batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l6466-l6544
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l6466-l6544
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK XIII / ULYSSES LEAVES SCHERIA AND RETURNS TO ITHACA. / BOOK XIV / ULYSSES
IN THE HUT WITH EUMAEUS.; lines 6466-6544
start: '6466'
end: '6544'
translation: The Odyssey
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: After a ritual offering and meal, a stormy moonless night falls. Ulysses
tells Eumaeus and the swineherds a story about lacking a cloak during a cold ambush
before Troy, where Ulysses obtained one by a clever pretext. Eumaeus praises the
story, promises the stranger clothing for the night, makes him a bed by the fire,
and covers him with a heavy cloak. Eumaeus then arms himself and goes outside
to sleep near the pigs under a rock shelter.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A first piece is cut off and offered as a burnt sacrifice to the immortal
gods, followed by a drink-offering and a shared meal.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Mesaulius brings bread, and the group eats and drinks until satisfied before
going to bed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The night is stormy, very dark, moonless, rainy, and windy from the west.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Ulysses decides to see whether Eumaeus will provide him with a cloak, either
personally or through one of his men.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Ulysses prefaces his story by saying wine makes people speak, sing, laugh,
dance, and say things better left unspoken.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: In Ulysses’ embedded story, soldiers lie hidden near Troy in cold weather
with snow, frost, and shields coated with rime.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: In the embedded story, the speaker lacks a cloak and tells Ulysses that the
cold may kill him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: In the embedded story, Ulysses proposes that someone report a dream to Agamemnon;
Thoas leaves his cloak and runs to the ships, and the speaker takes the cloak
until morning.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Eumaeus says the stranger will not lack clothing or other reasonable needs
for the present, though he must return to his own rags the next morning.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Eumaeus makes a bed for Ulysses with goatskins and sheepskins before the fire
and covers him with a heavy cloak.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: Eumaeus chooses not to sleep away from the pigs and goes outside equipped
with a sword, cloak, goat skin, and javelin.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: The pigs are camped under an overhanging rock that shelters them from the
north wind.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: A guest in Eumaeus’ hut who tells a story about a cloak at Troy and
later sleeps on a bed made for him by Eumaeus.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:4
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Eumaeus
description: The swineherd who hears Ulysses’ story, promises him clothing for the
night, makes his bed, covers him, and goes out to guard the pigs.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Mesaulius
description: A man brought by the swineherd from among the Taphians who serves bread
and removes what is left.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: immortal gods
description: Divine recipients of the burnt sacrifice and drink-offering.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Menelaus
description: Named in Ulysses’ embedded account as one of the leaders of an ambuscade
before Troy.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Agamemnon
description: Named in the embedded account as the commander to whom Ulysses says
someone should report and request more men.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Thoas son of Andraemon
description: In the embedded account, he throws off his cloak and runs to the ships.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: young men / swineherds
description: Men present in the hut who sleep beside Ulysses after the meal.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: guest or stranger in distress
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Eumaeus addresses him as an old man and says a stranger in distress may reasonably
expect clothing and other things.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:2
label: host and provider
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Eumaeus promises clothing, makes a bed, and covers Ulysses with a heavy cloak.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: bread server
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Mesaulius brings bread and later takes away what remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: storyteller
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Ulysses asks Eumaeus and the others to listen and tells an account of a cold
ambush before Troy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: guardian of pigs
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Eumaeus dislikes sleeping away from his pigs and goes outside to rest near
them with weapons and covering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:6
label: crafty planner in embedded story
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The embedded story explicitly describes Ulysses as crafty and valiant, and
he creates a plan that results in a cloak becoming available.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: divine recipients of offering
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The first piece is offered as a burnt sacrifice to the immortal gods, followed
by a drink-offering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: leader in embedded ambuscade
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:1
basis: Menelaus and Ulysses are named as leaders in the ambuscade before Troy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: commander to be informed
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Ulysses says someone should go tell Agamemnon to send more men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: cloak-leaver and messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Thoas throws off his cloak and runs to the ships after Ulysses’ speech.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: companions in the hut
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The young men sleep beside Ulysses after Eumaeus prepares his bed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: burnt sacrifice and drink-offering
literal_form: First piece offered as burnt sacrifice; cup and drink-offering
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: cloak
literal_form: Protective garment requested, remembered, given, and worn against
cold and storm
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:3
label: stormy moonless night
literal_form: Dark night with no moon, rain, and west wind
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:10
- id: sym:4
label: fire
literal_form: Fire before which Eumaeus places Ulysses’ bed
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: skins used as bedding and covering
literal_form: Goatskins, sheepskins, and a goat skin
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: weapons for night watch
literal_form: Sword and javelin carried by Eumaeus in case of attack
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:7
label: rock shelter
literal_form: Overhanging rock sheltering pigs from the north wind
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Offering and supper in the hut
summary: A ritual portion and drink-offering are made to the immortal gods, bread
is served, and the group eats and drinks before bed.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Storm and Ulysses’ test for a cloak
summary: During a dark storm, Ulysses considers whether Eumaeus will provide him
with a cloak and begins a story after commenting on wine-induced speech.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Embedded account of the Trojan ambush
summary: Ulysses recounts a freezing ambush near Troy in which a cloakless man prompts
Ulysses to invent a pretext that makes Thoas leave his cloak behind.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Eumaeus provides bedding and a cloak
summary: Eumaeus praises the story, promises the stranger necessary clothing for
the night, makes a bed with skins before the fire, and covers Ulysses with a heavy
cloak.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:5
label: Eumaeus’ night watch by the pigs
summary: After the others sleep, Eumaeus arms and covers himself and goes outside
to rest near the pigs under a rock shelter.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Ritual offering before communal meal
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_exchange
basis: The passage describes a burnt sacrifice and drink-offering to the immortal
gods before eating and drinking.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The excerpt does not explain the theological purpose of the offering beyond
its performance.
