batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l6650-l6731
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l6650-l6731
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
passage_locator:
label: ULYSSES LEAVES SCHERIA AND RETURNS TO ITHACA. / BOOK XIV / ULYSSES IN THE
HUT WITH EUMAEUS. / BOOK XV; lines 6650-6731
start: '6650'
end: '6731'
translation: The Odyssey
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Helen gives Telemachus a robe as a keepsake for his future bride. Menelaus
hosts Telemachus and Pisistratus at a meal, prepares a drink-offering, and sends
them away with gifts. An eagle carrying a white goose appears on the right, and
Helen interprets it as an omen that Ulysses will return and take revenge on the
suitors. Telemachus and Pisistratus travel toward Pylos, and Telemachus asks to
be taken directly to his ship so he can return home at once.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Helen gives Telemachus a robe as a keepsake from her hand, intended for his
bride to wear on her wedding day, and says his mother should keep it until then.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Pisistratus places the presents into the chariot and admires them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A maid servant brings water in a golden ewer and pours it into a silver basin
for handwashing before the meal.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Bread, meat, and wine are served, and Telemachus and Pisistratus eat and drink.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Menelaus follows the departing guests with a golden goblet of wine so that
a drink-offering can be made before they set out.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Telemachus says he wishes he could be certain of finding Ulysses returned
when he reaches Ithaca.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: An eagle appears on the right, carrying a great white goose in its talons,
while men and women run after it shouting.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: The eagle flies close to the travelers and passes on their right in front
of the horses.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Pisistratus asks Menelaus whether heaven sent the omen for the travelers or
for Menelaus.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Helen interprets the eagle as a sign that Ulysses, after far travel and suffering,
will return and take revenge, or may already be back preparing harm for the suitors.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Telemachus says that, if Helen's interpretation proves true, he will make
vows to her as though she were a god.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: The travelers drive through the town into open country, lodge hospitably at
Pherae overnight, and continue toward Pylos at dawn.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:13
text: Telemachus asks Pisistratus to leave him at his ship rather than take him
to Nestor's house, because he must go home at once.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:14
text: Pisistratus turns the horses toward the ship, puts Menelaus's gifts in the
stern, and urges Telemachus to board before Nestor can come to fetch him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:15
text: Telemachus orders his men to get everything ready on board the ship and set
out home.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Helen
description: Gives a robe to Telemachus and interprets the eagle omen.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Telemachus
description: Receives gifts, hopes to find Ulysses returned, travels toward Pylos,
and seeks to board his ship for home.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:11
- ev:13
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Pisistratus
description: Places the presents in the chariot, travels with Telemachus, asks about
the omen, and later turns the horses toward the ship.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:12
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Menelaus
description: Hosts Telemachus and Pisistratus, provides gifts, and comes with wine
for a drink-offering before departure.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: Absent figure whom Telemachus hopes to find returned; Helen says he
will return and take revenge or may already be back.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Nestor
description: Named as the fatherly host to whom Menelaus's treatment should be reported
and whose hospitality Telemachus wishes to avoid delaying him.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Eagle
description: A bird flying on the right, carrying a white goose in its talons, interpreted
by Helen as an omen.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: White goose
description: A great white goose carried off from the farmyard in the eagle's talons.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Suitors
description: Figures against whom Helen says Ulysses will take revenge or hatch
mischief.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Diocles
description: Host at Pherae where the travelers spend the night and are treated
hospitably.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Telemachus's men
description: Men ordered by Telemachus to get everything ready on board the ship.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
roles:
- id: role:1
label: gift-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Helen gives Telemachus the robe as a keepsake for his future bride.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: omen interpreter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Helen states that she will read the omen as heaven has put it in her heart.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: departing guest seeking home return
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Telemachus leaves Menelaus, hopes for Ulysses' return, and later insists
he must go home at once.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:11
- ev:13
- id: role:4
label: travel companion and driver
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Pisistratus travels with Telemachus, handles the presents, and turns the
horses toward the ship.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:12
- id: role:5
label: host and sender-off
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Menelaus hosts the meal, provides gifts, and brings wine for the departure
drink-offering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: absent returning avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Helen interprets the omen as showing that Ulysses will return after suffering
and take revenge on the suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: fatherly host whose hospitality may delay departure
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Menelaus calls Nestor fatherly, and Telemachus fears Nestor will keep him
from immediate departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:8
label: omen-bearing bird
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The eagle appears on the right and is explicitly treated as an omen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: prey in omen
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The goose is held in the eagle's talons and carried from the farmyard.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: targets of anticipated revenge
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Helen says Ulysses will return to take revenge or hatch mischief for the
suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: overnight host
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The travelers reach Pherae, where Diocles lives, pass the night, and are
treated hospitably.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: ship crew under command
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Telemachus calls the men together and orders them to prepare the ship for
departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: keepsake robe
literal_form: Robe from Helen for Telemachus's future bride to wear on her wedding
day
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: washing water
literal_form: Water poured from a golden ewer into a silver basin for handwashing
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: golden goblet and wine for drink-offering
literal_form: Golden goblet of wine held by Menelaus before the guests depart
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: chariot and horses
literal_form: Chariot and yoked horses used by Telemachus and Pisistratus on departure
and return journey
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: sym:5
label: eagle carrying white goose
literal_form: Eagle on the right carrying a great white goose in its talons
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: mountain nest of the eagle
literal_form: Mountain where Helen says the eagle was bred and has its nest
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: ship for homeward departure
literal_form: Telemachus's ship, with gifts placed in the stern, prepared to set
out home
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:13
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Helen's keepsake and Menelaus's meal
summary: Helen gives Telemachus a robe for his future bride, then Telemachus and
Pisistratus eat and drink in Menelaus's house while servants provide water, bread,
meat, and wine.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Departure libation and farewell
summary: After the meal, Telemachus and Pisistratus yoke the horses, and Menelaus
comes with a golden goblet of wine for a drink-offering and farewell.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Right-hand eagle omen
summary: An eagle carrying a white goose appears on the right in front of the horses.
