#half-empty nest😞

[dootznbootz]

I think people sleep on this moment in the Odyssey...

If I'm wrong, not getting full context, or see something that isn't there, feel free to give evidence to explain why.

Here he crept under a pair of bushes, one an olive, the other a wild olive, which grew from the same stem with their branches so closely intertwined that when the winds blew moist not a breath could get inside, nor could the rain soak right through to the earth.

(Book 5, Rieu)

I think this is about Penelope and him.

Obviously, their marriage bed is made from an Olive tree. If it's just about Athena then why are there two mentioned? Why did Homer mention two when he could've just said he took refuge under one? Or a completely different type of tree? Why mention them being intertwined?

One an olive: Penelope, who has been with society and "safe" in Ithaca ("Safe" because of the suitors)

One wild: Odysseus, who has dealt with literal monsters and immortals and has just escaped from Calypso. Literally naked and filthy, a "wild man".

"which grew from the same stem with their branches": Them both being together at first, before being separated.

"so closely intertwined that when the winds blew moist not a breath could get inside, nor could the rain soak right through to the earth.": Despite being separated, they are still "intertwined". Whether you want to think of it as them being likeminded or simply connected, even though they are apart, nothing could get in between them. 🥺

I don't know what else Homer could be referring to other than them.

#It's funny to me as even though she's not always mentioned when he retells his tale to the Phaeacians. The narrator mentions her CONSTANTLY #Because even if Odysseus doesn't say it. He's thinking about her often #honestly I...I don't think it COULD be anything else but I'm sure people will be mad that the simp loves his wife. 🤷 #This part is the reason why I mention them calling the bed their “nest” as that's what THIS part calls it too. and I find it really cute #It was a nest where he SHOULD have stayed in with his family but no... :'D #half-empty nest😞 #also it could be him comforting himself??? He's been forced to be in beds he doesn't want to be in for YEARS #Now. he's free and while it's not “fancy”. but at least it's SOMEWHAT like his own #greek mythology #tagamemnon #odyssey #the odyssey #penelope #odysseus #odypen #odysseus and penelope #odysseus x penelope #Mad rambles #shot by odysseus #essay