Gregory Nagy on the meaning of ainos in Illiad 23.652

From the evidence of Homeric diction alone, the meaning of aînos may be analyzed further:[1]

In particular, aînos designates a discourse that aims at praising and honoring someone or something or at being ingratiating toward a person. Accidental or not, in Homer the word always defines a polite, edifying speech that is in direct or indirect connection with a gift or a prize. In Il. 23.795 aînos means "praise," as is made evident by the verb kûdaínô ("to give honor") of line 793. Achilles repays this aînos with a gift. In the same book, Nestor's speech--in which he recalls his past deeds and thanks Achilles for his generous gift--is termed an aînos (Il. 23.652). In both poems we find polúainos as an epithet for Odysseus: in at least one passage the word is connected with Odysseus's cunning (Il. 11.430), and in Od. 14.508-9 Odysseus's speech--termed aînos--is explicitly defined as a discourse that will not "miss a reward." In Od. 21.110 Telemachos turns to the suitors, who are ready to compete for Penelope's hand, and says rhetorically that she does not need any praise (aînos). Yet Telemachos has in fact praised Penelope and enhanced her unique qualities (106-9): he therefore increases the suitors' willingness to compete for the prize, i.e., for Penelope.