In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus is a celebrated king and hero who is tragically lost at sea for 20 years, tirelessly defeating every obstacle him and his crew stumble upon in attempt to get back home to his wife and son in his kingdom of Ithaca. Although Odysseus faces many temptations along his journey, he doesn’t stray from his goal to return home, by always keeping his family in mind. Despite being written centuries ago, this novel holds strong connections to modern day, and our education systems and society as a whole should read this story of overcoming difficulties for the things that matter most in life, as to remind us of our true values. Odysseus’ journey easily connects to modern everyday trials, such as the newly popular video game
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This is shown when Odysseus must overcome being stuck on Ogygia, a lush island where the beautiful goddess, Calypso, resides. When dining with Odysseus, Calypso offers him an immortal life with her; saying that he can “...Preside in our house with me and be immortal. Much as you long to see your wife..” to which Odysseus responds “She falls short of you, your beauty, stature. [...] Nevertheless I long- I pine all my days to travel home.” (159) Despite promise of an everlasting life with a luminous goddess, Odysseus rejects Calypso’s request for marriage and immortality. His love for his wife and want to return home outweighs Calypso’s entrancing request to stay. He admits that his wife isn’t as beautiful as Calypso, but still he misses her and wants to return home to his loved ones, so Odysseus resists the temptations of immortality. This requires mental strength, because although he would be free of pain on Ogygia, Odysseus still decides to continue the harsh fight against the world for the chance to return to his family. This interaction shows that the pain that comes with the human experience is dulled over the desire for family; and it continues to be a core motivator for issues we face to this day, just as it did
This is shown when Odysseus must overcome being stuck on Ogygia, a lush island where the beautiful goddess, Calypso, resides. When dining with Odysseus, Calypso offers him an immortal life with her; saying that he can “...Preside in our house with me and be immortal. Much as you long to see your wife..” to which Odysseus responds “She falls short of you, your beauty, stature. [...] Nevertheless I long- I pine all my days to travel home.” (159) Despite promise of an everlasting life with a luminous goddess, Odysseus rejects Calypso’s request for marriage and immortality. His love for his wife and want to return home outweighs Calypso’s entrancing request to stay. He admits that his wife isn’t as beautiful as Calypso, but still he misses her and wants to return home to his loved ones, so Odysseus resists the temptations of immortality. This requires mental strength, because although he would be free of pain on Ogygia, Odysseus still decides to continue the harsh fight against the world for the chance to return to his family. This interaction shows that the pain that comes with the human experience is dulled over the desire for family; and it continues to be a core motivator for issues we face to this day, just as it did