Category Archives: The Odyssey

In the Odyssey, Odysseus constantly faces many hardships on his plan for returning home after ten years of war. He is captivated on Calypso’s island for seven years and is finally released after Athena persuades Zeus to send Hermes to allow this decision. Being that Odysseus’ boats were destroyed previously, Calypso helps him build a raft to only be destroyed by his enemy, Poseidon. Poseidon creates a storm to wreck Odysseus’ boat because of the release Odysseus during his absence. Odysseus and his men later on are captured by Cyclops Polyphemus and manage to escape after blinding him. After escaping the land of Cyclops, he travels to Aeolus, the ruler of the winds for help. Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of winds directing him and his men the way home. On the boat as Odysseus is asleep, the sailors open the bag thinking it contains gold and all the wind flies out stirring in with the storm. Odysseus then sails back to Aeolus’ island seeking for help, but only for Aeolus telling him to get out of his island. He states “Crawling back like this- it proves the immortals hate you! Out-get out!” (p. 372) Odysseus then leaves in despair, but still filled with hopes.

A similar article in the NY Times that closely relates to the situation of Odysseus is called Trapped 68 Days, First Chilean Miners Taste Freedom. These miners were trapped half a mile underground for more than two months and managed to survive through the obstacles. Being underground, it was dark and had barely any food for them. The drilling in order to save the miners required many people to take part in this action including NASA and many drilling experts. Even before the rescue, many people believed that the miners would survive and endure this challenge. Mr. Piñera states “I had a strong conviction, very deep inside of me, that they were alive, and that was a strong support for my actions.” As one victim is saved, his father states “I’m so overcome with emotion now, as if I’ve been touched by God.” This shows the happiness of the miners and their family being able to reunite.

This article resemble Odysseus’ sequence of adventures as he battles to go home. He doesn’t give up his hopes and even if his hopes are deceived, he still insists on returning home to reunite with his wife and son where he finally does at the end after engaging in an archery competition with the suitors. The nurse tells Penelope “Follow me down! So now, after all the years of grief, you two can embark, loving hearts, along the road to joy.”  (p. 533) This shows how happy Penelope should be that her husband is back and awaiting for their reunion. Both the Odyssey and Chile miners endured such a long journey just to see their family again.

In the Odyssey, Odysseus is faced with making a decision where both choices have dreadful outcomes.  Circe informs Odysseus that on his voyage back to Ithaca he will come across two sea monsters, Charybdis and Scylla. Scylla is a six headed monster that will kill six of Odysseus’s men regardless of what they do. Charybdis is a whirlpool that will swallow the entire ship. Going through either of these monsters will result in devastation. After Odysseus asks if he will be able to fight off Scylla, Circe tells Odysseus, “Can’t you bow to the deathless gods themselves? Scylla’s no mortal, she’s an immortal devastation, terrible, savage, wild, no fighting her, no defense– just flee the creature, that’s the only way. Waste any time, arming for battle beside her rock, I fear she’ll lunge out again with all six of her heads and seize as many men” (A, 403). She tells him basically that the death of six men is impossible to avoid, but attempting to fight will just result in the unnecessary death of more men. The best way for Odysseus to handle the situation is to row as fast as possible and just go straight through Scylla.
 The New York Times posted an article with a similar situation, Across the U.S. Long Recovery Looks Like Recession. This article talks about how the United States is in a recovery at the current time, though key components of the economy are still going downhill. There are still not enough jobs, the housing market is down, and foreclosures and debt are serious problems. The government had to make a decision, like Odysseus, between doing nothing and have things never get better or attempt to fix the economy where things may get worse before better. Attempting to do more than what is already being done will just make the economy worse, the only way to get through the recession is to wait. This is similar to the Odyssey because although Odysseus wants to fight Scylla to save his men, the best thing for him to do is nothing. Even though the economy does not seem to be getting any better, the article shows that it will over time. The article states, “This dreary accounting should not suggest a nation without strengths. Unemployment rates have come down from their peaks in swaths of the United States, from Vermont to Minnesota to Wisconsin. Port traffic has increased, and employers have created an average of 68,111 jobs a month this year.”  This shows that the situation may look bad, however it is improving. Just as Odysseus has to go through Scylla and lose six men, the outcome of just going through will end up in the best possible way. The economy has to get through the rough part of the recovery to end up successful.

