Odysseus Love For Penelope In The Odyssey

Words: 379

Pages: 2

Open Document

Odysseus’s harrowing plight home is what makes The Odyssey a compelling read. From his narrow escape from Scylla and Charybdis to his long stay with Calypso, the narrative never lulls on a dull moment and instead explores Odysseus’s resolve on his journey back to Ithaca. Seeing the epic’s focal point is the journey, this prompts the question, what exactly is urging Odysseus back home? Popular claims state Odysseus’s love for Penelope is the driving force behind his motivation, but I beg to differ. I will argue Odysseus’s love for Penelope, is in fact, a minimal reason in his motivation for the homeland and Odysseus’s true drive is love for Ithaca itself. Thus, this basis becomes the fuel to Odysseus’s fire and brings the ending past his reunification with Penelope and instead to The Odyssey’s perplexing conclusion. …show more content…
In this first reference Odysseus makes to his wife, there is no interest in her welfare; she is merely the guardian of his son and of his property. He is as little concerned about her for her own sake as if she had been another prize in his cache. When Odysseus refers to Laertes and Telemachus, he questions if they still retain honor, but does not include Penelope in this referral, because Penelope possesses no honor. Just as Telemachus receives the gilded bowl from Menelaus, material possession is one of the highest forms of honor one can receive in The Odyssey, and Penelope is likened to a possession that brings honor to Odysseus. Adversely, Odysseus’s steadfast love for Ithaca pervades much of his

Guile In Odysseus

Without the women in the Odyssey, Odysseus would’ve gotten nowhere. They were strong emotionally and physically. They were deceptive and cunning in the things they did. They also were guile not only in words but in actions too. The women in the Odyssey were strong, independent women who played a huge role in protecting Odysseus. The women in the Odyssey could handle a lot of emotional pain and grief, while also being very tough. Penelope waited 20 years for her husband Odysseus to come home, refusing…

Words 794 - Pages 4

Roles Of Women In The Odyssey Essay

Women in the odyssey are different from their personality and relationship with men. All of them are different but all help define the role of women in the odyssey. At the time men structured civilization was all put together and the women had position in society, that position was to serve the men and were dominated by what men allowed. Those women were valued in society but weren't important and had no power to control. Homer really depict women as a strong subject. In this epic poem women are…

Words 742 - Pages 3

Penelope In Homer's The Odyssey

Homer’s poem The Odyssey is an exciting tale of a hero going through the trails of life to get back to his loving wife and son. The hero of the story is Odysseus. Soon after the birth of his son Telemachus to fight in Trojan War, leaving his wife Penelope to take care of the palace, his parents, and his child. He was held captive for 7 years by Calypso, and with the help of Athena,Zeus, and Hermes he escaped and began his journey. Starting with the Cyclops, continuing to Circe, and losing most…

Words 653 - Pages 3

The Odyssey Essay FINAL Draft

Jessi Zirker PreAP English P. 2 March 11th, 2015 The Odyssey Essay The Time to be Heard As alpha is to omega: men are to women. The constant fight for rights, a voice, even freedom has lived on throughout history up until today. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer translated by Robert Fitzgerald women are seen as nothing more than a boatload of problems. Whether this belief rooted from Pandora releasing all things bad into the world, or Eve being the root of sinful nature,…

Words 1861 - Pages 8

An Analytical Essay: The Role Of Women In The Odyssey

The Odyssey is an epic poem written by the Greek poet Homer, the story tells of Odysseus in a long journey to return to his wife, Penelope. Odysseus endures many hardships and pleasures, he outwits the challenges he encounters with his intelligence in a battle against the gods. Though the plot revolves around Odysseus and his men facing conflict the women within the story have a strong influence among men and are powerful amongst themselves. Women in The Odyssey are usually portrayed as powerless…

Words 376 - Pages 2

Female Characters In The Odyssey

In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, many themes are portrayed as the tale of Odysseus continues throughout the book. Although the movie is very similar to the book, there are still differences in the two versions of the story. Homer’s epic, The Odyssey is not only the story of Odysseus and his adventures, but also a image of the everyday obstacles we face in present day. This epic is filled with exampes of tasks and harmful consequences that i will evaluate and give my perspective on. In this epic…

Words 605 - Pages 3

Comparing Princess Leia In The Odyssey And Star Wars

The Odyssey and Star Wars movies are very mythical, but very interesting. There are princesses and queens. There are space ships and shuttles as well as king who lives under water. There are relationships and love, in these two epics. There is also hate and stress. In the movie Star Wars there is a character named princess Leia. She is the Organa of Alderaan, and she later becomes known as General Leia. She will be compared and contrasted with Penelope in this story. Penelope is the wife of Odysseus…

Words 856 - Pages 4

Importance Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

consequences, for loyalty builds trust while disloyalty destroys relationships. Throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homer expresses the significance of these values. The characters’ acts of loyalty and disloyalty have dramatically different results. In a relationship, loyalty strengthens the bonds between two parties. In the Iliad, Hector knows that Helen adores him, but he only loves his wife and fighting alongside the Trojan forces (Iliad 56). Keeping his loyalty to his wife and the Trojans…

Words 428 - Pages 2

Favorable Light In The Odyssey

Vocabulary.com defines the word odyssey as “a long, wandering, and eventful journey”. In the Odyssey, Odysseus goes on his own odyssey that lasts for 20 years and includes a lot of women who help him tremendously. Homer uses the names of ships, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, Queen Arete, princess Nausicca, the goddess Circe, and the goddess Athena, to help Odysseus with his odyssey, or journey, back to Ithaca. Because of this, The Odyssey portrays women in a favorable light. To begin, an example of Homer…

Words 1187 - Pages 5

Examples Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

The Odyssey is Homer’s epic of Odysseus’ journey to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. This novel incorporates altercations with mythical creatures when he and his men must face punishments from the many angry gods. Also, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus, attempt to stop the suitors that are looking to take Penelope’s hand in marriage and Ithaca's throne before Odysseus, the original ruler, returns. The Odyssey ends when Odysseus proves his identity (to all who surrounded…

Words 1043 - Pages 5