THE SLAUGHTER OF GOATS IN <i>ODYSSEY</i> BOOK 9 AS AN ANTICIPATORY DOUBLET

Abstract The account in Odyssey Book 9 of Odysseus’ safe arrival by ship on ‘Goat Island’ off the coast of the land of the Cyclopes, the elaborate description of the geography of the island itself, and even the specific detail of Odysseus and his shipmates slaughtering with bows and spears 108 + 1 wild goats all work together to serve as an ‘anticipatory doublet’ of the account in the second half of the epic of Odysseus’ safe arrival by ship on the island of Ithaca, the elaborate description of the geography of the island itself, and even the specific detail of Odysseus and his comrades slaughtering with bow and spears the 108 arrogant suitors + 1 treacherous goatherd.