October 13, 2010 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E7DC173EF930A25753C1A9669D8B63&scp=2&sq=across%20the%20u.s.%20long%20recovery%20looks%20like%20recession&st=cse

Questions:

1. Compare and contrast the role of the God/gods in Genesis, the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey.
2. Is Odysseus a good leader?
3. Analyze and give an example of the situation when a protagonist(s) from Genesis is (are) between Scylla and Charybdis.

One of the best know antique piece of writing is Odyssey by Homer. It is a story about a hero, Odysseus, who fights in Troy. When he is coming back home he blinds Poseidon’s son what causes many problems in his life and expend his journey. The god of oceans gets very angry and tries to do everything to make Odysseus way to be very difficult and as long as possible. During the journey Odysseus has to make many difficult decisions such as how to protect himself and his people. Once he faces extremely complicated situation. He has to decide if he wants to pick a way where Scylla, monster living in the rocks, will kill six of his people or if he picks another way and everybody in the cruse will die because of other monster Charybdis.

“Charybdis gulps the dark water down. Three times a day she vomits it up, three times she gulps it down, that terror!  Don’t be there when the whirlpool swallows down-not even the earthquake god could save you from disaster. No, hug Scylla’s crag-sail on past her-top speed! Better by far to lose six men and keep your ship than lose your entire crew.” (A 402)

Finally, Odysseus scarifies six of his friends and leads his cruse to meet Scylla. Few of his people die however most of them survive. The idiom “between Scylla and Charybdis” is used in modern world to describe the situation where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger or making any possible choices lead to seriously consequences.
The New York Times article “No Clear Path for China After Nobel Choice” by Didi Kirsten Tatlow is about Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo who won Nobel Prize. He is one of the revolutionists who fight for human rights in communistic China.  Because of his action against the government he went to jail for 11 years (and he is still in jail now). The commission which decides who is allegeable for Nobel Prize had to face very difficult problem.  Liu Xiaobo is called as criminal by Chinese communists; however, in other countries he is seeing as super hero who fights for human rights. Many people believe that if he lives in China he has to be following Chinese law. They argue “[e]ach country has its own laws, its own rules and its own profit, no matter what. For a person who is a criminal under Chinese law to win the Nobel Peace Prize, well, that’s ironic.” Others claim that no matter what the law says the human rights are basic rights and can’t be omitted. They response that “everyone knows there are problems in China related to lack of human rights and democracy” and use this metaphor: “even if you know your mother is ugly, you’re still unhappy when you hear others saying it. What you want to do is to protect and change her, not listen to others criticize her” to describe the situation in China.  In addition, China is one of the biggest countries which trades oversee. Taking any action against the government can cause disagreement and loses in global market. That’s why Noble Prize commission was between Scylla and Charibdys. They could give a Nobel Prize to Liu and break up good relationship with China or against their believes give it to one of the other candidates and keep good relationship with that country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/world/asia/15iht-letter.html?ref=liu_xiaobo

         The Odyssey by Homer is a story about a soldier, Odysseus, who has to live his family before the Troy war in which he fights. Unfortunately, he is coming back to Ithaca is 20 years. During this time his son, Telemachus, is growing up and becomes an adult man. His wife, Penelope, is adored by many suitors who want to marry her. However, she is not interested in any of them because she still loves Odysseus and still believes he will be back home. As Telemachus says “[h]e [Odysseus] fathered me, he left me behind at home, and from me he got no joy. So now our house is plagued by swarms of enemies.” (A 451) Even if many men occupy her house and waste her wealth she can’t get rid of them because of hospitality law which is very important in Ithaca. Also, she asks gods to take care about her husband and protect him during his journey.  Finally, with Athena’s help Odysseus comes back home and enjoy reunion with his family. “…the royal couple, once they’d reveled in all the longed-for joys of love, reveled in each other’s stories…” (A 539)
The New York Times article “Trapped 68 Days, First Chilean Miners Taste Freedom” by Alexei Barrionuevo and Simon Romero is about miners trapped underground for 68 days. During first 17 days they didn’t have contact with the rest of the world. After that they were able to communicate with others. By using advanced technology they kept in touch with their families and friends. It was extremely important to give them hope to be refused and keep them in good mental condition. After that time the small capsule was used to refuse all miners one by one. When the capsule opened they could enjoy reunion with their relatives who strongly believed in happy end of that horrible accident. One of the fathers who waited for his so to be refused said full of happiness “My boy is finally safe. My boy is finally safe.” Also, families pray to God to help all miners to be rescued. They said “We hope that with the help of God this epic will end in a happy way.” All miners were able to enjoy reunion with their families.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/world/americas/13chile.html?scp=1&sq=68%20days&st=cse

