A Thousand Ships Chapter 21: Calliope Summary & Analysis

Presumably reading the poet’s work, Calliope remarks that she likes Oenone and is glad he told Laodamia’s story. Although the poet is tired of shifting between characters, Calliope believes he’s starting to see a new way of telling the war’s story from the perspectives of overlooked women. The Muse finds it absurd when men compare themselves to legendary heroes with whom they have little in common. If the poet complains again, Calliope will ask him who is more heroic: Menelaus, who lost his wife (Helen) and caused much suffering, or Oenone, who lost her husband (Paris) and raised her son.

While some might consider Oenone’s refusal to help Paris controversial, Calliope seems to understand the nymph’s pain and finds her actions justified. She is pleased the poet is finally following her lead and perhaps even learning how much knowledge can be gained from prioritizing marginalized perspectives. She implies that men enjoy epic tales because they can imagine themselves as the heroes. But Calliope doesn’t just want to highlight women’s stories—she wants to expose men’s tales of “heroism” as violent and childish in comparison to women’s stories. In comparing Menelaus and Oenone, Calliope illustrates how men often use their suffering as an excuse to make other suffer, while women in this context have little choice but to bear up under pain and persevere.

Active Themes

Quotes

A Thousand Ships: Chapter 21: Calliope Summary & Analysis