batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l8705-l8786
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l8705-l8786
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 8705-8786
start: '8705'
end: '8786'
translation: The Odyssey
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage recounts Ulysses’ youthful visit to Autolycus on Parnassus,
a feast, and a boar hunt in which a boar wounds him and leaves a scar. In the
present, Euryclea recognizes Ulysses by touching the scar while washing him. Minerva
prevents Penelope from noticing, and Ulysses orders Euryclea to keep silent. Euryclea
promises silence, fetches more water after the bath is overturned, washes and
anoints him, and Ulysses hides the scar under his rags near the fire.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Ulysses goes to Parnassus to receive presents from Autolycus and is welcomed
by Autolycus, his sons, and Amphithea.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Autolycus’ household prepares a five-year-old bull, roasts portions, and feasts
until sunset.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: At dawn, the sons of Autolycus, their hounds, and Ulysses go hunting on the
wooded slopes and upland valleys of Parnassus.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Ulysses carries a long spear during the hunt.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: A huge boar is found in a dense brushwood lair under fallen leaves.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The boar rushes from its lair, stands at bay, and is described with raised
bristles and fire flashing from its eyes.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The boar wounds Ulysses above the knee, making a deep gash that does not reach
the bone.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Ulysses strikes the boar in the right shoulder with his spear, and the boar
dies.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: The sons of Autolycus bind Ulysses’ wound and say a spell to stop the bleeding.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Autolycus and his sons heal Ulysses, give him presents, and send him back
to Ithaca.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: Ulysses later explains to his father and mother that the scar came from the
boar hunt with Autolycus and his sons on Mt. Parnassus.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:12
text: Euryclea recognizes Ulysses when she touches and handles his scarred limb.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: Euryclea drops Ulysses’ foot into the bath, overturning it and spilling the
water.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:14
text: Euryclea is filled with joy and grief, cannot speak at first, then calls him
her dear child and identifies him as Ulysses.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:15
text: Euryclea looks toward Penelope as if wanting to tell her that her husband
is in the house.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:16
text: Minerva diverts Penelope’s attention so that Penelope does not observe what
is happening.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:17
text: Ulysses restrains Euryclea physically and commands her not to reveal his identity
to anyone in the house.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:18
text: Ulysses says he has returned home after twenty years of wandering.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:19
text: Euryclea promises that nothing can bend or break her and that she will keep
silent like stone or iron.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:20
text: Euryclea offers to identify women in the house who have behaved badly and
those who are guiltless.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:21
text: Ulysses tells Euryclea to hold her tongue and leave everything to heaven.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:22
text: Euryclea fetches more water, washes Ulysses, and anoints him with oil.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:23
text: Ulysses moves nearer to the fire to warm himself and hides the scar under
his rags.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: A man who visits Autolycus on Parnassus, is wounded by a boar in youth,
later returns home after twenty years of wandering, and is recognized by Euryclea
through his scar.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Autolycus
description: Host on Parnassus who welcomes Ulysses, directs the preparation of
dinner, later heals him with his sons, gives him presents, and sends him back
to Ithaca.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Sons of Autolycus
description: Men who prepare the bull, hunt with hounds, accompany Ulysses, bind
his wound, say a spell to stop bleeding, and help send him home.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Amphithea
description: Ulysses’ grandmother, who embraces him and kisses his head and eyes
when he arrives.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Huge boar
description: A boar in a dense lair on Parnassus that wounds Ulysses and is killed
by his spear.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Euryclea
description: The nurse who recognizes Ulysses by touching his scarred limb, nearly
signals Penelope, is commanded to secrecy, and promises silence.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Penelope
description: Ulysses’ wife, present in the house but unable to notice Euryclea’s
recognition because Minerva diverts her attention.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Minerva
description: A divine figure who diverts Penelope’s attention during Euryclea’s
recognition of Ulysses.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Ulysses’ father and mother
description: Parents who rejoice when Ulysses returns to Ithaca and ask how he received
his scar.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Suitors
description: Men whose deaths Ulysses anticipates if heaven grants him to kill them.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Women in the house
description: Women whom Euryclea says she can distinguish as ill-behaved or guiltless.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: wounded hunter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Ulysses is wounded above the knee by the boar during the hunt.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: returned wanderer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Ulysses says he has come home after twenty years of wandering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: concealed identity holder
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He is recognized by his scar but orders secrecy and hides the scar under
rags.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: welcoming elder and gift-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Autolycus welcomes Ulysses, arranges hospitality, heals him, gives presents,
and sends him home.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: hunting companions
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The sons of Autolycus go hunting with hounds, and Ulysses accompanies them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: healers of wound
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They bind Ulysses’ wound and say a spell to stop bleeding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: welcoming grandmother
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Amphithea embraces and kisses Ulysses when he arrives.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: wounding animal opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The boar charges Ulysses and cuts him before being killed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: recognizer by touch
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Euryclea recognizes Ulysses only after touching and handling his scarred
limb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: keeper of secret
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: After Ulysses commands silence, Euryclea promises she will hold her tongue.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: unaware wife in the house
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Euryclea looks toward Penelope, but Penelope is unable to observe because
Minerva diverts her attention.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: divine attention-diverter
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Minerva diverts Penelope’s attention during the recognition scene.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:13
label: inquiring parents
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They rejoice at Ulysses’ return and ask how he acquired the scar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:14
label: anticipated targets of killing
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Ulysses refers to heaven granting him to take the lives of the suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:15
label: subjects of household judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Euryclea says she can list the ill-behaved and guiltless women in the house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: scar
literal_form: Scar on Ulysses’ leg above the knee from the boar wound
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: mountain
literal_form: Parnassus / Mt. Parnassus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: boar
literal_form: Huge boar in a dense brushwood lair
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: spear
literal_form: Long spear carried by Ulysses and used to kill the boar
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: water
literal_form: Bath water spilled when Euryclea drops Ulysses’ foot; more water fetched
for washing
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: fire
literal_form: Fire near which Ulysses warms himself; fire is also used figuratively
in the boar’s eyes
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: oil
literal_form: Oil with which Euryclea anoints Ulysses after washing him
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:8
label: rags
literal_form: Rags under which Ulysses hides the scar
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Welcome and feast on Parnassus
summary: Ulysses visits Autolycus on Parnassus, is welcomed by family, and participates
in a feast prepared from a five-year-old bull.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Boar hunt and wounding
summary: At dawn, Ulysses hunts with the sons of Autolycus and their hounds on Parnassus;
a boar rushes from its lair, wounds him, and is killed by Ulysses’ spear.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Healing and return from Parnassus
summary: The sons of Autolycus bind Ulysses’ wound and say a spell; Autolycus and
his sons heal him, give him gifts, and send him home, where he explains the scar
to his parents.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Recognition by scar during washing
summary: Euryclea recognizes Ulysses by handling his scarred limb, drops his foot
into the bath, spills the water, and addresses him as Ulysses.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Secrecy imposed after recognition
summary: Euryclea looks toward Penelope, but Minerva diverts Penelope’s attention.
