In our discussion on Thursday we talked about the characteristics of a hero- things such as strength, endurance, honesty (not always) and the like. I have not read the Iliad yet- but from what I heard from you all, Odysseus was not the most virtuous hero we have studied. When I read about his waking up on the beach and meeting Princess Nausicaa, I noticed that though he may have been deceitful before and had made use of his cunning (which he still continued to do afterwards- just not in this particular situation)- he was ready to go back home. The book seems to allude to the fact that the Princess was falling in love with him, and a typical moral-lacking man may take advantage of that. But Odysseus did not do so. Perhaps it was love for his wife that was still in his heart, a rage against the suitors that he wanted revenge on, or just a yearning to complete the journey he had began. Whether it be any of them, it was pleasing to see one follow the good morals of their heart.
p.s.- I commented on Nathanael Carrol's and Natalie Schuller's post
Maybe it's more than just a simple moral thing. With Nausicaa, it would be a somewhat traditional marriage--living together, etc.--thus, turning the proposal down would be "easier", so to speak, than turning down Calypso or Circe because he would be completely turning his back on Penelope if he married Nausicaa. With Calypso or Circe, although they want marriage, they are enchantresses and they have bad track records (as do most of the gods/goddesses). With Nausicaa, it is probably a loyalty to Penelope, but with the others, it could very well end up being a "let's don't risk a repeat of the whole Poseidon issue."
ReplyDeleteIn chapter nine, he also says that there is nothing as sweet as a man's own country. He is tempted by many riches and also an end to his perilous journey, but he wants to see his homeland again. He said he wants to die there in peace. It will also bring him great honor, which could be another reason that he wants to make it home so desperately.
ReplyDeletePersonally, Odysseus is my favorite character out of Homer's writings. Though, he may not be the most virtuous man most of the time, I think his love for home and country is real in the Odyssey. But, he might turn down the Princess because he has already been held as a lover to Calypso and to Circe, so he may just be tired of that and ready to get home. He might not want to have to deal with another woman until he gets home to his real wife.
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