batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l9317-l9414
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l9317-l9414
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK XVIII / BOOK XIX / BOOK XX / BOOK XXI; lines 9317-9414
start: '9317'
end: '9414'
translation: The Odyssey
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A young contestant arranges the axes and nearly strings the bow before
Ulysses checks him. Suitors attempt and fail to string the bow; Leiodes warns
that the bow will bring death to many chiefs. Antinous orders Melanthius to warm
and grease the bow. Ulysses privately questions the swineherd and stockman about
their loyalty, reveals himself as Ulysses, promises rewards if the suitors are
defeated, and shows his boar-scar as proof; the servants recognize him and embrace
him with tears.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The initial contestant sets axes in a straight row in a groove, stamps the
earth around them, and impresses observers by the orderliness of the arrangement.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The same contestant tries three times to draw the bowstring and is attempting
a fourth time when Ulysses signals him to stop.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The initial contestant says he may be feeble or too young and invites stronger
men to try the bow.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Antinous directs the contestants to proceed in turn toward the right from
the cupbearer’s starting place.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Leiodes, described as sacrificial priest to the suitors and as hating their
evil deeds, fails to string the bow because his hands are weak and unused to hard
work.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Leiodes says the bow will take the life and soul out of many chiefs and that
Penelope should marry the man whose lot it is to win her.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Antinous rebukes Leiodes and denies that the bow will kill many chiefs merely
because Leiodes cannot bend it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Antinous orders Melanthius to light a fire, set a sheepskin-covered seat nearby,
and bring lard so that the bow may be warmed and greased.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Melanthius lights the fire, sets the seat beside it, brings lard, and the
suitors warm the bow but still cannot string it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Antinous and Eurymachus remain as the leading suitors after the other attempts
fail.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Ulysses privately asks the stockman and swineherd whether they would support
Ulysses or the suitors if Ulysses returned suddenly.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: The stockman and Eumaeus express desire or prayer that Ulysses return and
state or imply willingness to fight for him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Ulysses reveals that he is Ulysses, says he has returned in the twentieth
year, and promises wives, houses, holdings, and friendship with Telemachus if
heaven delivers the suitors into his hands.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: Ulysses shows the scar from a boar’s tooth received while hunting on Mt. Parnassus
with the sons of Autolycus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: After examining the scar, the swineherd and stockman weep over Ulysses, embrace
him, and kiss him; Ulysses kisses their hands and faces in return.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: initial young contestant
description: The unnamed young man who arranges the axes, attempts to string the
bow, describes himself as possibly too young or feeble, and is checked by Ulysses.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: A concealed figure who signals the young contestant to stop, privately
tests the swineherd and stockman, reveals himself as Ulysses, promises rewards,
and displays a scar as proof of identity.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Antinous
description: A suitor who orders the bow-contest sequence, rebukes Leiodes, and
commands Melanthius to warm and grease the bow.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Leiodes son of Oenops
description: Sacrificial priest to the suitors, seated near the mixing-bowl, who
hates the suitors’ evil deeds and fails to string the bow.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Melanthius the goatherd
description: The goatherd ordered by Antinous to light a fire, prepare a sheepskin-covered
seat, and bring lard for the bow.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: the suitors
description: The group competing for Penelope and attempting to string the bow;
they warm the bow and fail to string it.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Eurymachus
description: Named with Antinous as one of the remaining suitors and a ringleader
among them.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: stockman
description: A servant questioned by Ulysses who prays for Ulysses’ return and says
he would fight for him.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Eumaeus the swineherd
description: The swineherd who leaves with the stockman, is questioned by Ulysses,
prays for Ulysses’ return, and recognizes him after seeing the scar.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Penelope
description: The woman whom the suitors hope to marry and whose marriage is tied
to the bow contest in Leiodes’ speech.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Father Jove
description: A god invoked by the stockman in wishing that Ulysses might return.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Telemachus
description: Named by Ulysses as one with whom the loyal servants will be friends
and treated like brothers if the suitors are defeated.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: sons of Autolycus
description: The men with whom Ulysses says he was hunting on Mt. Parnassus when
he received the boar-scar.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: bow-contest participant
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:6
basis: These figures try or are directed to try the bow in the contest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: suitor ringleader
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:7
basis: Antinous and Eurymachus are described as ringleaders and foremost among the
suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: sacrificial priest among suitors
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Leiodes is explicitly described as sacrificial priest to the suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: returned concealed master
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ulysses reveals that he is Ulysses and has returned to his own country in
the twentieth year.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: loyal supporter of Ulysses
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: The stockman and Eumaeus pray for Ulysses’ return and are identified by Ulysses
as glad of his return.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: servant carrying out suitor orders
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Melanthius performs Antinous’ commands concerning the fire, seat, and lard.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: collective unsuccessful contestants
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The suitors warm the bow and try it again, but are not strong enough to string
it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: marriage prize or bride sought by suitors
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Leiodes says the suitors have long striven for Penelope and speaks of who
may marry her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: invoked divine power
