Often times in life we search for a companion, someone to share our love and life with. Odysseus and Penelope's lasting relationship is an obvious representation of love in the Odyssey. Although Odysseus is gone for twenty years he never forgets his faithful wife in Ithaca. This love helps him persevere through the many hardships that he encounters on his journey home. Penelope also exemplifies this same kind of love for Odysseus. At home in Ithaca, she stays loyal to Odysseus by unraveling his shroud and delaying her marriage to the suitors that are courting her. She always keeps the hope that her love, Odysseus, will return. Odysseus and Penelope's marriage clearly illustrates the theme of love.

The Odyssey also illustrates other relationships where love is of great importance - one of the most emphasized is the father-son rela

It does seem odd though, when you look at the relationship between Odysseus and Penelope, because you wonder, if he really loved her why did he fool around so much when he was away? From the beginning it is clear that Penelope has would-be suitors who are strongly urging her to marry one of them, now that her husband has apparently dies or deserted her. But she fends them off while Odysseus is away, proving herself loyal to Odysseus. He does not do the same though. We have Odysseus' run in with Calypso, a beautiful sea nymph who tries to make Odysseus her husband. She holds him captive for nine years, he stays with her for nine whole years! She even offers him immortality if he will stay her. Finally, word from Zeus comes via Hermes and he is released, but Odysseus did not make much of an effort to get off the island and return to his wife. We also have Odysseus' encounter with Circe. The enchantress transforms his crew into swine when he lands on her island. She discovers that she can not conquer Odysseus though, so she takes him as her lover for a year before she sends him on his way. Odysseus runs into several difficult situations on his way home, thus making it hard for a woman in Penelope's position to accept him with open arms when he returns and tells his stories. Granted she would understand that Odysseus did what he had to do, that does not mean that she is going to be happy about it.

Still, he has not yet proved that Penelope is trustworthy, and equally important, she is not sure that she can trust him. Many men have c

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1047
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)