An intricate relationship exists between strength, wisdom, and order. In the Bible, Solomon’s combination of wisdom and strength provides order in his kingdom. This same relationship holds true for the cosmos in Greek mythology. Recognizing the need to combine his strength with wisdom, Zeus took as his first wife Metis, “wisest of all, of gods and men”(Theogony 888). And, when Metis was about to give birth, Zeus “deceived her mind / ...and thrust her down / into his belly” (Theogony 890-92). When he consumes Metis, Zeus embodies wisdom in unity with his strength, giving birth to order in the cosmos. In the Odyssey, Odysseus possesses duplicity and strength, but forgets the significance of unified wisdom and strength. However, just as Zeus
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In the Odyssey, Circe, Kalypso, Nausikaa, Arete, and Penelope all share these characteristics. They present obstacles in Odysseus’ journey and increase his desire for wisdom and order, but also stand as a source of wisdom. When Odysseus first reaches Phaeakia, Athene instructs him to seek the favor of the Queen Arete, disclosing to Odysseus that “there is no good intelligence that she herself lacks. / she dissolves quarrels, even among men” (Odyssey 7.73-74). Knowing that Arete is a source of wisdom, Athene directs Odysseus to her for aid recognizing the significance of that …show more content…
But come now, eat your food and drink your wine…(Odyssey 10.457-460)
Faced with a choice between hardship and pleasure, Odysseus initially chooses the bestial passions – eating, drinking, and merrymaking. However, once “a year was completed” (Odyssey 10.467), Odysseus and his men ask to leave, discontent with these pleasures. Odysseus recognizes the missing sense of order, and desiring to struggle homeward rather than edifying his carnal desires. Kalypso, Odysseus’ captor for seven years, tests Odysseus with promise of divinity, hoping to “make him immortal and all his days… endless”(Odyssey 5.136). Kalypso’s passionate love bestows glimpses of this eternal pleasure upon Odysseus, yet he still petitions Kalypso to send him on his way home:
Goddess and queen, do not be angry with me. I myself know
That 's all you say is true and that circumspect Penelope
Can never match the impression you make for beauty and stature…
But even so… I pine to see my day of homecoming (Odyssey
In the Odyssey, Circe, Kalypso, Nausikaa, Arete, and Penelope all share these characteristics. They present obstacles in Odysseus’ journey and increase his desire for wisdom and order, but also stand as a source of wisdom. When Odysseus first reaches Phaeakia, Athene instructs him to seek the favor of the Queen Arete, disclosing to Odysseus that “there is no good intelligence that she herself lacks. / she dissolves quarrels, even among men” (Odyssey 7.73-74). Knowing that Arete is a source of wisdom, Athene directs Odysseus to her for aid recognizing the significance of that …show more content…
But come now, eat your food and drink your wine…(Odyssey 10.457-460)
Faced with a choice between hardship and pleasure, Odysseus initially chooses the bestial passions – eating, drinking, and merrymaking. However, once “a year was completed” (Odyssey 10.467), Odysseus and his men ask to leave, discontent with these pleasures. Odysseus recognizes the missing sense of order, and desiring to struggle homeward rather than edifying his carnal desires. Kalypso, Odysseus’ captor for seven years, tests Odysseus with promise of divinity, hoping to “make him immortal and all his days… endless”(Odyssey 5.136). Kalypso’s passionate love bestows glimpses of this eternal pleasure upon Odysseus, yet he still petitions Kalypso to send him on his way home:
Goddess and queen, do not be angry with me. I myself know
That 's all you say is true and that circumspect Penelope
Can never match the impression you make for beauty and stature…
But even so… I pine to see my day of homecoming (Odyssey