Aphrodite in The Odyssey: A Tale of Sex, Hubris, and Humiliation

Aphrodite in the odysseyWhy did Homer mention Aphrodite in The Odyssey? She doesn’t even appear in person, but only as a character in a bard’s song. Is it just an entertaining story, or did Homer make a specific point?

Keep reading to find out!

What Is the Role of Aphrodite in The Odyssey? A Bard’s Snarky Remark

Though she made several appearances during The Iliad, Aphrodite’s role in The Odyssey is extremely small. Demodocus, the court bard of the Phaeacians, sings a narrative about Aphrodite as entertainment for their guest, the disguised Odysseus. The story concerns the infidelity of Aphrodite and Ares and how they were caught and shamed by her husband, Hephaestus.

Homer uses his fictional bard, Demodocus, to deliver yet another cautionary tale against hubris. The Odyssey is full of such stories; Indeed, Odysseus endures his ten years of exile precisely as a punishment for his acts of hubris.

The interjection of Aphrodite’s tale is Demodocus’ reaction to the hubris displayed by the young, headstrong men in the Phaeacian court. By choosing at that moment to sing about Aphrodite’s humiliation, Demodocus is making a snarky comment about the virile young men who were just put in their place by their old, mysterious visitor.

Let’s briefly explain the events that led to the singing of Aphrodite’s story and then examine the song itself. By understanding the hubristic actions of the courtiers, it is easy to see how Demodocus uses his choice of entertainment to poke fun at the courtiers in public.

Rapid Recap: Seven Books of The Odyssey in Four Paragraphs

The first four books of The Odyssey describe the end of the story, when Odysseus’ home is plagued by arrogant suitors hoping to wed his wife, Penelope. His son, Telemachus, endures their taunts, jeers, and threats, but he alone can do nothing to protect his father’s house. Desperate for information, he travels to the courts of Nestor and Menelaus, who fought with Odysseus in the Trojan War. At last, Telemachus hears that Odysseus is still alive and will soon return home following the nostos concept.

As Book Five opens, the narrative shifts to Odysseus. Zeus, the king of gods, decrees that the goddess Calypso must set Odysseus free, and she reluctantly allows him to sail away. Despite one last storm sent by the vengeful Poseidon, Odysseus arrives, naked and battered, on the island of Scheria. In Book Six, the Phaeacian princess Nausicaa offers him aid and points him toward her father’s court.

Book Seven relates Odysseus’ generous welcome by King Alcinous and Queen Arete. Though he remains anonymous, Odysseus explains how he appeared on their island in such a wretched state. Alcinous provides the weary Odysseus with nourishing food and a bed, promising a feast and entertainment the next day.

Book 8: Feasting, Entertainment, and Sport in the Phaeacian Court

At dawn, Alcinous calls the court and proposes preparing a ship and crew to take the mysterious stranger home. While they wait, they all join Alcinous in the great hall for a day of celebration, with Odysseus in the seat of honor. After a sumptuous feast, the blind bard Demodocus performs a song about the Trojan War, specifically, the argument between Odysseus and Achilles. Though Odysseus tries to hide his tears, Alcinous notices and quickly interrupts to redirect everyone to the athletic games.

Many handsome, muscular men compete in the games, including Prince Laodamas, “who had no equal” and Euryalus, “a match for man-destroying Ares, god of war.” Laodamas politely asks if Odysseus would ease his sorrow by joining the games, and Odysseus graciously refuses. Unfortunately, Euryalus forgets his manners and taunts Odysseus, letting hubris get the best of him:

“No, no, stranger. I don’t see you

As someone with much skill in competition —

Not a real man, the sort one often meets —

More like a sailor trading back and forth

In a ship with many oars, a captain

In charge of merchant sailors, whose concern

Is for his freight — he keeps a greedy eye

On the cargo and his profit. You don’t seem

To be an athlete.”

Homer. The Odyssey, Book Eight

Odysseus rises and scolds Euryalus for his rudeness; then, he grabs a discus and easily throws it farther than anyone else in the competition. He exclaims that he will compete and win against any man, except Laodamas, because it would be disrespectful to compete against his host. After an awkward silence, Alcinous apologizes for Euryalus’ behavior and lightens the mood by calling dancers to perform.

Demodocus Sings About Aphrodite’s Infidelity With Ares

Illicit love affair between ares and aphroditeAfter the dancers perform, Demodocus begins to play a song about the illicit love affair between Ares, the god of war, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Aphrodite was married to the unhandsome but clever Hephaestus, god of the forge.

