The Complex Odyssey of Odysseus

According to both Greek and Homeric values humans should have reason, but very often they express passion, which leads to contradictory emotions and obstacles in life. Odysseus, a man with a complex life, struggles with many internal, personal contradictions that have a collective impact on his decisions throughout his existence. The most important contradictions Odysseus faces are loyalty and betrayal; humility and hubris; and wisdom and folly,

Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus faces an internal battle between loyalty and betrayal in the presence of numerous temptations. Odysseus’s first situation was with Kalypso. Although Odysseus does cheat on Penelope with Kalypso, he still remains loyal, and his love for her hardly wanes. Kalypso says to Odysseus while trying to persuade him to stay, “Can I be less desirable than she is? / … Can mortals compare with goddesses in grace and form?” (Homer 87). When Kalypso says this to him she is basically advising Odysseus to continue cheating on his wife, which contradicts Odysseus’s values. Odysseus, despite his “experimentations”, remains in love with Penelope, he says, “Yet, it is true, each day / I long for home” (Homer 87). When he says this he is saying that although he makes mistakes, what he truly longs for is his wife and family. This shows that Odysseus is a loyal man, who respects his wife and more importantly respects himself. After he leaves Kalypso Odysseus expresses his determination for his home by not giving in, and he has Athena and Ino on his side; therefore, the gods are watching over him and are predicting a good fate for Odysseus. Besides Kalypso, Odysseus experiences other temptations and goes through other complex obstacles. He deals with Kirke, the sirens, and even t...

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... Odysseus has issues with accepting fate and destiny and moving on with the situation. Despite gaining this knowledge and being dismayed by these self-pitying comments of Achilles, Odysseus contemplates foolishly engaging his fate for battle.

Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus, lives a complex life. His personal issues and accomplishments tend to conflict, and he best copes with his many different struggles. Lord Mansfield once says, “Consider what you think justice requires, and decide accordingly. But never give your reasons; for your judgment will probably be right, but your reasons will certainly be wrong.” Mansfield’s quote explains Odysseus’s life because Odysseus makes many decisions though they tend to be contradicting. He has Greek reasons, and knowledge; however, but he tends to rely on passions as well, which leads to his struggling throughout his life.