Examples Of Fidelity In The Odyssey

Faithful Odysseus

What does fidelity mean? Merriam-Webster defines this term as, “The quality or state of being faithful.” (webster) In the book The Odyssey by Homer, we are introduced to the Trojan war hero named Odysseus, who spends 20 years venturing home to be reunited with his loving wife, Penelope, and son Telemachus. Through twists and turns of the epic, Odysseus is faced with scenarios which might leave the reader thinking that he is an adulterer. If one is physically unfaithful, does it make the act justifiable if it was for his survival? Can a man actually go 20 years without sex? Odysseus was sexually unfaithful to Penelope, but emotionally, his heart still lie with her. There are many scenarios through out the epic that could

She is an egocentric and dominating goddess, with a plan to make him her immortal husband. Odysseus has a sexual relationship with her, in hopes that one day he will escape and be on his way home to Penelope. Our narrator paints a picture for us about Odysseus’s true desires,

“The sweet days of his life time were running out in anguish over his exile, for long ago the nymph had ceased to please, though he fought shy of her and her desire, he lay with her each night, for she compelled him. But when day came he sat on the rocky shore and broke is own heart groaning, with eyes wet scanning the bare horizon of the sea.” (pg 85 stz 160) Odysseus longs for his wife. He is not interested in intimacy with Calypso, rather, he does the sexual act to appease the

Calypso becomes jealous, because she knows in her heart that Odysseus wants to be with his love. She says,

“Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your own home? Even so, I wish you well. If you could see it all, before you go-- all the adversity you face at sea—You would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortal—though you wanted her forever, that bride for whom you pine each day. Can I be less desirable than she is? Less interesting? Less beautiful? Can mortals compare with goddesses in grace and form? (87)

Odysseus believes Calypso to be a beautiful goddess, but she will never compare to Penelope in his mind. Odysseus tries to pacify the nymph by explaining his love for Penelope. He explains that even though she is a mortal and will one day die, she is worth sailing across the dangerous sea in hopes that he will eventually reach her.

Later on in the epic Odysseus and his men encounter a witch--goddess named Circe in Aeaea. She drugs Odysseus and his men, and turns them to swine. Odysseus is advised by Hermes to eat a special herb to gain immunity. Circe seduces Odysseus and says