De Odyssee is een dichtwerk van de Griekse dichter Homeros. Dit is een tekst over de Odyssee, uit een wetenschappelijk artikel genaamd “Sex and Sensuality in the Ancient World” (2008). Het gaat over hoe de Muze de mensen helpt om te ontspannen in de paradoxen van het leven.
“The dulcet voice of the Muses makes us forget the torment, the worries and anxieties. As the daughters of memory, the Muses came into the world with an ‘uncaring spirit’ and the mission to make people forget their ills and to alleviate anxiety. Art is calming and narcotic. It acts like wine or the drug Nepenthe, the analgesic and tranquilizer that Helen poured into her guests’ cups on a memorable evening.
We are at her home in Sparta, the war with Troy is over, and the beautiful woman is reconciled with her husband. Suddenly a shy young man arrives wanting to hear news of the heroes of that war, particularly Ulysses. During the meal, the remembrance of the battles, carnage and death creates a grim atmosphere. Everyone is intent on remembering and renewing the pain of mourning. Helen wishes to distract them from those distressing reflections. She therefore mixes this Egyptian drug into the watered-down wine in a large bowl, and the drug has the power to anesthetise the memory, extinguish grief and placate anger. The same is true of all causes of pleasure.
Pleasure is respite, the extinction of pain and an end to unease.”