miserable that I am. Could you give me something, poor soldier? Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer you. No, alas, except advice. Then, if you can, go far away from this city, condemned by the gods. This city, already full of dead people. Why do you say that? Is it your oracle speaking in you? Do you not know me? Cassandre, daughter of Priam. It is the god Apollo who speaks through my mouth. But no one listens to me. I will listen to you. But can I believe you? You say the city is condemned, while your walls are intact, impregnable. For nine years already, the city has resisted. There are not enough soldiers for us to see this city fall. One will be enough to bring it to its knees, or for it to lack water.
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Is it a pestilence that decimates the people? Oh yes, it will be heard.
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Stop, stranger. I do not fear your sight. My face is bathed in blood, but the wounds are strange. It seems you inflicted them on yourself. Why are you afraid of being recognized? You cannot deceive me. As a Phrygian, the life of Troy. You are an enemy who has furtively entered the city. But with these wounds, you have come to set some traps. And then, you appear. You emerge from a distant past. You choose the night, under a horrible mask of blood. But I know, you are Odysseus. It is you, and I tremble. Not at your sight, but because you have entered the city. I had followed you, wondering if you would have the audacity to enter the temple, so close to Priam's house. And why? Because I was sure to find you here. Because I know that you will want to hide here when the city is conquered and your husband comes to claim the prize of his victory. What you tell me will never happen, unless the Trojans first take revenge on you for these fatal years that they owe you. You came as a spy. I heard you. You took advantage of Cassandra's innocence to learn things you cannot know about the city and the soldiers. I should kill you. No, you will not do it, because you are Greek, and Greek you remain in your heart, even though we have endured years of suffering because of you. Let me. No, I don't want to hear you anymore. I will not denounce you, but I beg you, leave this temple and leave me my destiny. Oh, my destiny, whatever it may be. You tremble. Who would have feared? You are the daughter of Zeus. No. If you knew how much I cried for the fault that Aphrodite once pushed me to.
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When the gods dispose of us, cities and passions, more than that. So, what is holding you here? Do you see anyone in the city of Troy who believed, and still believes, that Helen's destiny is worthy of pity? It is the master of this house, Priam. Priam, who because of me, saw his sons die. He lost Hector, lost Paris. We have only seen death, blood, and tears. You heard Cassandra. How many more will die? I reproach myself when I went with Paris. He left me like his daughter, and from this house, I am still his daughter. That is why I will stay until the end. If you speak of the end, it is not that of Troy that you are thinking of. Then you will not have Helen waiting much longer. I did not want this war, but I am forced into it. I want his presence. Let it end, and by any means. Everything I have seen today in the city is enough for my plan. What is your plan, Odysseus? You have a reputation for being a cunning man. Is it through this flaw that you build your future renown? It is the accents of men that have led me to make this choice.
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I will do it with courage, for the good of all. Has this decision occupied his mind for a long time? Perhaps at this very moment, wherever he may be.
[Applause]
She withdraws to her room, far from the noise of the feast. Penelope worries about Telemachus. Even if the gods protect him all along his route, how will he face the suitors upon his return? And her heart fills with anguish.
[Music]
She finally falls asleep. Her limbs relax. This is the moment I choose. Athena appears in the form of Iphthime, Penelope's sister. Penelope, the gods wish you only good. Indeed, it is you. Yes, it is me, your sister. It has been a long time since I saw you. Thank you. Why did you come to Ithaca? Why? But to assist you. So, you know that I have lost my husband and that my son has abandoned me. Yes, I know. But Penelope, hope. But I am afraid. The princes, the suitors want to kill me. A trap is being set for him. They will set a trap for him in Ithaca. And his mother. If the gods, again, have willed to keep my son away from the perils of the journey. The mother, who has no experience. Astonishing. My child, he has never been away. No more fear, Penelope. Athena has had pity.
