Odyssey 8.140 · Book 8, lines 140–142
Euryalus: challenge him yourself
Read the full text in our reader
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·
Euryalus — Λαοδάμα, μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες. αὐτὸς νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἰὼν καὶ πέφραδε μῦθον.
But Euryalus in turn answered him and spoke: Laodamas, this word you have spoken quite rightly, in due measure. Now you yourself, go and challenge him, and declare your word.
Word by word
The setting
Laodamas has suggested testing the guest. Euryalus, another young Phaeacian, answers him.
A note on this passage
Euryalus seconds the idea and hands it back to Laodamas: well said — now go and challenge the stranger yourself. The reply formula (‘answered him and spoke’) frames a short, brisk exchange between the young men.
The relay is telling. No one yet speaks to the guest directly; they arrange him among themselves first. Euryalus, who will soon insult Odysseus outright, here merely nudges Laodamas forward — the politeness before the provocation. The scene is quietly building toward the taunt that finally stings the stranger into the ring.
Read the full commentary — and tap any word for its dictionary entry — in the interlinear reader.
Open Odyssey 8.140 in the full reader
Always open passages in the reader
From the Great Library
You are reading a page of the Odyssey — the whole book is free in our interlinear reader.
The Great Library Project presses the classics in their original languages, glossed word by word — free to read, always. Browse the whole library.
Also on our shelves:
Odyssey 8.140 — The Great Library Project interlinear edition · greatlibraryproject.com/book/odyssey/8.140/