Examples Of Values In The Odyssey

Many values found in the Odyssey can differentiate back and forth from good to bad. A character may reflect a majority of these values through their actions. This passage takes place near the start of the Odyssey in which they explain where Odysseus arrives last after his long journey following the Trojan war before arriving to Phaeacia and what had happened to him there. Throughout this passage, the three main values reflected in Calypso and Odysseus’ actions are restraint/temptation, loyalty, and humility. In the following paragraphs, there will be explanations that dig deeper into the values shown in this passage.

To start off, this passage shows the value of restraint and temptation. Odysseus shows his restraint towards the goddess Calypso when he denies “her beauty and her offer of immortality” (Odyssey 77) in attempt to have him forget his wife and marry her instead. This passage states that Odysseus “weep with longing for his wife and home” every day (Odysseus 77), which shows

us why Odysseus pays no attention to Calypso, and refuses her offer. The first sentence of the passage also states that Calypso could not tempt Odysseus (Odyssey 77). This demonstrates restraint and temptation because it shows that Odysseus is in control of himself, causing him to not be tempted by Calypso. In other words, this passage from the Odyssey reflects these values, when Calypso’s attempt to marry Odysseus fails to lure him to her. In Odysseus’ eyes, Calypso did not entice him one bit, unlike his wife in which he longs for every day (Odyssey 77).
Besides the value of restraint and temptation, this passage also reflects the value of loyalty.

It is well known that Odysseus is married to his wife Penelope back at home in which he is loyal to and loves. Odysseus demonstrates his loyalty towards his wife when “the beautiful goddess Calypso couldn’t tempt him into forgetting his wife and marrying her in exchange for the rare offer of immortality” (Odyssey 77). Furthermore, “Odysseus would weep and long for his wife and home every day for over seven years while being held captive on Calypso’s island” (Odyssey 77). This shows that after years with no contact between him and his wife, he does not betray her and remains loyal no matter how long they’ve been apart. Thus, this passage shows the amount of loyalty Odysseus has towards his wife Penelope and that even a great amount of time apart and the rarest of offers cannot tempt him to leave her. The amount of love Odysseus has for Penelope is so strong that nothing can tear them

apart.
Last, the value of humility is shown in the passage. To be denied by a mortal after offering them an amazing gift and giving them the option to marry a beautiful goddess would cause humiliation, which is what happens to Calypso. As stated in the passage, Calypso is turned down by Odysseus after her high hopes of being able to marry him. “Odysseus turns down the beautiful goddess’ offer of the rare gift of immortality even after he’s been with her on her island for over seven years” (Odyssey 77), bringing her a great amount of humility. Not only that, but the goddess was not good enough as Odysseus’ wife in his eyes, this brings her a greater amount of humility because as a goddess she is not viewed higher than a mortal, let alone not good enough compared to a mortal. Therefore, when Odysseus chooses his wife over Calypso and turns her down, the embarrassment Calypso felt, getting rejected after over seven years of effort demonstrates the value humility. Because of Odysseus, Calypso’s hopes of being able to tempt him into “forgetting his wife and marrying her” (Odyssey 77) instead, has now miscarried.
In conclusion, Odysseus and Calypso’s actions demonstrates the value of restraint and temptation, loyalty, and humility. Restraint/temptation and loyalty are good values to have in the modern world, especially when it is as corrupt as it is now. To restrain from temptation towards thoughts of greed will help throughout life, and will improve society’s ideals in the long run. Loyalty is also another good quality to attain because without it, people will lose trust in one another and within themselves. In a society where loyalty is key, the results would most likely be better than in a society that lacks loyalty because no betrayal would take place within it. Although, the past two values are good to obtain, humility is not a value that one should be proud of. However, this does not mean humility is a bad value. It is good to be humble, but thinking too lowly of oneself that creates a lack of confidence contrasts the ideal. To be humble and have enough confidence will bring balance to a narcissistic society, in which will ultimately improve it. Overall, the values in this passage of the Odyssey can apply to the world today in a much more positive effect than it was in the story.