Analysis of The Odyssey

Beatriz Ledezma

Writing/Grammar 12.1

T. Rafael Blotta

July 7th, 2015

Rolling in The Deep:

They could’ve had it all, but then they angered the gods

        Sometimes, people have rough days at work. Days that seem to have no distinguishable end, when one tries to finish the tasks set before one only to realize that, after finishing the challenge, one is not nearly done. Even more unnervingly, it seems that, even though the last challenge seemed burdensome, it was nothing compared to what is yet to come. This is The Odyssey’s Book XII for Odysseus.

        The emotionally exhausting voyage that is Book XII did not fall short on the symbolic messages the other chapters of the book evoked. Homer’s world presents symbols ranging from specific objects to actual geographical locations. If one were to choose a main theme, however, it would be that of temptation. Besides this, this story leaves the readers a message; it is that, sometimes, one must pick the lesser of two evils.

        There are three main challenges that Odysseus and his crew must face after they leave Circe’s island: navigating through The Isles of the Sirens, passing through the strait of Messina, and surviving a month in the island of Thrinacia. These three challenges must be overcome in different ways, which serve as yet another display of Odysseus’ leadership.

        The Isles of the Sirens section is the most obvious symbol for temptation in Book XII. Mermaids themselves have been a symbol of temptation and seduction since humankind has devised them, their chants being so hauntingly beautiful it drives men insane. Their particular symbolism in this story may derive from the patriarchal Greek society’s tendency to blame women for men’s inappropriate lust, which is present in a vast amount of myths (i.e. most of the stories including Zeus and Hera). It is also used as a resource to show Odysseus as a very clever man, foreseeing how to listen to the sirens and not die. He, being a very curious man, cannot resist the temptation to know what the siren’s songs sound like. His intelligence is proven to overcome the immediate, congenital desires that distract him from his homeward journey. He keeps himself tied to his original course because of his intellectual understanding of himself and his longing to be home, probably motivated by Circe’s words when she warns him that “any one [who] unwarily draws in too close and hears the singing of the Sirens, his wife and children will never welcome him home again,” (Homer, Book XII).

        Odysseus is, again, tested when he must make an incredibly difficult choice that calls for ultimate leadership from his part. He must either sail towards a deadly, rock-packed section of the ocean; Charybdis, a hideous bladder of a monster with an uncontrollable thirst for the sea; or Scylla, a terrifying six-headed, man-eating monster. This harrowing situation is likely to be the origin of the idiom “stuck between a rock and a hard place”. Be it true or not, the strait of Messina is, undoubtedly, the epitome of the phrase.

        Ultimately, Odysseus choice to go though Scylla’s path seems to be the wisest. However, we can see he is put in a really difficult situation when this happens. He cannot tell his men the fate they would go through, for he fears their uncooperativeness. In the midst of battle, one may detect a bit of selfishness from Odysseus’ part. While Circe tells him not to battle Scylla, and he knows he is unable to win, he still puts on armor while his men are defenseless. This may indicate that, while he is in favor of having six men sacrifice themselves for the rest, he is not in favor of being one of them himself. This passage in particular shows us another side to Odysseus, which may be more relatable. Who would not do this, with the knowledge he had? We can also see how heart wrenching this scene is to Odysseus, for he refers to the sight of Scylla eating his men as " the most sickening sight that I ever saw throughout all my voyages." (Homer, Book XII). This means, not even Polyphemus ripping his men apart alive was as ghastly as Scylla devouring these six men. A particular phrase seeks to tug at the reader’s heartstrings when Odysseus says: “I heard them call out my name in one last despairing cry” (Homer, Book XII). This man stood completely helpless as his comrades were eaten alive.

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