The Appeal of Home :: Essays Papers

The Appeal of HomeIn the Greek camp at the end of the Iliad, we see Achilleus make it at the conclusion that is the theme of the entire poemthat to be mortal is to suffer. However, Homer leaves unanswered the logical question regarding this conclusion If to live is to suffer, then wherefore live at all? This then becomes the central question of the Odyssey, in which we are given an entirely different kind of character who rejects two clean-cut possibilitiesan immortal relationship and a utopian communityfor his own wife and his homecoming (I, 13). The question we are then compelled to ask is, what could Penelope and his Ithakan household perchance offer that is worth more than utopia and immortality? To illustrate what Odysseus couldve had, Homer shows us a contrast for each aspect of Odysseuss longinga couple and a community. Through these contrasts, we are shown just why these options dont measure up for Odysseus. The immortal couple is embodied in the marriage of Helen and Men elaos, who have been promised the eq of eternal bliss in the Elysian Fields. While Menelaos had his homecoming delayed, he never had to resist temptation along the way. The Trojan War and the journey stake are nostalgic stories for him, to be recounted for guests as a means of recapturing the past glory of fighting. And Helen, unlike Penelope, certainly has never been one to spurn attractive men and remain loyal to her husband, or to anything at all for that matter. She could not even choose a side in a war fought ostensibly for her sake (IV, 250-284). It is meaningful that, rather than have to deal with the guests weeping, she slips something in their drinks to prevent their show of emotion (IV, 219-227). Helen avoids connection with men while her husband wants only to connect with the past. erstwhile guaranteed immortality, there is no pressing need for either of them to attempt the extraordinarily difficult task of truly understanding one another because there is ceaseless ly time for that later. This is the marriage that Odysseus couldve had had he stayed with Kalypso, but he understands its emptiness and refuses it, instead choosing a woman whom he knows has spent the interceding years resisting men whom Helen wouldve jumped right into bottom of the inning with.But Odysseus returns for more than just the single meaningful relationship between himself and Penelope.