I am overall confused over Odysseus’ situation in The Odyssey by Homer. I understand that he constantly cries over his failed attempt to journey home yet there is no mention as to how exactly Calypso is forcing him to stay with he nor is there any mention of Odysseus attempting to escape. However, I do not particularly hold Odysseus accountable for the latter because I am guessing that a mortal who purposely defies a god will suffer great punishment. It is odd that Odysseus has been referred to as “great” several times and yet there is no real explanation as to why he is so highly esteemed. Hermes did once call him a wicked man but there was no explanation and to why he did so. Calypso does not reveal why she would even bother to make Odysseus immortal or why she wants him as her lover. Penelope has spent twenty years missing her husband and continues to grieve for him everyday; she shows absolutely no interest in any of her very persistent suitors. People almost seem to worship Odysseus and it is so strange because they worship him for no apparent reason. I wonder what Athena sees in Odysseus that enables her to spend so much of her time trying to get him back home. Although Zeus has expressed concern over Odysseus’ situation, Athena is the only god who is actively trying to ensure his arrival back home. She even consoles Odysseus’ wife Penelope when the poor woman worries over her son’s uncertain future. I just do not know why Athena even cares much at all about the whole situation. The character of Odysseus is a mystery but the intentions of Athena are just confusing.
Although I may not know of her motives, I understand that Athena wants Odysseus to go back to his home. I presumed this meant that she wants Odysseus to be with his wife Penelope again. Why she would make Odysseus more attractive so that the princess Nausicaa would take more notice of him, I do not understand. I do not see how tempting Odysseus with the naked body of a young, virgin princess and tempting the princess with a beautiful man is going to help Athena with her original plan. Athena even planted the idea of impending marriage in Nausicaa’s mind the night before she meets Odysseus. At this point, I cannot be sure what Athena’s plan is. Whatever she is trying to accomplish must be important to her since she is willing to disrespect Poseidon’s wish to keep Odysseus from his home; Poseidon may begin to take revenge on Athena for helping Odysseus. The plot is getting confusing and all the unknowns are a little frustrating.