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The stockman invokes Father Jove in wishing that Ulysses might return.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: kinsman or household relation named in reward promise
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Ulysses promises the loyal servants that they will be to him as brothers
and friends of Telemachus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: bow
literal_form: The bow that contestants attempt to string and that Leiodes says will
take life and soul out of many chiefs.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: row of axes
literal_form: Axes set in a straight row in a long groove for the bow contest.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: arrow
literal_form: The arrow that is placed standing against the top or tip of the bow
when the bow is set down.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: fire
literal_form: A fire lit in the court to warm the bow before another attempt.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: lard
literal_form: A large ball of lard brought to grease the bow.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: boar-scar
literal_form: The scar from a boar’s tooth on Ulysses’ body, shown as proof of identity.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: Mt. Parnassus
literal_form: The mountain named as the place where Ulysses was hunting when he
received the scar.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: crimson cloak
literal_form: The crimson cloak thrown off by the initial contestant before arranging
the axes and attempting the bow.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Axes set and bow first tested
summary: The initial contestant throws off his cloak, sets the axes in order, attempts
the bow three times, and is stopped by Ulysses during a fourth attempt.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Leiodes fails and interprets the bow as deadly
summary: Leiodes takes the bow and arrow, fails to string the bow, and warns that
it will take the life and soul of many chiefs connected with the contest for Penelope.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Antinous orders the bow warmed and greased
summary: Antinous rebukes Leiodes and orders Melanthius to prepare fire, sheepskins,
and lard; Melanthius does so, but the suitors still cannot string the bow.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Private loyalty test and revelation
summary: Outside the gates and outer yard, Ulysses questions the swineherd and stockman
about their allegiance, hears their wish for Ulysses’ return, reveals his identity,
and promises rewards.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Recognition by scar
summary: Ulysses shows the scar from the boar’s tooth; the two servants examine
it, weep, embrace and kiss him, and receive kisses in return.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: contest of strength with bow for marriage outcome
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The suitors compete by trying to string the bow, and Leiodes links success
in the contest to Penelope’s marriage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The broader narrative significance of the bow contest is not fully contained
in this passage; the extraction is limited to the contest and marriage statements
present here.
- id: motif:2
label: failed suitors before the decisive bow trial
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Multiple suitors fail to string the bow even after warming and greasing it,
leaving Antinous and Eurymachus remaining.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage stops before any successful stringing of the bow.
- id: motif:3
label: deadly object in a courtship contest
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Leiodes states that the bow will take the life and soul out of many chiefs
involved in the contest for Penelope.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: Antinous contests Leiodes’ statement, so the passage presents the deadly
interpretation as a character’s warning rather than an objective narrator statement.
- id: motif:4
label: disguised return and private recognition
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Ulysses privately tests two servants, reveals that he has returned in the
twentieth year, and is recognized after showing his scar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage includes the revelation to servants but not the complete public
restoration or defeat of the suitors.
- id: motif:5
label: recognition by bodily scar
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ulysses identifies himself by showing the scar from a boar’s tooth, and the
servants recognize him after examining it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No broader taxonomy reference is assigned because the supplied taxonomy
list does not include a specific recognition-token motif.
- id: motif:6
label: loyal retainers tested before conflict
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ulysses asks the stockman and swineherd whether they would side with him
or the suitors before disclosing his identity and intended rewards.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states their loyalty and Ulysses’ promise, but the later conflict
is only anticipated.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 9317-9329
quote_or_summary: The initial contestant throws off a crimson cloak, sets axes in
a straight row, stamps the earth around them, tries three times to draw the bow,
and is checked by Ulysses during a fourth attempt.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 9330-9342
quote_or_summary: The contestant says he may be feeble or too young, sets down the
bow and arrow, and Antinous orders the others to try in turn toward the right.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 9343-9366
quote_or_summary: Leiodes son of Oenops, sacrificial priest to the suitors, hates
their evil deeds, fails to string the bow, and says the bow will take life and
soul from many chiefs connected with the contest for Penelope.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 9367-9379
quote_or_summary: Antinous rebukes Leiodes and orders Melanthius to light a fire,
prepare a seat with sheepskin, and bring lard so the bow can be warmed and greased.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 9380-9386
quote_or_summary: Melanthius lights the fire, sets the sheepskin-covered seat beside
it, brings lard, and the suitors warm the bow but remain unable to string it;
Antinous and Eurymachus remain foremost among them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 9387-9403
quote_or_summary: Outside the gates, Ulysses asks the stockman and swineherd whether
they would support Ulysses or the suitors; the stockman and Eumaeus express longing
for Ulysses’ return, after which Ulysses reveals himself and promises rewards
if heaven delivers the suitors to him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 9404-9414
quote_or_summary: Ulysses shows the scar from a boar’s tooth received while hunting
on Mt. Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus; after examining it, the two servants
weep, embrace and kiss him, and he kisses their hands and faces.
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: The extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Some figures are described
by role where the passage does not provide a name. Motif candidates are limited
to patterns directly supported in the passage; no external comparisons are asserted.
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 comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare the events to another tradition or motif family beyond the available taxonomy-style motif candidates.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg__l9317-l9414
passage_sha256=fd7cf257710d296151aca317d868143033e5b357e605633d9b17b5b76dbab132