Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, walks towards his own palace. On a heap of dung lies an old dog.
The Odyssey · C1
Book Seventeen: Argos the Dog
What with, for all, dare, having been, barely, so much as, whoever, far from, not that and mercy: C1 grammar for the saddest and most loyal moment in the Odyssey.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
Oh no.
The story
After Homer’s Odyssey
What with the fleas and the cold, old Argos had barely enough strength to lift his head. For all his years of neglect, he knew his master at once. He wagged his tail. He couldn’t so much as stand.
Having been away for twenty years, Odysseus dared not show his feelings. He wiped away a tear. Far from being forgotten, he had been remembered by his dog.
And Argos, having seen his master again after twenty years, died. In the hall, Antinous threw a stool at the beggar. Whoever the gods are, they see such things. Not that Antinous cared. Odysseus asked for mercy, and received none.
What with; for all; far from
DEMETRIA
What with the fleas and the cold… For all his neglect, he knew him. Far from being forgotten…
SOPHIA
what with X and Y = because of (several reasons). for all = despite. far from + -ing = the opposite.
Dare; having been; barely; so much as
PHILO
He dared not show his feelings. Having been away twenty years… Argos barely lifted his head, and couldn’t so much as stand.
SOPHIA
dare not + verb (formal). Perfect participle for an earlier cause. barely = only just. not so much as = not even.
Whoever; not that; mercy
MARCOS
Whoever the gods are, they see. Not that Antinous cared. He asked for mercy.
SOPHIA
whoever = it doesn’t matter who. not that… removes a wrong idea. mercy = kindness to someone you could harm.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| what with; for all; far from + -ing | several reasons; despite; the opposite | For all his neglect… |
| dare not; having been | formal negative; earlier cause | He dared not weep. |
| barely; not so much as | only just; not even | He couldn’t so much as stand. |
| whoever; not that | no matter who; correcting | Not that Antinous cared. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. ___ the fleas and the cold, he was weak.
2. ___ all his neglect, he knew his master.
3. He ___ not show his feelings.
4. ___ been away for years, he was a stranger.
5. Argos could ___ lift his head.
6. He couldn’t so much ___ stand.
B · Write
Write the missing word or words.
7. the gods are, they see such things. (no matter who)
8. Far from being , he was remembered. (forget)
9. Not Antinous cared.
10. He asked for , but received none.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “For all his age, he knew him.”
12. “He dared not to weep.”
13. “He couldn’t so much as stand.”
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