11 OCTOBER 1968, Page 29

Captain, my captain

Sir: Mr Raven's recent onslaught on the character of Odysseus (27 September) was anticipated, in gentler• fashion, by Pindar. In his seventh Nemean Ode he remarked that Odysseus had won too much praise because of Homer, who had deceived his audience into thinking Odysseus more famous than he de- served. Pindar thus hinted that if Odysseus's Greek companions had known more about his true character they would never have given him a prize for valour. But 'if' is the prime cause and first mover of all fiction.