Odysseus Use Of Deception In Homer's Odyssey
The use of deception in different ways shows the contrasting interests of its users. For one it can be used for good, to protect others and uphold the values of loyalty and honor, whereas in other cases it can be used to promote greed and selfishness. Within the odyssey, Odysseus utilizes it for good, while others choose to use it for evil. Antinous and Eurymachus use deception to promote their own selfish desires and attempt to exploit others for their own personal gain. When word of the return of Telemachus reached the suitors, the suitors needed a way to secure the hand of Penelope. Becoming greedy for the throne, and with hope of gaining what they sought regardless of the jeopardy those wishes due to the return of Telemachus, Antinous knows
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Though this, Eurymachus lies to Penelope and tells her the boy should not fear dying “from the suitors at least,” (Odyssey 16.495) and this lie is deceptive, for Eurymachus has not such plan of keeping Telemachus alive, and is in fact plotting his murder. While on the surface his intentions may have looked good. Eurymachus attempted to deceive Penelope by attempting to provide her with false reassurance, so that she would not suspect his plot to kill his son, and to differentiate him from the other suitors. Eurymachus used deception to lead Penelope to believe that he truly cared about the well-being of Penelope and Telemachus, and was not attempting to just gain her hand in marriage and gain the wealth of Odysseus' kingdom. As demonstrated by the suitors, deception can be used maliciously, in efforts to promote one’s personal agenda, even at the expense of another person’s well-being. Hades has a desire to make Persephone his wife, and as depicted by the plan that Hades and Zeus created “without the knowledge of Demeter and the golden sword,” (Demeter 4). Initially taking Persephone for his own enjoyment and pleasure at the expense of Persephone being unable to see her mother, as well as the comforts and lush pastures of the world above, Hades also deprives Demeter of her daughter, inhibiting the plants from
Though this, Eurymachus lies to Penelope and tells her the boy should not fear dying “from the suitors at least,” (Odyssey 16.495) and this lie is deceptive, for Eurymachus has not such plan of keeping Telemachus alive, and is in fact plotting his murder. While on the surface his intentions may have looked good. Eurymachus attempted to deceive Penelope by attempting to provide her with false reassurance, so that she would not suspect his plot to kill his son, and to differentiate him from the other suitors. Eurymachus used deception to lead Penelope to believe that he truly cared about the well-being of Penelope and Telemachus, and was not attempting to just gain her hand in marriage and gain the wealth of Odysseus' kingdom. As demonstrated by the suitors, deception can be used maliciously, in efforts to promote one’s personal agenda, even at the expense of another person’s well-being. Hades has a desire to make Persephone his wife, and as depicted by the plan that Hades and Zeus created “without the knowledge of Demeter and the golden sword,” (Demeter 4). Initially taking Persephone for his own enjoyment and pleasure at the expense of Persephone being unable to see her mother, as well as the comforts and lush pastures of the world above, Hades also deprives Demeter of her daughter, inhibiting the plants from