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Bauccio on Odysseus' relationships with women
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Brittany Bauccio Eng 251 Activity 3 June 15, 2012 Topic: Odysseus has relationships with a number of women. List these women and then compare how he relates to different ones. Be sure to include Kirke (a witch) and Nausicaa (a nice young princess) in your list. Can you learn anything about Odysseus from how he relates to these different women? Use specific examples from the story to support your points. After reading Gilgamesh and other literary works, it is easy to imagine a King as a tyrant, who is arrogant and has little regard for others. However, the character of Odysseus that we follow through the Odyssey text is a very different breed. Throughout the piece, he acts with integrity and demonstrates respect towards everyone he meets along his journey, whether they are his sail mates or royalty; young or old; mortal or immortal. In book five, we see that Odysseus was living with Kalypso against his will. The text states, “Though he fought she of her and her desire, he lay with her each night, for she compelled him. But when day came he say on the rocky shore and broke his own heart groaning, with eyes wet scanning the bare horizon of the sea” (Lawall, 282). Finally, Kalypso acknowledges that Odysseus’ heart will never be with her and says, “O forlorn man, be still. Here you need grieve no more; you need not feel your life consumed here; I have pondered it and I shall help you go” (Lawall, 282). Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your old home? If you could see it all, before you go--all the adversity you face at sea—you would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortal—though you wanted her forever, that bride for whom you pine each day. Can I be less desirable than she is? Less interesting? Less beautiful? Can mortals compare with goddesses in grace and form?” (Lawall, 283). Through the text, we see how even a powerful Goddess can’t compete with Odysseus’ love and commitment to Penelope. In book six, we again see Odysseus’ respectful, humble nature. When he meets the beautiful, young Nausikaa he notes that he doesn’t want to upset her so he speaks softly and doesn’t touch her knees (Lawall, 293). He then proceeds to wish the young woman well and shares how highly he values marriage. The text notes, “And may the gods accomplish your desire: a home, a husband, and harmonious converse with him- the best thing in the world being a strong house held in serenity where man and wife agree. Woe to their enemies, joy to their friends! But all this they know best” (Lawall, 294). After hearing this, Nausikaa is convinced and tells Odysseus, “Stranger, there is no quirk or evil in you that I can see” (Lawall, 294). To further demonstrate his respect for the young women, Odysseus doesn’t want the young maidens to bathe him or see him while he bathes. “Maids,” he said, “ keep away a little; let me wash the brine from my own back, and rub on plenty of oil. It is long since my anointing. I take no bath, however, where you can see me—naked before young girls with pretty braids” (Lawall, 295). When Odysseus reaches Kirke, she also begs him to stay with her. “Remain with me, and share my meat and wine; restore behind your ribs those gallant hearts that served you in the old days, when you sailed from stony Ithaka. Now parched and spent, your cruel wandering is all you think of, never of joy, after so many blow” (Lawall, 344). Odysseus again begs Kirke to let him return to his home. “I went through the dark to Kirke’ s flawless bed and took the goddess’ knees in supplication, urging as she bent to hear: ‘O, Kirke, now you must keep your promise; it is time. Help me make sail for home. Day after day my longing quickens, and my company gives me no peace, but wear my heart away pleading when you are not at hand to hear” (Lawall, 344). Finally, Kirke agrees to free Odysseus, saying “You shall not stay here longer against your will; but home you may not go unless you take a strange way round and come to the cold homes of Death and pale Persephone” (Lawell, 344). Later in the text, Athena gives further proof of the strong relationship between Odysseus and Penelope. Athena tells Odysseus, “Always the same detachment! That is why I cannot fail you, in your evil fortune, coolheaded, quick, well-spoken as you are! Would not another wandering man, in joy, make haste home to his wife and children? Not you, not yet. Before you hear their story you will have proof about your wife. I tell you, she still sits where you left her, and her days and nights go by forlorn, in lonely weeping” (Lawell, 385). Upon hearing these words from Athena the text states, “Then indeed Odysseus’ heart stirred with joy. He kissed the earth, and lifting up his hands prayed to the nymphs” (Lawell, 385). Once Odysseus finally tells Penelope their secret, successfully passing her test and proving his identify, we see that Penelope is ecstatic to be reunited with her husband. The text states, “Their secret! As she heard it told, her knees grew tremulous and weak, her heart failed her. With eyes brimming tears she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissed him” (Lawell, 512). Throughout the story, Odysseus remains focused on his goal of returning home to his family and land. This is the driving force that influences all of his decisions and actions. His character and moral compass remain strong even when he is presented with a blissful life multiple times, surrounded by tempting, attractive Goddesses. In the same way, his wife Penelope is also highly revered throughout the kingdom and has an endless amount of suitors, yet she too continues to hope her husband will return. It is only after the two are ultimately reunited that they are content and complete. In this way, I view the Odyssey as the ultimate romance story. List of Works Cited Lawall, Sarah, and Mack, Maynard. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Volume A. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2002. 282-512. Print. The Odyssey Etext. Accessed June 14, 2012: . Skidmore, Joel. “ Odysseus, Short Version.” Accessed June 12, 2012: . The Odyssey Summary and Analysis. Accessed June 12, 2012: . The Odyssey Character List. Accessed June 12, 2012: . Rhoads, Roxanne. The Roles of Women in the Odyssey. Accessed June 14, 2012: . Author: Brittany Bauccio Posted Date: Monday, June 18, 2012 4:19:23 PM EDT Edited Date: Monday, June 18, 2012 4:19:23 PM EDT Total views: 5 (Your views: 1) View Original Post Parent Post Thanks, Dr. Thompson! I'd be happy to have my paper serve as a model. Thanks for the compliment.
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