A Reminder of Manhood in The Odyssey

A detailed Summary of A Reminder of Manhood in The Odyssey

Throughout Homer's epic work, The Odyssey, Odysseus encounters temptations of beautiful women and the promise of immortality. Under the price of having to sacrifice his manhood, Odysseus is willing to abandon his homeland, one of the ways in which manhood was defined in the ancient world, to live in eternal bliss. Calypso, Circe, and the Sirens are all examples of the beautiful women whom Odysseus must face and overcome in order to return to his native land. Although each temptress implores different methods of enticement, a common goal of detaining Odysseus from returning home is prevalent; however through failing efforts and intervention of the gods, the constant prodding of Odysseus' crew, or prior knowledge of the situation, Odysseus prevails over the enchantresses' temptations, allowing Odysseus to return to his homeland, once again regaining his identity as a man.

The episode involving the beautiful nymph, Calypso, relies on the intervention of the gods to rescue Odysseus from her enticing actions. With divine power on his side, Odysseus gains the right to return home and regain his identity as a man and as a leader. For seven years, Calypso has lured Odysseus to "lay with her each night, f

Your cup with numbing drops of night

she will infuse to charm your sight;

Without Hermes' counsel Odysseus would have fallen victim to Circe's spell, and he, too, would have been transformed into a pig. Since he heeded Hermes' warning, he was able to defeat the enchantress' power; however, succumbing to her seduction and finding contentment with Circe, Odysseus would have never thought twice about his homeland if it were not for his crew prompting him to leave.

Also, after a year of feasting, Odysseus' eager crew prods their captain to leave the island, asking him to "shake off this trance," the spell that Circe possesses over him (X.508). Having lost the vision of returning home, Odysseus has acted as the charming temptress' lover for the past year. Upon the crew asking him to leave, Odysseus wishes to spend one more night with Circe and holds her to her promise that she will help him get back to his homeland.

or she compelled him" (V. 164). Using her beauty while possessing hopes of making Odysseus her husband, the enchantress becomes overly distressed when the gods announce that she must release Odysseus and permit him to return to his homeland. Reluctant to let him go, Calypso promises Odysseus immortal life if he chooses to stay with her.

When Odysseus and his crew reach Circe's island, Hermes is

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Approximate Word count = 897
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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