Motif
recognition by bodily scar
recognition_by_bodily_scar
A motif of the Recognition Tokens and Identity Proofs family, within the sub-family Bodily Marks, Scars, and Sensory Signs. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
3 occurrences
1 traditions
greek
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The Odyssey BOOK XVIII / BOOK XIX / BOOK XX / BOOK XXI; lines 9317-9414 confidence: high
Ulysses shows the scar from a boar’s tooth received while hunting on Mt. Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus; after examining it, the two servants weep, embrace and kiss him, and he kisses their hands and faces.
Ulysses identifies himself by showing the scar from a boar’s tooth, and the servants recognize him after examining it.
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The Odyssey BOOK XXII / BOOK XXIII / BOOK XXIV / FOOTNOTES:; lines 11743-11857 confidence: medium
The note asks why the scar could not be requested or shown, since Euryclea had told her about it.
The note asks why the scar could not be requested or shown after Euryclea reported it.
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The Odyssey ULYSSES REVEALS HIMSELF TO TELEMACHUS. / BOOK XVII / BOOK XVIII / BOOK XIX; lines 8705-8786 confidence: high
The boar rushes out with raised bristles and flashing eyes, wounds Ulysses above the knee, and is then struck through the right shoulder by Ulysses’ spear and dies.
Euryclea identifies Ulysses only when she touches and handles the scarred limb, linking present recognition to the earlier boar wound.
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