Of you and you will see your hands again. You can hear his voice, but then tell me [Music]. After being caught many times in the storm, carried away by the swell and the encounters, pushed by the fury of Aeolus, crushed by the anger of Poseidon, the raft had until now resisted all the ancient. Ulysses kept hope in the depths of his heart [Music]. But the sea, relentlessly, glides between the logs, seeking to untie the ropes that bind them. Tirelessly, Ulysses re-tightens them. Sometimes the sail is limp, inert, sometimes it vibrates, making the mast creak as if to break. The wind, like a contrary pleasure, thwarts all maneuvers. It is an endless struggle, night as well as day. But each time, the memory of Ithaca gives courage back to Ulysses, who wants with all his might to find Penelope and to know this son he has never seen [Music]. Fiercely, he fights one battle after another, but each time he wonders, how long can I still resist? How many times must I endure this agony? [Music]. It had been 17 days since the raft drifted at the mercy of the wind and currents. Ulysses could only note that he was heading towards Lorient, where his homeland was [Music]. The first days, he had suffered little, only from solitude [Music]. [Music]. On the tenth day, thirst was added [Music]. [Music]. [Music]. [Music]. Under the burning sun, he feared losing his mind. Now, it's all over, he thinks. There is nothing left for me but the abyss of death. Happy are those who fell under the ramparts of Troy. If I had perished there, struck by a spear, I would at least have had funeral honors, and the Achaeans could have celebrated my memory. Whereas no one will ever know my pitiful end [Music]. On the 18th day, a land appears, which seems to him in the distance like a shield placed on the horizon. Already, a new solar storm. From the top of Mount Solymos, Poseidon saw it, and his fury redoubled. The gods, he thinks, have changed their minds about Ulysses and have allowed him to approach a land where his woes will end. But my vengeance is not satisfied. He will still suffer my wrath, and the god of the sea gathers the clouds, churns the divine waves [Music]. While his sufferings are not over, Poseidon unleashes the sea. He makes the Euroclydon and the Notos howl. A wave carries Ulysses away from the raft [Music]. Athena blocks the wind, calms the waves, and allows Ulysses to reach the coast [Music]. He kisses the land [Music]. Addressing the flowers, he says, "I come to you, Lord. I am in the sea, and you are there. I am your debtor. Have pity on me [Music]." And as one hides embers under ashes to preserve the fire, Ulysses covers himself with leaves [Music]. Athena procures him a dreamless sleep, then she goes to the city. She prepares his arrival. She penetrates like a breath into the golden chamber of Nausicaa, the daughter of Alcinous, and enters her dream, disguised as a friend of the young girl [Music]. "Your mother reminds you of this negligence, to the point that you let the laundry lie abandoned. Think that your wedding is approaching. You must be beautiful, your clothes and those of your entourage must be brilliant. Many young Phaeacian women desire you as a wife [Music]." "My dear, we must go to the river together so that this task is accomplished more quickly. Father will lend us the mules and the cart. The rest of the road, you know, is long, and the day will be hard [Music]." On the fields of bristly, dirty bushes, Ulysses frightens the servant girls, who flee. Only Nausicaa remains. Encouraged by the memory of her dream, Ulysses does not know what to do. Should he throw himself at the young girl's knees or beg her from afar so as not to frighten her? "Are you a goddess or a mortal? Your beauty borders on the divine. Are you one of the immortal daughters of Zeus? You are washing clothes in the river, but you did not flee. You are not afraid of me. I beg you, what country is yours? I was cast on this beach at nightfall and do not know how I have resisted the sea until today. Help me, I beg you. I harbor no perfidy in my heart, and I am not a malicious man. Believe me, I beg you. Inherit from me. Wash yourself and dress. My servant girls will bring you clothes." Ulysses continues to stand apart on the beach. "It is not against the will of the gods that this man has been able to come to us," Nausicaa says to herself. "His very appearance resembles that of the immortals, and it pleases me that he stays and lives among us [Music]." "Thrice happy your father and mother, thrice happy your brothers, but even more so he who one day will lead you to his home. Would you like to eat? [Music]." "My name is Nausicaa. What is your name? The Phaeacian people inhabit this country. Fear nothing among us. I will lead you to my father." "And who is your father? [Music]." "You will soon have to stop following us. But how to find the city? Look at this stranger led by Nausicaa. What does she want to do with this handsome stranger? Some might think she wants to marry him, and would especially say that I went to the river to meet you. How many young Phaeacian women would feel hurt in their pride? Tell me, could you yourself blame them? What would you think of a young girl in the company of a stranger before her wedding? Remember, especially upon arriving at the palace, it is my mother first that you must implore [Music]." "She protected me, but I am sure of it, at the cry of my distress, while Poseidon held me under his yoke. May she and her husband receive me as a friend." The goddess listens, disguised as a young girl of the country. But fearing Poseidon's anger, she contents herself with murmuring without being seen. "Above all, do not ask anyone the slightest question before arriving at the palace. You too, upon arrival, it is the king's palace. The Phaeacians are waiting, for you have been seen, Ulysses, by many [Music]." "The Phaeacian people do not like strangers. It