The Odyssey, Book Review Example

Odyssey is a Greek epic poem written by Homer that describes journey of Odysseus and his crew home after the fall of Troy. It took ten year for the main hero to return to his wife and son. Odysseus’s journey was full of adventures and dangers. As this man was struggling in order to see his beloved family, a lot of questions can be raised. How could Odysseus change immortality with Calypso for mortal life with Penelope? Can love make a man change the power of Gods for ordinary human existence? To answer these questions I will try to analyze not only main character’s words and beliefs, but also his personality and great love towards his wife.

Reader can see that even being captured by the nymph Calypso Odysseus is still trying to return back home. In fact, he is forced to stay on the island by unnatural power. The evidence that support this idea can be observed in the words of Minerva: “There he is, lying in great pain in an island where dwells the nymph Calypso, who will not let him go; and he cannot get back to his own country, for he can find neither ships nor sailors to take him over the sea” (Homer 1994). Daughter of Jove also emphasizes desire of Odysseus to return to his wife. It can be argued that such behavior of the man is hardly believable. Nonetheless, most people consider adultery and dishonesty to be not only unethical, but also immoral. Moreover, family itself means long life with the person, mutual love and understanding each other’s defects. When talking to Calypso, Odysseus says: “I am quite aware that my wife Penelope is nothing like so tall or so beautiful as yourself. Nevertheless, I want to get home, and can think of nothing else.” (Homer 1994) Odysseys knew that his wife was not perfect, but he understood what true love meant. From this perspective his desire to see his wife is both justified and reasoned. In fact, this poem is about an ordinary man, talented and brave, but simply a human. Odysseus is facing not only Goddess, but also woman. Being faithful and dedicated to his family, he refuses to commit adultery by having eternal life with Calypso.

Secondly, main hero’s attempt to return home and desire to change immortality for mortal life with his wife becomes believable after analyzing Odysseus’s relationships with Penelope. On the one hand, even ten-year war cannot stop this man from going home. On the other, Penelope neglects all suggestions of people, who surround her, about Odysseus’s death and waits for his husband for almost two decades. In real life love can make people do amazing things. Someone can cross long distance to marry loved person; someone can give everything, even life, in the name of love. Odysseus is just simply doing what his wife would also do. By refusing to live with Calypso main hero firstly refuses to betray Penelope.

The Odyssey as a whole helps to explain man’s choice. Odyssey was trying to become famous and successful. Moreover, he even suggested that Troy was defeated without the help of Gods. It can be assumed that those people, willing to become famous, neglect everything and become selfish. However, after long years of journey Odysseus remained the only person on the ship who was objective and noble. Though most of the crew was weak to oppose obstacles, bright mind of Odysseus saved them from sirens, Laestrygonians, Cyclops and other creatures. Homer idealized this person for his self-esteem and human dignity. Therefore, being example of the man Odysseus could never do unrighteous things. If he stayed with Calypso, he would betray both his wife and his son.

Whether choice of the main character is believable or not, each person decides for oneself. As all people are different everyone perceives morality and ethics in one’s own way. What is justifiable for some people can be absolutely unacceptable for others. I believe that Odysseus could change immortality for mortal life with his wife because he was a family man. It is not a secret that over some period of time love and tenderness can pass. Though Odysseus was far away from his home, he always thought about his beloved ones. I suppose that person who truly loves one’s wife and son will never change them even for the eternal life. Odysseus’s choice was not something spontaneous, but a constant desire to see his wife. From skeptical point of view this story is a fiction and the main hero deals with unnatural power. Therefore, even Odysseus’s existence in the past can be questioned. However, considering main character just as an example of ordinary person his choice is rational and realistic. Odysseus was driven by love and for this reason his desire for mortal life with Penelope is believable.

Works Cited

Homer. (1994). The Odyssey. Book V. April 1, 2009. <http:/ /classics.mit.edu/Homer/odyssey.5.v.html>.