After being lost at sea longing for home for ten years, Odysseus ends up in the alluring kingdom of Phaeacia. From Homer’s depiction of Phaeacia it seems to be a paradise; however, Odysseus is able to resist its temptations because of his persistent determination to see his homeland of Ithaca. One of the biggest temptations is sensually described by Homer:
“Here luxuriant trees are always in their prime, pomegranates and pears, and apples glowing red, succulent figs and olives swelling sleek and dark.
And the yield of all these trees will never flag or die, neither in winter nor in summer, a harvest all year round for the West Wind always breathing through will bring some fruits to the bud and others warm to ripeness” (Book 7 132-8)
Phaeacia
“Here luxuriant trees are always in their prime, pomegranates and pears, and apples glowing red, succulent figs and olives swelling sleek and dark.
And the yield of all these trees will never flag or die, neither in winter nor in summer, a harvest all year round for the West Wind always breathing through will bring some fruits to the bud and others warm to ripeness” (Book 7 132-8)
Phaeacia