Consumed by passion, Ares and Aphrodite cuckolded Hephaestus in his own house, even having sex in his own bed. Helios, the sun god, saw them at their lovemaking and immediately told Hephaestus.

Rather than react rashly, Hephaestus planned a punishment worthy of their hubris. In his forge, he fashioned a net as delicate as a spider’s web but completely unbreakable. Once he set the trap, he announced that he was traveling to Lemnos, his favorite place. The moment Ares saw Hephaestus leave his house, he ran to woo Aphrodite, keen to indulge his carnal lust:

“Come, my love,

Let’s get into bed—make love together.

Hephaestus is not home. No doubt he’s gone

To visit Lemnos and the Sintians,

Those men who speak like such barbarians.”

Homer, The Odyssey, Book 8

The Sintians were a mercenary tribe that worshipped Hephaestus. Ares insulted Hephaestus indirectly by commenting disdainfully about the Sintians.

The Humiliation of Aphrodite and Ares: Pretty People Don’t Always Win

Homer remarked: “To Aphrodite, having sex with him seemed quite delightful.” The eager couple lay down and began to indulge themselves. Suddenly, the invisible net fell, trapping the couple in their embrace. Not only couldn’t they escape the net, but they couldn’t even shift their bodies from their embarrassing, intimate position.

Hephaestus returned to chastise the couple, and he called the other gods to view the spectacle:

“Father Zeus, all you other sacred gods

Who live forever, come here, so you can see

Something disgusting and ridiculous—

Aphrodite, Zeus’s daughter, scorns me

And lusts after Ares, the destroyer,

Because he’s beautiful, with healthy limbs,

While I was born deformed…”

Homer, The Odyssey, Book Eight

Though the goddesses declined to attend, all the gods gathered around and jeered at the ensnared couple, making ribald comments about which of them would like to replace Ares in Aphrodite’s arms. They commented that even the gods suffer the consequences of their actions.

“Bad deeds don’t pay.

The slow one overtakes the swift — just as

Hephaestus, though slow, has now caught Ares,

Although of all the gods who hold Olympus

He’s the fastest one there is. Yes, he’s lame,

But he’s a crafty one…”

Homer, The Odyssey, Book Eight

Homer’s Reasons for Using Aphrodite’s Story in The Odyssey

Homer has two good reasons for using the story of Aphrodite and Ares in The Odyssey, both focusing on Euryalus, the youth that was “a match for Ares.” Demodocus draws a direct parallel from Ares’ behavior in the song to Euryalus’ behavior during the games.

Like Ares, Euryalus shows hubris about his appearance, assuming that he is a better athlete and perhaps a better man than Odysseus. His overweening pride leads him to insult Odysseus aloud. When Odysseus bests him in words and strength, Homer shows both the consequences of hubris and demonstrates that strength of character is more valuable than sheer body strength. Demodocus’ song of Aphrodite and Ares serves to emphasize each point.

Aphrodite’s role in this song seems supplemental, considering that Ares gets more derision. However, she too is guilty of assuming a handsome exterior is automatically superior to wit, wisdom, or other unseen talents. Because she herself is beautiful, she considers Hephaestus beneath her notice. This attitude itself is a form of hubris, one often demonstrated in today’s society.

Conclusion

Aphrodites appearance in the odysseyAt first glance, Aphrodite’s appearance in The Odyssey seems random, but Homer specifically chose the story to mirror the events in his characters’ lives.

Below are reminders of what we have learned:

  • Aphrodite’s story appears in Book Eight of The Odyssey.
  • Odysseus reached the Phaeacians and was received graciously by King Alcinous and Queen Arete.
  • Alcinous arranged a feast and entertainment, which included athletic events and stories by the court bard, Demodocus.
  • Euryalus, one of the athletes, taunts Odysseus and insults his athletic ability.
  • Odysseus chastises his rudeness and proves himself stronger than any young upstarts.
  • Demodocus, who overheard this exchange, chooses the tale of Aphrodite and Ares as his next song.
  • Aphrodite had an affair with Ares, but her husband Hephaestus found out.
  • Hephaestus forged a strong but unnoticeable net and trapped the cheating couple while having sex.
  • He called all the gods to witness the cheating couple and embarrass them.
  • Homer used the story to warn against hubris and emphasize that intelligence often triumphs over appearance.

The song of Ares and Aphrodite is used within The Odyssey to prove a point. Beauty doesn’t guarantee victory, especially when one’s behavior is not very beautiful.

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