Ulysses restrains Euryclea and commands her to reveal his identity to no one.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Promise of silence and concealed scar
summary: Euryclea promises silence and offers to distinguish guilty from guiltless
women. Ulysses tells her to leave matters to heaven; after washing and anointing,
he warms himself by the fire and hides the scar under his rags.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:11
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: recognition by bodily scar
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Euryclea identifies Ulysses only when she touches and handles the scarred
limb, linking present recognition to the earlier boar wound.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy list does not include a specific scar-recognition
motif.
- id: motif:2
label: return of the long-wandering concealed hero
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Ulysses states that he has come home after twenty years of wandering, while
his identity remains hidden from most of the household.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives only part of the larger return episode.
- id: motif:3
label: youthful animal encounter leaves identifying mark
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: A boar hunt on Parnassus results in a deep wound above Ulysses’ knee, and
that wound later becomes the scar by which he is known.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: Calling the hunt initiatory is interpretive; the passage itself presents
the event as a hunt and later explanation of the scar.
- id: motif:4
label: divine concealment of recognition
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Minerva diverts Penelope’s attention when Euryclea is about to reveal that
Ulysses is in the house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not elaborate Minerva’s motive beyond the immediate diversion
of attention.
- id: motif:5
label: secrecy oath under threat in household crisis
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ulysses orders Euryclea to keep silent about recognizing him and threatens
consequences if she reveals him; she promises silence like stone or iron.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No formal oath formula is given; the motif label summarizes the command
and promise of secrecy.
- id: motif:6
label: hospitality feast before hunt
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Autolycus’ household welcomes Ulysses, prepares a bull, feasts, and later
gives him splendid presents.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents hospitality and gift-giving literally; the taxonomy
reference is broad.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 8705-8715
quote_or_summary: Ulysses goes to Parnassus to receive gifts from Autolycus; he
is welcomed by Autolycus, his sons, and Amphithea, and the household prepares
a bull and feasts until sunset.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 8716-8728
quote_or_summary: At dawn the sons of Autolycus go hunting with hounds, Ulysses
accompanies them with a long spear, and they reach a mountain dell and the dense
lair of a huge boar on Parnassus.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 8728-8740
quote_or_summary: The boar rushes out with raised bristles and flashing eyes, wounds
Ulysses above the knee, and is then struck through the right shoulder by Ulysses’
spear and dies.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 8740-8749
quote_or_summary: The sons of Autolycus tend the boar carcass, bind Ulysses’ wound,
say a spell to stop bleeding, and later Autolycus and his sons heal Ulysses, give
him presents, send him to Ithaca, where he tells his parents how he got the scar.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 8750-8757
quote_or_summary: Euryclea recognizes Ulysses by holding his scarred limb, drops
his foot into the bath so that the water spills, and tells him she knows he is
Ulysses after touching him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 8758-8773
quote_or_summary: Euryclea looks toward Penelope as if to tell her, but Minerva
diverts Penelope’s attention. Ulysses restrains Euryclea and orders her not to
reveal him, saying he has returned after twenty years of wandering and warning
her of consequences if she speaks.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 8774-8782
quote_or_summary: Euryclea answers that nothing can bend or break her, says she
will keep silent like stone or iron, and offers to list the ill-behaved and guiltless
women in the house.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 8783-8786
quote_or_summary: Ulysses tells Euryclea to keep silent and leave matters to heaven;
she fetches more water, washes and anoints him, and Ulysses warms himself by the
fire while hiding the scar under his rags before Penelope speaks.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are cautious and passage-bound; no cross-text comparison claims were added because
the passage itself does not explicitly support them.
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 supplied passage and metadata. Taxonomy references were limited to available references and only applied where directly supportable or cautiously broad.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg__l8705-l8786
passage_sha256=8a0fc6915024821eaffc4aa51cafb7d456da0673f564317aa1cc683395af8385