Introduction to Homecoming in The Odyssey
According to the conventions of ancient Greek myths, a legendary hero’s journey to his homeland, a la theme of homecoming in The Odyssey, after undergoing a series of adventures was replete with innumerable challenges and tribulations. Nostos, a Greek equivalent of homecoming is a significant term in this regard and aptly portrays the return journey undertaken by Odysseus in The Odyssey. It needs to be highlighted that what makes Odysseus’s journey different from the traditional homecoming journey is his longing for his loved his wife and son and thus his yearning for the land of his ancestors. The acute sense of displacement and alienation experienced by Odysseus while traveling amidst foreign lands generates a fierce in him to embark on a homeward journey. This journeying toward his native land contributes to Odysseus’s growth since it enables him to experience the physical repercussions of traveling while simultaneously undergoing an inward quest.
Voyage in Homecoming in The Odyssey
Odysseus’s voyage to his homeland lands or his homecoming in The Odyssey comes across an island occupied by the nymph Calypso. He becomes entrapped in this island since Calypso imprisons him. Her primary reason for imprisoning Odysseus is her self-professed love towards him, which compels her to tempt Odysseus by promising him an immortal existence. To ensure that Odysseus is unable to escape, Calypso keeps him entrapped at Ogygia. Once imprisoned, Odysseus becomes aware of the difficulties that will beset him before he can ultimately reunite with his beloved wife, Penelope at Ithaca and his son Telemachus. The fact that both Zeus and Ino, the queen of Thebes, ordain and sanction his journey does not minimize the trials encountered by Odyssey; his homeward quest remains equally challenging. Zeus’s unflinching support to Odysseus’s homeward journey becomes evident when he contrives a scheme in Book-V to force Calypso to let him go home as “She keeps him there / by force, and he’s unable to sail off / and get back to his native land” (Book-V lines16-19).
As asserted earlier, when Calypso tempts him with the notion of attaining immortality, Odysseus resists this temptation by stating;
My quiet Penélopê—how well I know—
would seem a shade before your majesty,
death and old age being unknown to you,
while she must die. Yet, it is true, each day
I long for home, long for the sight of home. (Book-V lines 225-229)
Hero and Homecoming in The Odyssey
However, as time progresses this resistance of Odysseus is somewhat overshadowed by his desire to attain immortality and hence, he keeps wavering between his longing for his wife and homeland and his desire to remain in Ogygia. It seemes there are more obstructions in homecoming in The Odyssey. As rightly said in Book-I, this conflict was often times experienced by a man “while he alone still hungered / for home and wife.” (Book-I 19-20). It is noteworthy that during moments of painful nostalgic recollections, Odysseus becomes engulfed by memories of his wife and his native land. Eventually, Calypso decides to set him free and assists him in building a raft- one that would enable Odysseus to leave Calypso’s island. During his sea voyage, the sea god Poseidon erects several barriers for Odysseus thereby making his sea journey excruciatingly difficult. However, once Poseidon orders the storm to cease, Odysseus is able to safely reach the island inhabited by Phaeacians- Scheria.
Seduction and Homecoming in The Odyssey
On the Phaeacians’ island, Odysseus is awakened by the princess Nausicaa during his homecoming in The Odyssey. She then introduces this legendary warrior to her father- Alcinous- and Arete- his wife. Both of them welcome the much exhausted stranger. On realizing Odysseus’s strong resolve to return to his homeland and reunite with his family, the king consults his advisors and issues orders that Odysseus be given a safe passage home. Referring to Odysseus, the king remarks, “Now he appeals to me for conveyance home” (Book-VIII 32). Odysseus’s unwavering desire to return home is evident from the fact that he halfheartedly participates in the competitions. During the competition, his mind keeps reverting to memories of his wife and in a state of intense longing he states “I sit here at your field meet, yes; but only / as one who begs your king to send him home” (Book-VIII 163-164).
After leaving the island inhabited by Polyphemus, Odysseus is confronted by the goddess of magic- Circe, another milestone in homecoming in The Odyssey. On her insistence, Odysseus goes to the dark hitherto unexplored territory- the underworld. In the underworld, he comes across his dead mother, meets his dead comrades and Tiresias. Even the pleas made by these individuals cannot prevent Odysseus from retracting his adamant decision of pursuing a homeward journey. Furthermore, the enticing luxuries and other innumerable temptations also fail to thwart Odysseus’s desire of going home.
Conclusion
Odysseus then recounts the final episode of his voyage- his encountering of the Sirens and his confrontation with the sea monster- Charybdis. Eventually, his homecoming in The Odyssey reaches its completion when he safely reaches his destination via a Phaeacians’ ship. Throughout his brief and prolonged stays at various places, Nostos remains his primary aim. All forms of dangers, tribulations and distractions pale in comparison to his objective of returning to the land of his ancestors- a land rife with memories of his loved ones.
Works Cited
Homer. Odyssey. n.d. Robert Fitzgerald. 04 March 2022. <cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/…/https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer-Robert-S-J-Fitzgerald/dp/009951168105_273-611_Homer%202_Aesop.pdf>.
Relevant Questions about Homecoming in The Odyssey
- How does the theme of homecoming in “The Odyssey” manifest in Odysseus’ challenging journey back to Ithaca and his eventual homecoming?
- In what ways does Penelope’s steadfast belief in Odysseus and her dedication to their marriage influence the theme of homecoming in “The Odyssey”?
- How does the concept of homecoming symbolize not only Odysseus’ physical return but also his personal growth, transformation, and the reestablishment of order in Ithaca in “The Odyssey”?
