Odysseus Roles In Homer's Odyssey

In the epic poem the Odyssey, Homer's main character Odysseus portrays three different roles. Unfortunately, not all of Odysseus’s characteristics are outstanding for a biblical worldview. The reason for this is because the manner in which he handles himself as a military leader, a husband and occasionally a father, is not the manner in which a Christian should handle himself. On the other hand, Odysseus’s relationships that he has with his army, wife and family are one that are mostly carried out in the manner of a Christian. It is strange that Odysseus cares deeply for his men and as well as his son, but does not seem to be as deeply connected to his wife
Through there are several different aspects of the roles that Odysseus plays as a military leader, a husband and a father that were noble, there are also many other aspects that would not be considered that way from a biblical perspective.

Odysseus is an excellent military leader in many respects, mostly since he is constantly proving how loyal he his to his men, and is selfless in nearly every situation he faces. In addition, Odysseus genuinely cares about his men
and does not only use them. To start off, on the island of Circe, Odysseus is presented with the choice of sleeping with Circe. Even though he throws away his morals and is unfaithful to his wife, he does so in the hopes of freeing his army. After this deed is done, Circe offers Odysseus a feast, but he can not find an appetite when his men are still under enchantment. “If you wish me in truth to eat and drink as you ask, then set them free and let me see my loyal friends with my own eyes.” Furthermore, when Odysseus and his men are trapped in the cave of the Cyclops, instead of Odysseus using his brains to get himself out of this situation, he involves his crew and devises a plan to help their escape. In the same way, God rescues us from bondage and is loyal towards us. “who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the main violence.” (Psalms 18:48) Odysseus recused his crew when they were in dangerous situation similar to how God rescues us.

Unfortunately, as a husband, Odysseus does not have such a Christian mannerism. He says how he much he wants to get back to his wife and seems very loyal, but his actions on the island with Circe prove otherwise. For example, when he is on the island of Circe, his men are turned into pigs by her hand, so Odysseus tries to find a way to free them. Given that she is not giving up easily Odysseus is offered an option by the God Hermes to sleep with her, so she will let his men go. Odysseus has no strong need to sleep with her, which he says to Circe. “I have no desire to go to bed with you, goddess, unless you swear a solemn oath by the blessed gods not to try and harm me with your mischief.” But he is no completely opposed to it and settles with that option. Even though his men were under Circe's captivity and Odysseus was not given another choice, he was still being unfaithful to his wife, for he did not mind the resolution he had to turn to. In fact, after his men were released from Circe's spell, he slept with her again, “When the sun sank and darkness fell, they settled down to sleep in the shadowy hall, but I went to Circe’s lovely bed, and clasped her knees, and the goddess listened as I spoke winged words:” The Bible speaks very strongly against adultery, which is what he committed. “If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.”
Leviticus 20:10

Thankfully, when it comes to the case of being a father, Odysseus seems to excel at that more than being a husband. For instance, Odysseus tried everything in his power to restore the family to what it use to be. Just in this way, God is fighting hard for us to stay true to him, but He cannot obtain that relationship on His own, we have to fight too. As his father fought for their family’s safety, so did Telemachus offer up his services to fight side by side with his father. Odysseus is protective of his son and does abandoned him to fight the evil suitors alone, but takes the lead in the charge. Just in this way, God fight on our side when we need it the most. “One man of you puts to flight a thousand thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.” (Joshua 23:10) In addition, the fatherly figure does not rebuke Telemachus for letting the suitors take over their home so easily. In fact, Odysseus never mentions to his son that it was his fault, but is gracious and kind.

Though there are many characteristics about Odysseus that are admirable, he still has faults.
His actions as a military leader are ones that are attractive, as a husband, he did not handle himself in a Christlike manner and as a father his behavior was one that could be looked up to. When he is portrayed as a military leader, he treats his men fairly and cares about the lives of each of them. However, as a husband, Odysseus is unfaithful, but when he plays the roles of a father, he is only concerned with the reunion of his family. Unfortunately, Odysseus does not always handle himself with the perspective of a Christian worldview, especially when it counts. While Odysseus does not follow in the footsteps of a Christian in some of the roles he plays, there are some aspects of his leadership and fatherly involvement that would be considered
honorable.