is only suspicion. They see no hatred. It is up to you to seduce them. You will have to endure many questions. They will often look at you with surprise. Remain courageous, keep your strength. A man who has nothing left can always overcome obstacles everywhere, even in unknown places [Music]." "I come to you unarmed, on a raft, and I ask only for your hospitality, or that you, your wife, and your people may forever enjoy the favor of the gods. O king, in the name of your help, I implore the queen, the wise Arete, daughter of Rhexenor, the brother of Alcinous, who has become her husband. They are related to the gods. Poseidon, through Periboea, the daughter of the proud Eurymedon, once king of the giants. You know everything now about divine license, about what you must pray for your return. Be prudent and upright. In Arete, you can have full confidence. Everyone in the people respects her and pays homage to her for her great wisdom and her work of peace [Music]." [Music]. [Music]. [Music]. [Music]. [Music]. [Music]. Ulysses has been fasting for many days. So, putting aside the cramps in his heart, he is currently concerned only with his body. And although he dislikes drinking and eating while everyone is watching him, he understands that he must give in to the curiosity of these others if he wants them to measure his distress and appreciate how much he needs their help [Music]. [Music]. "We have welcomed you, stranger, as another sent by the gods. Would you now tell us who you are, where you come from, and how you arrived here?" "I am a simple navigator. My country is far away. Many events and misadventures have brought me to you." "We understand, but you have not yet told us your name." "The name of a shipwrecked man. But what does the name of the man who no longer has a chest and a body matter? What do you want me to tell you? I sense in your heart dignity, nobility." "You say you are alone. Yes, but your ship was your companion." "I no longer have companions or a ship for a long time. On a raft, 18 days of travel. I had no more water, no more food, nothing. Everything was consumed. Hope was lost when I saw your land. But where do you come from, stranger?" "Eight years ago, the winds and sea currents pushed my ship towards the West, where there is no inhabited land. A storm broke on the shores of the island of Ogygia and scattered the wreckage. All my companions perished. I was taken in by a goddess named Calypso. If I am still alive, it is thanks to her care. She predicted my return, but only once I was restored. Despite my prayers, she no longer wanted to let me go. Then, 20 days ago, for some obscure reason, she told me to leave and gave me the means to build a raft." "You are a shipwrecked man, that's what you said. You came without a guide to the palace, and the tunic you are wearing belongs to my sons. Who gave it to you?" "Then you gave it to me. Your daughter, whom I met this morning on the beach, at the hour when the sun was waking me up. She was the first to take pity on me. My daughter was deceived by her great youth. She herself should have led you to the palace instead of hiding you at the moment of your arrival." "Do not blame her for anything. It is I who prayed so that she would not incur your anger. My presence would have been too much." "It is you who are mistaken now, Alcinous. To get angry without reason, and you took that risk. It is commendable. However, hospitality is of great value, for we have known malevolence in the past. Our people, long ago, lived on an island a few leagues from the land of the Cyclopes. But their close neighbors, the Telchines, constantly attacked them. So my father decided to transfer his people to a place far from everyone and from all maritime routes. On this island, you will never be a stranger. We have called this land Scheria. But we have not given names to the springs, the rivers, the mountains that a traveler can indicate to another. The isolation we have chosen is the price of our peace. The price may seem high, but peace has no price. Now you understand why we do not like strangers arriving so unexpectedly [Music]." "That happened because of a dream." "No, do not say anything. Your father is right. How could I present myself? And then, close to my bed, I heard the voice of my friend, the daughter of Dymas, that great shipowner. She said, 'Your age is in this state. We will leave tomorrow morning, and we will wash in the river.' And so, this morning, I went to the river. It is there that I met the stranger." "I do not know who you are, but I know for sure that dreams give innocent souls their message from God. A god protects you and wants you to be welcome among us [Music]." Alcinous, seeing that his mysterious guest does not sleep and thinking that worry torments his spirit, decides to give Ulysses some information about the Phaeacians and their people [Music]. "You are not sleeping, tired, yet the sky of Phaeacia is very clear." "It is true. Yes, the stars here are always very bright. A navigator cannot orient himself by our sky. I have looked at these stars many times when I was searching for my way and trying in vain to head towards the country you know." "Yes, but they did not lead me there." "He says only that it is not very far. The inclination of the Great Bear indicates it without error. Whatever the case, the gods watch over you, for it is perilous to approach our land when the empire is simple. Moreover, the skill of our sailors is unequalled. Never on this sea has any ship or man been lost. This is a warning and is not aimed at those whose intentions are hateful. And why is this ship, built in this place, not destined to face the sea?" "My father had predicted that one of our ships would one day bring a hated man to his homeland. This could draw upon us the anger of the gods. So he decided to build here a ship that would teach us about immortality [Music]."