Theme Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

Odysseus, the main character of The Odyssey, is a man of great courage who is married to Penelope, Queen of Ithaca. Even though it is fundamentally known that Odysseus is in union with Penelope, he is involved in intimate actions with a few goddesses on his journey home to Ithaca from the Trojan War. For example, regardless of Odysseus’ longing to return home, he is tempted first by Calypso, spending eight years imprisoned on her island, and ultimately remaining true to Penelope in his heart. Also, he spends a year with Circe, a seductress, in order to liberate his men from living as swine. Furthermore, Odysseus’ faithfulness to Penelope is almost compromised when he and his men pass the Sirens—women who entice men to their “death” utilizing their beautiful voices. Additionally, Greek and Christian marriage standards are distinct. Christians believe that marriage is a sacrament, or union between one man and one woman that is blessed by the church, while pagans hold to a belief of self-uniting marriage known as “handfasting”. In this paper, it will be explained how Odysseus remained faithful to his wife, Penelope, through examples discussed in The Odyssey, an epic. Furthermore, the
The differences between pagan and Christian standards on marriage have been revealed. Throughout the epic, there have been many examples of times where Odysseus is tempted by seductresses. He has his first encounter with Calypso, where he is bound by love and temptations for eight years. Next, he remains with Circe on Aeaea for a year in order to liberate his men from living as swine. Furthermore, he is seduced by the beautifully singing Sirens, and is tied to a mast of the ship so he stays sane. To conclude, Odysseus stays faithful to his wife, Penelope, throughout the epic and reunites with her after more than twenty years on his