- id: motif:2
label: Hospitality to a stranger in distress
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Eumaeus states that the stranger will not lack clothing or other reasonable
needs and then gives him bedding and a cloak.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the act as practical guest-care; broader sacred hospitality
themes are not explicitly named in the excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: Clever tale obtains needed cloak
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Ulysses tells a story about a prior clever stratagem that obtained a cloak,
and the present telling leads Eumaeus to provide clothing and bedding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The current passage does not explicitly say Eumaeus is deceived; the connection
between the tale and the gift is implied by sequence and response.
- id: motif:4
label: Loyal caretaker guarding property during master’s absence
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Eumaeus goes outside to sleep near the pigs, and the passage states Ulysses
is glad to see that he looks after his master’s property during the master’s absence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: No provided taxonomy family directly matches this motif.
- id: motif:5
label: Shelter against hostile night weather
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage contrasts storm, cold, rain, and wind with cloaks, skins, fire,
and a rock shelter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: This is a recurring situational pattern rather than a supplied named taxonomy
motif.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The burnt sacrifice and drink-offering before the meal align with the supplied
sacrifice motif family at the level of literal ritual action.
claim_level: same_motif
target: sacrifice
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage gives the act but not an extended mythic explanation of
the sacrifice.
- id: claim:2
claim: The cloak episode has the same functional pattern as a trickster-boundary
motif in which strategic speech changes social access to a needed object.
claim_level: same_function
target: trickster_boundary
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage does not explicitly label the present story as deception,
and Eumaeus responds approvingly rather than as a duped opponent.
- id: claim:3
claim: Eumaeus’ provision for the stranger can be cautiously grouped with sacred
exchange patterns insofar as food, clothing, and shelter are given under guest-host
obligation.
claim_level: same_function
target: sacred_exchange
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The excerpt presents the exchange as social hospitality; it does not
explicitly connect the gift to divine command or ritual reciprocity.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 6466-6475
quote_or_summary: A first piece is offered as burnt sacrifice to the immortal gods;
a drink-offering follows; Mesaulius brings bread, the group eats and drinks, and
the remainder is removed before bed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: 6477-6479
quote_or_summary: "“the night came on stormy and very dark, for there was no moon.
It poured without ceasing”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 6479-6482
quote_or_summary: Ulysses thinks he will see whether Eumaeus will take off his own
cloak and give it to him or make one of his men give him one.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 6482-6488
quote_or_summary: Ulysses asks Eumaeus and the others to listen, says wine makes
people talk, sing, laugh, dance, and say too much, and introduces a memory of
Troy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 6488-6498
quote_or_summary: In the embedded account, Menelaus and Ulysses lead an ambush near
Troy; the men lie hidden among reeds and brushwood in freezing weather, snow,
and rime-coated shields.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 6498-6507
quote_or_summary: The embedded narrator says he has no cloak, only a shirt and shield,
and tells Ulysses the cold may kill him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 6508-6522
quote_or_summary: Ulysses, described as crafty and valiant, tells the man to keep
quiet, then says he has had a dream and asks someone to tell Agamemnon to send
more men; Thoas leaves his cloak and runs to the ships, and the speaker takes
the cloak until morning.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 6525-6533
quote_or_summary: Eumaeus praises the story and says the old man will lack neither
clothing nor other reasonable needs for the present, though the next morning he
must wear his old rags again until Ulysses’ son can provide cloak and shirt.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 6534-6538
quote_or_summary: Eumaeus makes a bed for Ulysses from goatskins and sheepskins
before the fire and covers him with a heavy cloak kept for unusually bad weather.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 6540-6544
quote_or_summary: The young men sleep beside Ulysses, while Eumaeus goes outside
to the pigs with sword, thick cloak, goat skin, and javelin; the pigs are under
an overhanging rock sheltering them from the north wind.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the passage. Motif classification
is strongest for sacrifice and hospitality, and more cautious for trickster-boundary
and sacred-exchange comparisons.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage, metadata, and available taxonomy references. Ambiguous antecedent for the opening sacrificial actor was not assigned to a named figure.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg__l6466-l6544
passage_sha256=f004104d11ff8d10717d4a9cc69138fedbe980dcb9fe37a689e1ea53d33da1f0