batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l8620-l8703
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l8620-l8703
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
passage_locator:
label: ULYSSES REVEALS HIMSELF TO TELEMACHUS. / BOOK XVII / BOOK XVIII / BOOK XIX;
lines 8620-8703
start: '8620'
end: '8703'
translation: The Odyssey
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Penelope speaks with the disguised Ulysses, offering hospitality while
doubting that Ulysses will return. Ulysses refuses soft bedding and will only
allow an older woman to wash his feet. Penelope summons Euryclea, the nurse who
had cared for Ulysses from birth. Euryclea laments Ulysses’ absence, notices the
stranger’s likeness to him, and begins washing his feet. Ulysses turns away from
the firelight because he fears she will recognize a scar. She recognizes the scar
from a boar-hunting wound on Mt. Parnassus, leading into a recollection of Autolycus
naming the infant Ulysses.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Penelope promises gifts and goodwill if the stranger’s words come true, but
says she believes Ulysses will not return.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Penelope orders that the stranger’s feet be washed, that he be given bedding,
and that he be washed and anointed again at daybreak.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Penelope says uncivil treatment of the stranger by people in the house will
be punished.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Ulysses refuses rugs and blankets and says he has slept in rough places on
many sleepless nights.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Ulysses refuses to let young women of the house wash his feet and will only
allow an old respectable woman who has suffered as he has.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Penelope identifies Euryclea as the old woman who received Ulysses in her
arms when he was born and nursed him in infancy.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Euryclea covers her face, weeps, and laments Ulysses’ suffering and delayed
homecoming.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Euryclea says the stranger resembles Ulysses in figure, voice, and feet.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Ulysses answers that others who have seen both men have also said they were
very alike.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Euryclea prepares warm water in a cauldron to wash the stranger’s feet.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Ulysses sits by the fire and then turns away from the light because he fears
Euryclea will recognize a scar on his leg.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Euryclea recognizes the scar as one made by a wild boar during a hunt on Mt.
Parnassus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: Autolycus is described as Ulysses’ grandfather and as a thief and perjurer
endowed by Mercury.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Autolycus names the infant Ulysses, explaining the name as connected with
his anger or displeasure toward many people.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Penelope
description: Woman of the house who speaks with the disguised stranger, orders hospitality
for him, and summons Euryclea.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: The returning master is present as a disguised stranger; he refuses
comfort, fears recognition by his scar, and is remembered as absent by others.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Euryclea
description: An old nurse who cared for Ulysses at birth and infancy; she washes
the stranger’s feet and recognizes his scar.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Telemachus
description: Penelope says the stranger may sit in the cloister and take meals with
Telemachus.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Jove
description: A god whom Euryclea says Ulysses honored with sacrifices, yet who has
prevented his return home.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Autolycus
description: Ulysses’ grandfather, associated with theft and perjury, who names
the infant Ulysses.
role_refs:
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Mercury
description: A god said to have endowed Autolycus with his gift because Autolycus
made offerings to him.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Wild boar
description: The animal that wounded Ulysses and caused the scar recognized by Euryclea.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Maids of the house
description: Women whom Penelope commands to wash the stranger’s feet, and whom
Ulysses refuses as attendants for the washing.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: hostess and protector of guest
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Penelope orders washing, bedding, anointing, meals, and protection against
uncivil treatment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: disguised returning master
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage calls Euryclea’s washing of the stranger the washing of her master,
and he fears recognition by a known scar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: suffering wanderer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ulysses says he has slept in rough places and refuses soft bedding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: old nurse
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Penelope says Euryclea received Ulysses at birth and nursed him in infancy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: recognizer by bodily mark
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Euryclea recognizes the scar on Ulysses’ leg while washing him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: son and dining companion
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Penelope says the stranger may sit and take meals with Telemachus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:7
label: divine power invoked in lament
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Euryclea says Jove has prevented Ulysses from returning despite sacrifices
and prayers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: maternal grandfather and namer
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Autolycus is asked to name his daughter’s newborn child and names him Ulysses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: thief and perjurer
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage explicitly describes Autolycus as accomplished in theft and perjury.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:10
label: divine patron of Autolycus
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Mercury is said to have endowed Autolycus with his gift and enjoyed his companionship
because of offerings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: wound-giving animal
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The wild boar gave Ulysses the scar later recognized by Euryclea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:12
label: rejected attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Penelope commands maids to wash the stranger, but Ulysses refuses to let
young women touch his feet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: scar of recognition
literal_form: Scar on Ulysses’ leg from a wild boar wound
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: foot washing
literal_form: Washing of the stranger’s feet by Euryclea
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: water for washing
literal_form: Cold and hot water mixed in a cauldron for the foot bath
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: firelight
literal_form: Fire and its light beside which Ulysses sits before turning away
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: Mt. Parnassus
literal_form: Mountain where Ulysses received the boar scar and where Autolycus’
possessions lie
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: name Ulysses
literal_form: The name given to the infant, explained as the child of anger
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:7
label: sacrificial thigh bones and hecatombs
literal_form: Burned thigh bones and hecatombs offered to Jove and offerings to
Mercury
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: rugs and blankets
literal_form: Bedding offered by Penelope and refused by Ulysses
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Penelope offers guarded hospitality
summary: Penelope doubts Ulysses’ return but orders the stranger to be washed, bedded,
anointed, fed, and protected from uncivil treatment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Ulysses refuses comfort and young attendants
summary: Ulysses refuses soft bedding and will not let young women wash his feet,
allowing only an old respectable woman who has known suffering.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Penelope summons Euryclea
summary: Penelope identifies Euryclea as Ulysses’ old nurse and calls her to wash
the stranger, whom she calls her master’s age-mate.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Euryclea laments and notices resemblance
summary: Euryclea weeps over Ulysses’ fate and says that the stranger resembles
him in figure, voice, and feet; Ulysses confirms that others have noticed the
likeness.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Foot washing and scar recognition
summary: Euryclea prepares the foot bath; Ulysses turns from the firelight to hide
his scar, but she recognizes it as the wound from the boar hunt on Mt. Parnassus.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Autolycus names the infant Ulysses
summary: A recollection explains Autolycus’ connection with Mercury and his naming
of the infant as Ulysses, the child of anger, with a promise of future gifts at
Mt. Parnassus.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: disguised return recognized by bodily mark
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: The returning master is present in disguise and is recognized by Euryclea
through the scar on his leg during foot washing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage itself shows recognition beginning through the scar; broader
consequences of the recognition lie outside the supplied range.
