The Odyssey Group

Question:

stewvy
stewvy

Describe Odysseus' Grandfather Autolycus from Book 19 of "The Odyssey".

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Posted by stewvy on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 3:56 PM and tagged with autolycus, book 19, character, description, the odyssey.

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  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Autolycus was known as the most accomplished thief in the whole world.  He also helped Odysseus' parents name him.  He told them to

    "name the child 'Ulysses,' or the child of anger. When he grows up and comes to visit his mother's family on Mount Parnassus, where my possessions lie, I will make him a present and will send him on his way rejoicing."

    That was when Odysseus went to Parnassus and received the scar that Euryclea recognizes him by.  He went there to receive a present from his thief of a grandfather.

    the following site is the only place I could find the reading online.  Look at 3/4 down the page of Book 19 for the explanation of his grandfather.

    Sources:
    http://www.online-literature.com/homer/odyssey/19/

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    Posted by troutmiller on Wednesday December 3, 2008 at 1:54 PM