Greek Quote by Homer
““We did not get on much further, for in another moment we were caught by a terrific squall from the West that snapped the forestays of the mast so that it fell aft, while all the ship’s gear tumbled about at the bottom of the vessel. The mast fell upon the head of the helmsman in the ship’s stern, so that the bones of his head were crushed to pieces, and he fell overboard as though he were diving, with no more life left in him. “Then Jove let fly with his thunderbolts, and the ship went round and round, and was filled with fire and brimstone as the lightning struck it. The men all fell into the sea; they were carried about in the water round the ship, looking like so many sea-gulls, but the god presently deprived them of all chance of getting home again.””
About This Quote
Source Epic: The Odyssey, Book 12, circa 8th century BC
A violent storm destroys a ship, leading to death and chaos, while divine wrath intensifies the disaster.
In simple terms: Storms can cause sudden, catastrophic loss.
Key Takeaway
Respect nature’s power and heed warnings.
Themes
nature
divine wrath
disaster
Mood
tragic
mythic
Type
epic
poetic
When to use this quote
- maritime voyages
- storm preparedness
- mythic storytelling
Key Concepts
fate
hubris
sea travel
Questions to Reflect On
- What could the crew have done to avoid disaster?
- How does divine intervention shape the narrative?
A Different Perspective
Human hubris often invites divine retribution.
