Curiosity In The Odyssey Analysis

The Greek epic, The Odyssey, is a story of Odysseus, a war hero whom, after the Trojan War, had to find his way home to Ithaca. On his journey, he comes upon many perils, afflicting his crew and himself. His journey lasts twenty years, and the story consists of many different islands. The Odyssey can be interpreted as an allegory for the curiosity and temptations people face in life, as Odysseus must keep himself and his men from the Lotus Eaters, and Sirens, who lure them away from their voyage, and the Cyclops, who Odysseus meets out of curiosity.
One of the lures that people are challenged by is settling instead of continuing to reach their destinations and goals. As Odysseus travels, he comes to the Land of the Lotus Eaters. The lotus flower …show more content…
Odysseus, for example, goes to the island of the Cyclopes to find food, and although he finds it, he instead wants to see the cyclops, Polyphemus. “Ah, how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished to see the cave man, what he had to offer – no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends” (763). Odysseus had no reason to see Polyphemus, but curiosity bested him, and he decided to do it, even though it was very dangerous. He simply could have taken the food, (which was even tasty and plentiful) but instead put his entire crew in …show more content…
Many people have been hurt in their pursuit of attractive objects, and even more so beautiful men or women. In Odysseus’ journey, he is warned by Circe not to listen to the Sirens’ songs, as they are deadly. “The lovely voices in ardor appealing over the water made me crave to listen, and I tried to say ‘Untie me?’ to the crew…” (785). As Odysseus comes near them, he hears the songs, as he is tied to the mast. Odysseus had wanted to hear the song, because of the previously mentioned problem, being too curious. The Sirens’ luring sound signifies the times in life when people are thrown off course by