Book VIII · Episode 5 of 5

The Wooden Horse

Odysseus weeps again at song of Troy

Scenes

1. Odysseus Honors the Bard — Odysseus carves boar for Demodocus
   • The herald carries the meat to Demodocus
   • Odysseus honors him despite his own grief
   • He says singers are revered everywhere
   • The Muse herself teaches and loves bards
2. Odysseus’s Request — Odysseus asks for the wooden-horse song
   • Odysseus praises his truthful singing
   • Epeius built the horse with Athena’s help
   • Odysseus smuggled it into Troy himself
   • He vows to proclaim Demodocus’ gift
3. The Fall of Troy Sung — Demodocus sings ambush, sack of Troy
   • Greeks burn their camp and sail off
   • Trojans debate the horse before keeping it
   • Odysseus, Menelaus fight at Deiphobus’ house
   • Athena grants the Greeks victory
   • Odysseus weeps like a captive woman
4. Alcinoüs’s Question — Alcinoüs halts song, demands his name
   • All is ready except the stranger’s name
   • He presses for father, city, and people
   • Phaeacian ships need no pilot, find shores
   • Alcinoüs asks what lands he wandered
   • A lost friend may explain his tears