The Evolution of Odysseus
The Evolution of OdysseusThe Evolution of Odysseus
Throughout the Odyssey, Homer explores the evolution of Odysseus from a young and inexperienced warrior when he leaves to fight at Troy to a mature and accomplished war hero when returns to his home at Ithaca. The slow maturation of Odysseus develops as he accomplishes physical and mental victories against women in the form of monsters, goddesses, nymphs, and mortals. Each of the women obstacles tests Odysseus’ strength as a leader, a father, and husband, and as he defeats each one he gains the wisdom necessary to bring him home.
Odysseus’ first encounter with the nymph, Circe, tests his unfaithfulness as a husband. Odysseus, still early in his journey, knows as he enters her cave that he will have to sleep with the crafty witch in order to defeat her. When he enters Circe’s bedroom he shows no guilt for what he is doing, but actually an eagerness to be with the nymph. “-and when she’d finished, then, at last, I mounted Circe’s gorgeous bed…” (10:85-86). Odysseus’ willingness to sleep with the nymph shows an immaturity of a young and eager man who enjoys his power and uses it for his own physical pleasure.
As Odysseus continues on his journey home, he next encounters the spirit of his mother. When he realizes she is dead, Odysseus is filled with guilt and realizes how long he has been gone from the people of his homeland. “My mother, dead and gone now… whom I had left alive when I sailed for scared Troy”(11:94-96). This realization is a turning point where Odysseus begins to think of others and not solely himself or his own personal gain.
Next, Odysseus has to physically overcome two treacherous monsters, both of which are women, in order to get to in the island of Thrinacia. Through these endeavors Odysseus must prove himself as a leader to his fearful men as they try to combat both Scylla and Charybdis. For a brief moment Odysseus regresses to his former selfish ways and ignores the advice of Circe. “But now I cleared my mind of Circe’s orders-cramping my style, urging my not to arm at all”(12:45-46). This short return to Odysseus’ former self proves fatal to the lives of his crew members, whom he watches die before his eyes. “Of all the pitiful things I’ve had to witness…this wretched my heart the most”(12:280-282). This event proves to be important for Odysseus because he realizes that his own selfish pride causes him to make the wrong decision and sacrifices the lives of his men.
As his long journey continues, Odysseus meets the Goddess Calypso, who forces him to stay on her island. Although he does continually sleep with the Goddess, Odysseus’ intentions are quite different than they were with Circe. He is forced to be with Calypso because she is taking care...
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