King Alcinous Quote by Homer
““stood for a while and looked about him, but when he had looked long enough he crossed the threshold and went within the precincts of the house. There he found all the chief people among the Phaeacians making their drink offerings to Mercury, which they always did the last thing before going away for the night. 61 He went straight through the court, still hidden by the cloak of darkness in which Minerva had enveloped him, till he reached Arete and King Alcinous; then he laid his hands upon the knees of the queen, and at that moment the miraculous darkness fell away from him and””
About This Quote
Source Epic: The Odyssey, Book 7, circa 8th century BC
Odysseus, disguised by Athena, enters the Phaeacian palace, witnesses their rites to Mercury, and is revealed to Queen Arete and King Alcinous after the divine darkness lifts.
In simple terms: A hero, hidden, enters a foreign court, sees a ritual, and is recognized when the concealment ends.
Key Takeaway
Trust divine guidance and reveal yourself at the right moment.
Themes
heroism
divine intervention
hospitality
identity
ritual
Mood
mysterious
reverent
hopeful
Type
literary
mythological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- travelers seeking refuge
- ritual observers
- leaders receiving guests
- moments of revelation
Key Concepts
Greek mythology
disguise
revelation
cultural rites
Questions to Reflect On
- How does disguise affect trust in unfamiliar settings?
- What role does ritual play in welcoming strangers?
A Different Perspective
The narrative assumes familiarity with Greek deities and may obscure the cultural context for modern readers.
