Examples Of Arete In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey, by Homer, is usually seen as an epic tale about a man trying to overcome the obstacles put in front of him on his way home. What most people don’t think about is- a man trying to get back to his wife. Odysseus would not have gotten home without his wife, Penelope who helped him maintain his arete, such as loyalty and willingness to always do the right thing. A feature of arete that Odysseus illustrates is the willingness to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult, when it comes to turning down wonderful offers because of his wife, Penelope. The hero and his men are on their journey home, but they have realized that it will take longer than they had thought after being disrespectful to the gods. When the men finally wash …show more content…
Without her, he would have chosen to stay with Circe, even though it would have frustrated his men. Greeks look up to Odysseus for his willingness to go to the depths of hell for his wife. After surviving the Underworld, but losing all of his men due to disrespect to the gods, Odysseus is finally on his way home. He has just survived his hard journey on a raft after Calypso’s, and he has looked better. Nausicaa, a princess, is washing with her maids when she sees Odysseus. She is immediately scared by Odysseus, as he’s naked. He explains himself to Nausicaa, and she invites him to her father’s kingdom. Odysseus follows her, and is welcomed by Alcinous, Nausicaa’s father and the king of the Phaeacians. Even though Alcinous doesn’t know the stranger, he welcomes him and even offers his daughter’s hand in marriage. Odysseus prays to Zeus, ““Father Zeus, grant that Alcinous may do all as he has said, for so he will win on an imperishable name among mankind and at the same time I shall return to my country.”” (77.) Odysseus doesn’t say no to Alcinous immediately, he’s careful to be a good guest, which is something Greeks value. At the same time, Odysseus does the right thing by staying faithful to

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