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What evidience is there to suggest that Schria is mythical
fantasy world is as followed. The large description of Alchinous’s palace during book seven seems to point out several details that do not occur in the world naturally or normally. They seem to contain an element of mystic about them. For example the gold and silver dogs that are immortal and never age. “On either side stood gold and silver dogs… to keep watch over the palace…as immortal sentries never doomed to age”.
During the description the concept of having fruit all year round is mentioned “Their fruit never fails… It comes at all seasons”. This seems particular unusual as fruit ripens and goes out of season throughout the year”. Therefore this suggests that the Schria is a fantasy world”.
There are also clues in Alchinous’s speech that indicate Schria and the Pheacians are not like normal Greek citizens. As Alchinous when asking Odysseus if he is immortal says this “The god’s must be playing trick’s on us…for we are special to them like the Cyclopes”. This impression of the Pheacians provides evidence that Schria was not a typical Greek city as the gods favoured the Pheacians. During Odysseus stay with the pheacians he is likened to a god twice. However both times he quickly rubbishes the idea as he acknowledges that liken a human to a god is wrong. In effect he does not want to offend the gods. Odysseus replies to Alchinous’s suggestion that he might be a god by saying, “Put that idea out of your head”.
However there is an echo here as during book four Telemachus suggests that Menelaus is on the same level as the gods. “The court of Zeus on Olympus must be like this inside”. Similarly Menelaus quickly resists the idea by saying, ”No mortal can compete with Zeus”.
The actual geographic position of Schria may reflect upon it’s absence from Greek society. As it was thought to be placed at the end of the earth. The theme of suffering takes a prominent role in the Odyssey, although in Schria it does not seem to be present. As the Pheacians admit they enjoy “feast” dance” and “hot baths”. The emphasis of suffering is shown by the fact Aegesistus chooses not to fight in the Trojan War, and so he is eventually fated to die.
Although the most substantial evidence to support the idea that the Schria is a semi fantasy world is the lack of conflict between the Pheacians. There inability to be competitive is very un Greek like as many features of Greek society and life was based on competition. For example the whole law system was a competition between the prosecutor and the defendant, War was also a competition between the two sides, even theatre was competition, which would be won by the best or most successful playwright and finally the Olympic games were undoubtedly the most famous competition. The following quote from Alchinous strengthens this concept. “Though our boxing and wrestling is not outstanding… We take perennial delight are the [next page]