My thesis is simple; The third song of Demodokos was the point of re-humanization for Odysseus. I will use other heroic songs to support my thesis and the various explanations for this why this is a crucial time for Odysseus. I will cover all other possible explanations as to why Odysseus" reaction to the song was akhos as opposed to the kleos the audience experienced. I will demonstrate this through a close reading of the song and the reactions. I will focus on the crucial point of the re-humanization process being where Odysseus is empathizing with Andromache's pain, the necessary piece to Homer's puzzle. Once you realize the costs (lament)along with the benefits(labors) of war, you can finally address the Homeric riddle - What is the price of a human life? .
Before we attempt to prove that Odysseus" reaction to the 3rd song is crucial, let us look briefly at the first two songs of Demodokos. The first song talks about the beginning of the Trojan war and his quarrel with Achilles, which made Odysseus cry, but he was able to hide it. (viii 75-80) This is contrasted with the 2nd song of Demodokos, one which didn't involve Odysseus but was yet another mini-narrative about the Gods and how they agreed on ransom for the dispute over the body of Ares. Since Odysseus is simply an average audience member, he is able to enjoy the performance of the song. "Thus sang the bard, and both Odysseus and the seafaring Phaeacians were charmed as they heard him." (viii 367) This emphasizes the different ways one can react when listening to a bard sing. This leads us to the closer analysis of the third song of Demodokus.
Demodokos starts the song at the point where fires were sent to the Achaean tents while the other men hid within the Trojan horse, where they were "waiting with Odysseus in the Trojan place of assembly."(viii 501) The bard here only refers to Odysseus" name, emphasizing its effect on his ability to fall into a trance and relive the ordeals of his, not someone else's, past.
