A servant raised like a daughter can feel nothing for her mistress’s suffering

Evidence

Flushed with beauty, Melantho mocked him shamelessly — Dolius was her father but Penelope brought her up; she treated her like her own child and gave her toys to cheer her heart. But despite that, her heart felt nothing for all her mistress’ anguish now. — Homer; Robert Fagles; Bernard Knox, The Odyssey, 3711

Categorization

• XREF: Parallels the theme of ingratitude toward generous hosts that runs through the suitors’ entire occupation of Odysseus’ house.