Dishonesty In The Odyssey Essay

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According to a study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, 60% of people cannot hold a ten-minute conversation without lying at least once (Benjamin). Whether these lies are crucial to the discussion or not, they can ultimately impact the outcomes people hope for. The Odyssey, written by Homer and translated by Robert Fitzgerald is a timeless tale full of dishonor and lies, many of which positively impact a man’s fate. The epic entails an archetypal hero, who is on the journey of a lifetime, fighting to get back to his home. Through his characters, Homer illustrates that lies and dishonesty is pivotal to many of the desirable outcomes found throughout the story. As a result of Odysseus’ dishonesty, Odysseus is able to save many of his fellow crewmates’ lives throughout Homer’s …show more content…

For seven years, Odysseus is held captive by the goddess Calypso. The young goddess “desired me and detained me in her hall. But in my heart, I never gave consent” (Homer 372). This quote suggests that although Calypso may have believed she was loved by Odysseus, he never really cared for her. If Odysseus would have stayed faithful to his wife, Calypso would have killed him. Thus, he is able to protect himself by lying to her. Another point in the epic where Odysseus' dishonesty impacts his success is with the suitors. After arriving at his homeland, Odysseus disguises himself to protect himself from being harmed: “Odysseus enters his home as a beggar, and the suitors mock and abuse him” (Homer 402). When Odysseus appears to be a beggar, the suitors think nothing of him. They disrespect him, his family, and his home. Had they know Odysseus was back, they would have treated him much differently. Because of the way they acted towards him, it can be suggested that they would be willing to do anything to take control of his kingdom. He is then able to find out more about them and their motives without getting

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