Some critics believe that the character of Demodocus is based on Homer himself and thus have attributed his blindness to him. How is the bard described? How does Odysseus describe him?
The bard, Demodocus, is described as blind, but gifted by song. It is said that he was taught by the Muses or the god Apollo, but for his gift he was blinded: "she (Muses) stripped him of sight but gave the man the power of stirring, rapturous song" (193). Odysseus praises the bard highly for his talent to stir the emotions: "I respect you, Demodocus, more than any man alive-surely the Muse has taught you, Zeus's daughter, or god Apollo himself" (207). Odysseus, himself, was moved to tears as the bard sang about Troy.
Good, Jessie- just so you know, for referencing the Muse, you need to use brackets: "she [the Muse of music] stripped him..." Parentheses are considered part of the original text.
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