by Heather Howe

Created on: January 09, 2009

The book of Homer's "Odyssey" is a proof text of temptation. The human model of psychology in the Homeric times was that somewhere in the dark ages individual man desired that which was beyond his fear. Those gifted ones who deserve to be Kings are leaders or rogue figures were attributed to have public merits, or god gifted powers. To get what is wanted of life, or overwhelm desperate odds to get the object of one's desire was normal yet heroic. To strive to reach the object of one's desires was framed in retrospect literarily as godlike. Punished by the Homeric gods for indulging in their temptation, the figures inside Homer's Odyssey walk a constant path of temptation.

Penelope is tempted after a long separation from her husband by the prospect of a younger suitor, lonely and unsure of her husband's fate. Telemachus is tempted to forswear his father's allegiance and take up his throne as a prince looking at a kingship. Odysseus is tempted by Circe/Calypso to enjoy the life of the demigod, and enjoyed a supernatural lifetime. To live as a god or in a godlike manner was a temptation impossible to many. Odysseus is offered many chances. The sailors strive for ambrosia and nectar that is traditionally ascribed only to the Olympian gods.

Odysseus is is in fact a character who strives to enjoy all the temptations of a god, but does not suffer the defeat of hubris. The underworld is full of those who have succumbed to temptation, as Odysseus learns. Odysseus strives to be tied to the mast so that he can hear the song of the sirens. Odysseus outwits the one eyed son of the god to free his men. Odysseus is tempted form his marriage vows not only by Circe/Calypso for a supernatural life but by the promise of marriage with Nausicaa, a woman of the people beloved of Nestor.

In an age when men were too limited by their bare hands and the society in which they live, the temptation to strive for goods and rewards beyond on one's place held a moral and societal opprobrium. The suitors for Penelope enjoy the reach gifts of the court of the exiled King Odysseus, little counting the future cost. The suitors for Penelope know it is wrong persuade her to give up her marriage vows. With the temptation of the Kingdom by marriage, gold and prizes in addition to a union with a beautiful woman makes them all run counter to civil decency.

The suitors who can attend the archery and wrestling contests are tempted by the rich prizes. They do not perceive that the temptation serves to differentiate

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