Pisistratus asks who the omen concerns, and Helen interprets it as a sign of Ulysses'
return and revenge.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:4
label: Return journey toward Pylos
summary: Telemachus and Pisistratus drive through the town and open country, spend
the night hospitably at Pherae, and continue toward Pylos after dawn.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: scene:5
label: Telemachus goes directly to the ship
summary: Telemachus asks Pisistratus not to take him to Nestor's house but to leave
him at the ship so he can return home immediately; Pisistratus loads the gifts,
and Telemachus orders the crew to prepare to depart.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: hospitality gifts and guest-friendship exchange
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The passage includes Helen's keepsake, Menelaus's beautiful presents, a formal
meal, and hospitable lodging at Pherae.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:10
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents social hospitality and gift exchange; any sacred
dimension is limited to the available taxonomy label and should be reviewed.
- id: motif:2
label: drink-offering before departure
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- departure
basis: Menelaus brings a golden goblet of wine so that a drink-offering may be made
before Telemachus and Pisistratus set out.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage names a drink-offering but gives no extended ritual description.
- id: motif:3
label: bird omen of homecoming and revenge
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: An eagle carrying a white goose appears on the right and is interpreted by
Helen as a sign that Ulysses will return after travel and suffering and take revenge
on the suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The omen's meaning is supplied internally by Helen; broader augury comparisons
are not asserted.
- id: motif:4
label: urgent return home by ship
taxonomy_refs:
- return
- departure
basis: Telemachus asks to be brought directly to his ship because he must go home
at once, and then orders his men to prepare the ship for departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: This concerns Telemachus's immediate travel, while Ulysses' return remains
an interpreted omen within the passage.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Within the passage, Helen explicitly compares the eagle's return from its
mountain nest with Ulysses' anticipated return after long travel and suffering,
assigning the omen the function of announcing homecoming and vengeance.
claim_level: same_function
target: return motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is an internal analogy made by a character in the passage; it
is not evidence by itself for historical contact, common inheritance, or a broader
cross-cultural comparison.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6650-6654
quote_or_summary: Helen gives Telemachus a robe as a keepsake for his future bride
and says his mother should keep it until the wedding day.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 6656-6657
quote_or_summary: Pisistratus puts the presents into the chariot and admires them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 6657-6666
quote_or_summary: Menelaus brings the guests inside for a meal; servants provide
handwashing water, bread, meat, and wine, and the guests eat and drink.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 6666-6673
quote_or_summary: Telemachus and Pisistratus yoke the horses; Menelaus follows with
a golden goblet of wine for a drink-offering and asks them to tell Nestor of his
treatment of them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6675-6680
quote_or_summary: Telemachus promises to report Menelaus's kindness and says he
wishes he could be certain of finding Ulysses returned when he reaches Ithaca.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6681-6687
quote_or_summary: An eagle flies on the right, carrying a great white goose taken
from a farmyard; people chase it shouting, and it passes close in front of the
horses on the right.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6687-6689
quote_or_summary: Pisistratus asks Menelaus whether heaven sent the omen for the
travelers or for Menelaus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 6690-6697
quote_or_summary: 'Helen says she will read the omen: as the eagle came from its
mountain nest, so Ulysses, after far travel and suffering, will return to take
revenge, or may already be back preparing harm for the suitors.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 6698-6701
quote_or_summary: Telemachus asks Jove to grant Helen's interpretation and says
he will make vows to her as though she were a god if it proves true.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 6702-6712
quote_or_summary: The travelers drive through town and open country, reach Pherae,
spend the night with Diocles, are treated hospitably, and continue toward Pylos
at dawn.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 6713-6721
quote_or_summary: Telemachus asks Pisistratus to leave him at his ship rather than
take him to Nestor's house, saying he must go home at once.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 6722-6729
quote_or_summary: Pisistratus decides to turn toward the ship, places Menelaus's
gifts of gold and raiment in the stern, and urges Telemachus to board before Nestor
can come fetch him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 6730-6731
quote_or_summary: Telemachus calls his men together and orders them to get everything
ready on board the ship and set out home.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary provided.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is straightforward from the supplied passage. Motif labels
are limited to available taxonomy terms and require human review, especially where
social hospitality is mapped to sacred_exchange or libation to sacrifice.
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: |-
No external texts or comparisons were used. Comparison claim is limited to Helen's internal analogy between the eagle omen and Ulysses' return.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg__l6650-l6731
passage_sha256=c933e6aef6bd07e1a1f2043d74515d8672eae02f1d85a29500d13f2ab40f2867