Wisdom And Order In Odysseus

In any demesne, an intricate relationship exists between strength, wisdom, and order. In the Bible, Solomon’s combination of wisdom and strength provides order in his kingdom. This same relationship holds true for the cosmos in Greek mythology. Recognizing the need to combine his strength with wisdom Zeus took as his first wife Metis, “wisest of all, of gods and men”(Theogony 888). And, when Metis was about to give birth, Zeus “deceived her mind / ...and thrust her down / into his belly” (Theogony 890-92). When he consumes Metis, Zeus embodies wisdom in unity with his strength, birthing order into the cosmos. Order is impossible without strength and wisdom. Odysseus possesses cunning and strength, but he has forgotten the importance of order,

She shows him that the only way to reveal the identity of Odysseus was through trial. It is a final test of Odysseus’ desire for wisdom and order. Odysseus’ unity with Penelope creates peace: “And the pledges for days to come, sworn to by both sides / were settled by Pallas Athene… who had likened herself… to Mentor”(Odyssey 24.546-48). Odysseus proves to Penelope that he deserves her prudence and their complementary marital union results in Ithaka’s unification, blessed by the grace of Pallas Athene.

Through trials, Odysseus learns that the union of man’s strength and woman’s wisdom gives rise to order. Tested with bestial pleasures, immortality, and political utopia, Odysseus cultivates virtue and recognizes his desire for order through the union of marriage. Each obstacle in his journey represents a step in his intellectual progression towards wisdom, justice and order. Thus Odysseus’ true homecoming is not when he reaches his homeland in Ithaka, but when he proves to Penelope that he desires her virtue and unifies his strength with her wisdom; it is in this moment that Ithaka joins the order in the