“[Penelope] falls far short of [Calypso],/ [her] beauty, sature. She is mortal after all,/ and [Calypso], she never age[s] or die[s]”(5.239-241.) These words of Odysseus perfectly capture his opinion on mother figures, and temptress’ in The Odyssey. He views mothers as fragile and weak; tempress’ are seen as manipulative and easily sidetrack Odysseus. Women in The Odyssey are perceived as Odysseus’ downfall or savior, in relation with his journey home. Homer characterizes women as fragile mothers or manipulative temptress’, either helping or hindering Odysseus’ journey home.
Mothers in The Odyssey are seen as givers of pity and sorrow, rather than being true supporters to their sons and husbands military quests; helping Odysseus on his way …show more content…
Calypso, a nymph that uses her beauty to her advantage, “holds [Odysseus] [on her island] by force” for 9 years, while “craving [him] as a husband”(4.627,9.33-34). Calypso delays Odysseus’ return home, because she holds Odysseus captive and sleeps with him for 9 years. Temptress’ easily manipulate Odysseus, like when Circe coaxes him to “mount [her] bed and mix in the magic work of love”, enticing him “till a year ha[s] run its course” (10.370-371,515). Circe uses seduction to hinder Odysseus’ way home, by tempting him for a year. When Odysseus’ crew passes the Sirens, who easily lure Odysseus with their enchanting voice, he commands his men to “set [him] free”(12.210) even though Odysseus knows the outcome of listening to their song for longer. The Sirens delay his journey home, because Odysseus’ pleas in the moment contradict with his commands to tie him down. His crew hesitates on which order to follow, hindering their journey home because Odysseus is fooled by the Sirens enticement. He is an easy target for temptress’, because Odysseus gives into their seduction quickly, overall hindering his journey home because he is sidetracked by temptation of the
Mothers in The Odyssey are seen as givers of pity and sorrow, rather than being true supporters to their sons and husbands military quests; helping Odysseus on his way …show more content…
Calypso, a nymph that uses her beauty to her advantage, “holds [Odysseus] [on her island] by force” for 9 years, while “craving [him] as a husband”(4.627,9.33-34). Calypso delays Odysseus’ return home, because she holds Odysseus captive and sleeps with him for 9 years. Temptress’ easily manipulate Odysseus, like when Circe coaxes him to “mount [her] bed and mix in the magic work of love”, enticing him “till a year ha[s] run its course” (10.370-371,515). Circe uses seduction to hinder Odysseus’ way home, by tempting him for a year. When Odysseus’ crew passes the Sirens, who easily lure Odysseus with their enchanting voice, he commands his men to “set [him] free”(12.210) even though Odysseus knows the outcome of listening to their song for longer. The Sirens delay his journey home, because Odysseus’ pleas in the moment contradict with his commands to tie him down. His crew hesitates on which order to follow, hindering their journey home because Odysseus is fooled by the Sirens enticement. He is an easy target for temptress’, because Odysseus gives into their seduction quickly, overall hindering his journey home because he is sidetracked by temptation of the