          Greek soldier, Odysseus, is a successful leader. During his voyage, he faces many difficult situations. So, he implies his knowledge and leadership skills for the benefits of his men. Sometimes he deals with situations that are very dilemmatic. He is informed by the goddess, Circe say that throughout his way back home to Ithaca, he will go through a terrific situation that will require him making a tuff decision. In addition, two sea monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, are waiting in separate waterways to destroy his ship and deaths of his men. If he journey through the way where Scylla remains, he will lose six of men. Conversely, he will lose all of his men and himself if he follows the way of Charybdis. “No, hug Scylla’s crag—sail on past her—top speed! Better by far to lose six men and keep your ship than lose your entire crew” (A 402: 119-121). Despite the loss of men’s, he chooses to lose six men. 

          According to New York Times article, Trapped 68 Days, First Chilean Miners Taste Freedom” by Alexei Barrionuevo talks about a horrible accident that happen in the mine causing the workers to stay trapped for sixty-eight days. Many Chilean are thinning that there might not be any survivors left; however, Chile president Sabastian Pinera had different thoughts. “I had strong convictions, very deep inside of me, that they were alive and that was a strong support for my actions…” So he decides to rescue the miners, even though, there is small or no chance for any survivors. In addition, he has to spend a large sum of money for the rescue; whereas, this money can be used for his next election. However, he doesn’t think about himself but only about the possible survivors. Both the president of Chile and Odyssey make tuff decisions along their leadership.

          The Odyssey, by Homer is about a Greek hero named Odysseus. Even if the Trojan War is over for twenty years, Odysseus is still unable to return to his home, Ithaca. . “By now, all the survivors, all who [avoid] headlong death [are] safe at home, [escape] the wars and waves. But one man alone…” (A 259:13–15). In addition, many people believe that he is dead. During his absence, many things changes at home. A large group of suitors occupies his entire house and try to marry his wife, Penelope. But, Penelope strongly believes that Odysseus will return; so, she says “…I long for my husband—alive in memory, always…” (A 268: 394). His return to home delays because he has to face a series of adventurous journeys.

          Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, grows up and seeks for his father. Penelope requests gods to keep her husband protected from obstacles during his trip. With the help of Athena, finally, Odyssey returns home and reunites with his family. His father is also very happy to see the return of his son and “… [throw] his arms around his own dear son…” (A 549: 386).
    

The New York Times article “Trapped 68 Days, First Chilean Miners Taste Freedom” by Alexei Barrionuevo and Simon Romero is about the escape of miners trapped in the mine for sixty-eight days All of them become very upset and pray for their rescue. Using advance technology, after seventeen days of being trapped, they communicate with their family members. Rescue team uses a special capsule shaped device, each of the miners are removed. All of them are very happy to be free and finally meet their loved ones. As a result, it ends all the frustrations from their families and friends who hope and pray all along. Furthermore, one parent is very happy to meet his son saying “[my] boy is finally safe. My boy is finally safe.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/world/americas/13chile.html?pagewanted=1

In article in NYT “Austrian girl describes 8 years of captivity and her escape” is stated that a man, Wolfgang Priklopil, 44, a communication technician, kidnapped and was keeping in captivity for 8 years Natascha Kampuch, 18. She spent “[e]ight years of her childhood incarcerated in a basement cell outside Vienna.”  “In a handwritten statement read to journalists by a psychologist made available to her by the Austrian government, Ms. Kampusch, 18, gave a scant, matter-of-fact account of her everyday life in captivity, spoke of a psychological standoff with her captor and asked the public to wait until she was ready to talk more directly about her ordeal. Her words, and the tale of how she got away from the man who seized her when she was 10, hinted at an intelligent, articulate young woman who managed somehow to educate herself and maintain a sense of optimism despite her isolation.”

