Odysseus and Penelope

The Odyssey is the story of a man's journey to his homeland, as well as the story of a king's struggle to return to his kingdom. Though these statements are true, they are not prevalent in the heart and mind of the man/king in question, Odysseus. Many will argue that Odysseus's reason for returning to Ithaca is to regain his status as King, to once again rule a land and its people, but it is not. Odysseus battles temptation and braves the wrath of angry gods to once again be in the arms of his wife, his love, Penelope. The Odyssey is the love story of a man and a woman. It is obvious throughout The Odyssey that not only does Odysseus love Penelope dearly, but he cares far less for societal and political status than he does for her. Penelope, not power, is Odysseus's true reason for returning home to Ithaca. While held captive on Calypso's island, Odysseus lives the life of a god. He lives on an island of utter beauty, sleeping with a goddess every night. Daily, he dines on ambrosia and nectar, the food of the gods. Most mortal men would consider this life possible only in a dream world, but still Odysseus cries. When Zeus orders Calypso to allow Odysseus to leave her island, she tries to make him an offer he can't refuse: …you'd stay right here, preside in our house with me and be immortal. Much as you long to see your wife, the one you pine for all your days…and yet I just might claim to be nothing less than she, neither in face or figure…. (pg. 159,ln 230-234) Calypso wishes Odysseus would stay with her, and so she offers him immortality, the life of a true god. If power, ruling authority, and kingship were all that he wanted, Calypso's offer would have guaranteed this and more. (He would have accepted the offer right away and taken her back to bed). Calypso's offer would have made Odysseus stronger and more powerful than ever, and as an immortal he would have had far more power and status than any king anywhere. Why would he fight so hard to return to Ithaca simply to regain kingship over its land? If Odysseus could have settled down right away and live a comfortable, satisfied life, he would have. Strength and status would never have satisfied Odysseus. He was in search of something far more important and powerful. Odysseus is once again offered a new life when he finds himself shipwrecked on the island of Phaecia. He seeks the aid of the king as soon as he arrives. When Odysseus meets with King Alcinous, he makes it very clear that he wishes to get home to Ithaca. Even though Alcinous agrees to assemble a crew of men and a ship to carry Odysseus home, he also makes him an offer. "You could wed my daughter and be my son-in-law / and stay right here with us. I'd give you a house / and great wealth" (pg.189, ln 358-360). Odysseus would have the hand of Alcinous' beautiful daughter, Nausica. He would be wealthy, have power, and most appealing of all, he would no longer have to struggle to reach Ithaca. Odysseus would be able to stay in Phaecia and live a peaceful life as the King's son-in-law and heir to the throne. When Odysseus rejects the offer, however, and speaks of returning home, it becomes more clear to the reader why he feels he must return to Ithaca. As he parts with Alcinous Odysseus says "may I find an unswerving wife when I reach home" (pg 287, ln 48). He speaks not of his kingdom, but of his wife. He has been gone for twenty years, but the royal couples' love is so strong that Odysseus still has hope that she hasn't forgotten him. It is at this point that Odysseus states that Penelope is his reason to press on. She is his reason to keep reaching for the shores of Ithaca. When Odysseus reaches Ithaca, his journey is truly complete. Some will argue that because his kingdom is in such terrible condition, his first order of business would be to bring everything to order. This is one of his tasks, since he is the King of Ithaca. But in Odysseus' heart, all the hardships are over because he has found what he has been searching for the past eleven years. The love between him and his wife is as strong as ever. Though he must ease himself back into her life slowly, he does as soon as possible. With the exception of dealing with the suitors, he leaves all duties aside until he has reacquainted himself with his love: The more she spoke, the more a deep desire for tears welled up inside his breast - he wept as he held the wife he loved, the soul of loyalty, in his arms at last. joy, warm as the joy shipwrecked sailors feel when they catch sight of land…. (pg 463, ln 259-263) Odysseus has Telemachus take care of the maids, and puts off visiting his father. He barely even takes the time to question anyone about anything that has happened in Ithaca. His heart swells with "warm joy" simply at the sight of Penelope. While in bed the lovers speak of the life they will spend together, not of wealth, status, or what actions they must take next as king and queen. This proves that Odysseus truly does love Penelope, and that their love for each other was far more important than any other possible factor that could have driven Odysseus home. Penelope's love was worth more than a house and wealth in Phaecia. It was worth more than nectar and ambrosia or immortality. Her love was worth a twenty-year struggle against all odds. Penelope's love carried Odysseus across the seas and back into her arms.