The Role Of Self Restraint In Homer's Odyssey

Psychology of Self-Restraint in The Odyssey of Homer

Critic Jean Starobinsky wisely said that “in every case, wisdom consists of stifling the irrational impulse, in not letting loose the word or impulse that would spell disaster” (Starobinsky). Set in the Ancient Greek kingdom of Ithaca, Homer’s The Odyssey, follows the epic return of Odysseus to his kingdom ten years following the Trojan War. Homer makes several observations about the psychological mindset needed for self restraint. During his absence, a mob of suitors invaded his palace to court his faithful wife, Penelope. Meanwhile, inexperienced prince Telemachus struggles to overthrow them while attempting to establish himself as the new leader of Ithaca. However, the suitors are

Particularly, in the scene in which Odysseus and Telemachos are reunited, he must protect his identity in order to restore power to his household. Here, both Telemachus and Odysseus must demonstrate great restraint towards Penelope’s suitors, as father commands his son, “even if they drag me by my feet through the palace or pelt me with missiles; you must still look on and endure it” (16, 276-7). Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus must be prepared to endure abuse from the suitors as he strategizes their demise. Antinoos, angered by Odysseus-the-beggars pleas for food, “threw the footstool and hit him in the right shoulder” (17, 462). Restraining his anger, Odysseus “stood up to it, steady as a rock” (463-4). Evidently, this psychological torment requires great strength to resist, however, the king disregards this as he is “fighting a battle for the sake of his own possessions” (471). When the honor of his family and household are in question, the king tolerates acts of disrespect because he knows that “pausing was essential” (Shapiro) in order to comprehend the distant consequences of impulsive