She ran away when the captor asked her to vacuum his car and went away to talk on his phone. As she described his attitude to her she stated that it was both loving and punishing. She refused to comment anything about his abusive behavior as she wanted to remain it private.

She turned out to be very intelligent and educated young woman who didn’t looked scared or badgered. “According to her account, they had breakfast together on most days — ‘he rarely worked’ — then she would do housework for him and cook. The rest of the time, she said, they talked and she listened to the radio and watched television. Investigators found stacks of schoolbooks and other reading material in her narrow, windowless cell, which the police are still searching for evidence.”

Same in Homer’s Odyssey the protagonist spent 7 years in captivity on Calypso’s Island. “[C]alypso, the bewitching nymph, the lustrous goddess, held him back, deep in her arching caverns, craving him for a husband (A, 259)”. The difference is that she released Odysseus by being under the pressure as it was Athena’s will. “[B]ut my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long (A, 260). ”

  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/world/europe/29austria.html?scp=27&sq=in%20captivity&st=cse

Every day people are forced to make choices. But what if none of the choices is good? Sometimes the dilemma is between the suffering of the many and the suffering of the few. And many people opt for the lesser pain.

This problem of painful choices is addressed in both The Odyssey and in the recent article from the New York Times “Vaccine Case Before Justice Turns on the Language of a Law” written by Adam Liptak. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is torn between loosing six men to a monstrous Scylla but keeping his ship and loosing his entire crew “when the whirlpool [Charybdis] swallows down” (Damrosch, p. 402). It is obvious that for Odysseus this is a very tough choice to make. At first, he rejects and protests against the two options. He asks the goddess if he can “possibly cut and run from [Charybdis] and still fight Scylla when Scylla strikes [his] men” (Damrosch, p. 402). The goddess insists that Scylla is “an immortal devastation” and it is impossible to fight her. So, finally, Odysseus decides to sacrifice six of his men and row for his and his crew’s lives.

Similarly, the Supreme Court struggles to choose between its “Scylla and Charybdis”: “[establishing] a system to compensate people injured by vaccines [and] barring some […] lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers” (Liptak, 2010). On one hand, there are a few lives of injured people at stake. On the other hand, “[exposing] the industry to crushing liability […] could drive companies from the market and imperil the nation’s vaccine supply” (Liptak, 2010). Therefore, much more lives would be in danger. And the Supreme Court has not made its choice yet.

So, the future does not come by itself; people create it with the choices they make, and these choices lead to certain consequences. Thus, as William Jennings Bryan wrote, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/business/13bizcourt.html?scp=4&sq=vaccine&st=cse

In The Odyssey, Odysseus desires to return to his Ithaca. Throughout his journey home, he is delay by Poseidon who wishes to punish him for blinding his son, Polyhemus. With the help of Athena, a goddess, Odysseus was able to return home. In the New York Times, there is an article about a Sergeant in the U.S military who is going through a similar journey. Sergeant Osvaldo Hernandez “decided that he wanted nothing more than to join the Police Department.” (A 27) however, Osvaldo Hernandez was arrested in 2002 for gun possession. Hernandez stated that he had the gun for self-defense. Odysseus blinded Polyphemus to protect himself and crew members.

Due to his arrest, the Police Department would not allow Osvaldo Hernandez to become a Police Officer. Hernandez’s Athena comes in the form of Governor Paterson who pardoned Hernandez of his gun possession charge. Both Odysseus and Hernandez paid a huge price for a single mistake that they made.

Haberman, Clyde. A Mistake the police won’t forgive. Oct 11, 2010

October 11, 2010 on Page A 27

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/nyregion/12nyc.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=a%20mistake%20the%20police%20won’t%20forgive&st=cse