The Odyssey, Book 7-8,

Book 7:  Why is Arete so greatly honored?

     The Greeks honored their gods very highly.  Each of the twelve major gods ruled over different actions and people, and so all of the gods were honored all of the time.  Apollo, god of music, was highly praised by the Greeks.  Arete, who Athena says "answers all their prayers," is the grand-daughter of Apollo (line 63) With this heavenly relation, Arete was naturally praised and honored very highly.  She is viewed "as a god" (line 82).  According to Pallas, she was also always taking care of her people, and if she hears Odysseus' wishes, they will be granted.  The epithet that is assigned to Arete is also interesting.  "The white-armed Queen" is Homer's description (line 269).  In other cultures you see art work depicting hard working men in darker skin tones.  A good explanation for this is because usually the more laborious tasks done in that time period happened outside in the sun.  The lighter-skined people found on these same artworks are usually women and elite because the work that they do, if any, is done inside the house.  This is one good detail to argue that Homer also believes that this Arete is so highly honored.  She is heavenly royalty and does not do as much work, especially outside.

Book 8:  What song does Demodocus sing?

     Demodocus first sings of the Trojan War and of the ingenious plan of the Trojan Horse.  Odysseus' successes were also mentioned at the end of the first song, but even this does not prevent the tears that are shed from the hero.  However, it is very much expected that we see this emotion when the stories of war are brought up around someone was a part of the action.  Probably bad memories, especially of friends that had died, were recalled. Yet why do we see a hero as great as Odysseus crying to such an extent?  We must remember, though, that with becoming such a hero, that usually means you have faced much more challenges then anyone else.  Some of these challenges were probably very emotional and difficult to overcome, in the example of Odysseus and his fallen comrades.  Yet the interesting thing in Demodocus' songs, and Odysseus' discussions with Athena as the girl and royalty, such as with Arete, is that these people do not seem to recognize that they are talking to THE Odysseus.  He never does introduce himself, and is often called stranger and guest.  These titles would not be used for such a hero. So it seems that he does not want to be bothered nor distracted by the glory that would be given to him if his identity was exposed.  This may give the reader an impression that he was a wise man, but this is only if this was truly the reason for not exposing his name.