- id: motif:2
label: hospitality toward a disguised stranger
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Penelope orders washing, bedding, anointing, food, and protection for the
stranger, while Ulysses controls who may wash his feet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No external comparison is asserted; this is a passage-level motif candidate.
- id: motif:3
label: old nurse as hidden-identity recognizer
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Euryclea is identified as Ulysses’ nurse from birth and becomes the person
who recognizes his scar while washing him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The recognition is tied to her prior knowledge of Ulysses, but the supplied
passage does not include any spoken disclosure after recognition.
- id: motif:4
label: trickster ancestor and divine patronage
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Autolycus, Ulysses’ grandfather, is described as accomplished in theft and
perjury and as endowed by Mercury because of offerings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy assignment is based on Autolycus’ theft, perjury, and Mercury
association; the passage does not narrate a trickster episode in detail.
- id: motif:5
label: name explaining destiny or character
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Autolycus names the child Ulysses and explains the name through anger or
displeasure toward many people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives an etymological explanation but does not explicitly
state a full destiny pattern.
- id: motif:6
label: sacrificial exchange with gods and uncertain favor
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Euryclea says Ulysses offered sacrifices to Jove but was still prevented
from returning, while Autolycus’ offerings to Mercury are linked to Mercury’s
favor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage includes both frustrated and successful divine-human exchange;
it does not present a single clear rule for divine reciprocity.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 8620-8641
quote_or_summary: Penelope promises gifts if the stranger’s words come true, doubts
Ulysses’ return, orders foot washing, bedding, anointing, meals with Telemachus,
and protection from uncivil people; she contrasts harsh and righteous conduct.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 8642-8652
quote_or_summary: Ulysses refuses rugs and blankets, recalls rough sleepless nights,
refuses foot washing by young women, and permits it only from an old respectable
woman who has suffered as he has.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 8653-8662
quote_or_summary: Penelope says Euryclea received Ulysses in her arms when he was
born and nursed him in infancy, then summons her to wash the stranger, calling
him her master’s age-mate.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 8663-8675
quote_or_summary: Euryclea covers her face, weeps, laments Ulysses, says Jove hates
him despite sacrifices and prayers, and says Jove has prevented him from reaching
home.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: 8675-8679
quote_or_summary: "“no one ever yet came who was so like Ulysses in figure, voice,
and feet as you are.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; short excerpt.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 8680-8682
quote_or_summary: Ulysses replies that people who have seen both him and Ulysses
have always said they were wonderfully alike.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 8683-8689
quote_or_summary: Euryclea prepares a cauldron with cold and hot water; Ulysses
sits by the fire and turns from the light because he fears she will recognize
a scar on his leg.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 8689-8694
quote_or_summary: As Euryclea washes her master, she knows the scar from a wild
boar wound received while hunting on Mt. Parnassus with Autolycus and his sons.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 8694-8699
quote_or_summary: Autolycus is described as the most accomplished thief and perjurer;
Mercury endowed him with this gift and enjoyed his companionship because of offerings
of thigh bones of goats and kids.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 8699-8703
quote_or_summary: Autolycus visits Ithaca after the child of his daughter is born;
Euryclea places the infant on his knees and asks him to name his grandson; he
names him Ulysses, the child of anger, and promises future gifts at Mt. Parnassus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif candidates are passage-level
and require human review for taxonomy alignment. No comparison claims were made
because the passage does not itself support a specific external comparison.
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: |-
All observations and motifs cite evidence from the supplied line range only.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg__l8620-l8703
passage_sha256=d56a1d34dba496d8857242e41c6cd87f5d72c085ee7c0d593777ef52ee8a82c5