三つの関係軸が絡み合うところ : 『オデュッセイア』第22歌465-477行

This article investigates a scene from Book 22 of the Odyssey, which depicts the punishment of unfaithful servants, specifically twelve serving girls, including Melantho, and her brother Melanthios. Although previous research has focused on either a physical or an ethical point of view, this paper considers the scene as one in which three relationships - those of master-servant, male-female, and father-son - are closely intertwined with each other. First an analysis of the master-servant relationship pays attention to the fact that a plan of the punishment is alluded to at an early stage of Odysseus' homecoming. This foreshadowing is closely connected with the first two recognition scenes of the poem and is reinforced by the use of two pairs of character doublets consisting of faithful male and female servants. After the punishment, a drastic shift in the scenic atmosphere takes place; as a result, in contrast to the preceding books, only those servants who are loyal appear in Book 24. Dolios, the most loyal of all, is described as the opposite of Melanthios and Melantho, his son and daughter who have betrayed their master. Next, as to the male-female relationship, gender disparities are identified in the charges faced by the unfaithful servants: the housemaids are punished because of their deviations from silence and chastity, qualities that were thought of as women's virtues; Melanthios' punishment, however, is unconnected to such deviation. In addition, the description of the housemaids' hanging is full of sexual imagery and allusion. On the other hand, Melantho is closely linked with her mistress, Penelope; at the same time, the fidelity of the two women is contrasted. The comparison, however, ends abruptly at the hanging of Melantho, and it follows that the audience subsequently regards Penelope with suspicion. They are thus led to expect that a meeting between husband and wife will soon take place. Third, the father-son relationship is highlighted by the fact that Odysseus gives silent approval to Telemachus' suggestion, abruptly changing the method of punishment just before it is meted out. The son has shown gradual development since he recognized his father; his change in attitude is apparent, for example, in his reactions to the suitors' three throws against the beggar. He has become aware of his capacity to take charge of the house. There thus exists the implicit possibility of conflict between father and son, but it remains only a possibility, and, therefore, brings the father-son relationship to the fore and functions as preparation for the scenes in Book 24 in which Odysseus meets his own father. The three relationships mentioned above permeate the latter half of the Odyssey as components indispensable to the re-establishment of Odysseus' own oikos(household). When the suitors are killed, one of his major aims is achieved but his main goal has not yet been attained. Through the intertwining of the three relationships, the punishment scene serves the important function of shifting focus to the poem's still unsolved issues.