Homophrosyne In The Odyssey

The most important lesson that single persons stand to learn from The Odyssey is to be, what Homer called, Homophrosyne. Homophrosyne means a thinking and knowledge that is shared between two or more people. This essay will show examples from The Odyssey that exemplify why this shared knowledge between two people is the most important lesson single persons can use in a relationship.

The Odyssey first demonstrates homophrosyne through Odysseus when he is describing what he considers the ideal marriage when he wishes homophrosyne, like-mindedness, on Nausicaa and any future husband. In Book 6 we learn what Odysseus wants in a wife. The most important thing he wants in a spouse is homophrosyne. Because of this he misses Penelope and his mental

connection with her. During this scene, Nausicaa even comments that she wishes her "husband could be as fine as he" (6.124). This shows that she really likes Odysseus not just because of his physical features, but of his respect and metal cunning. This applies to modern day and shows what most single persons want in a relationship.
I believe that Homer depicts Odysseus and Penelope as having a distinctive understanding of one another, homophrosyne, which allows them to speak cryptically to each other.

Penelope uses this to determine if the beggar is really her husband “…Odysseus come home to me, we two shall certainly know one another without questioning: we’ve secret signs, unknown to all but us. (23.460).” Odysseus smiles, and encouraged Penelope to test him, replying that she might not be familiar with him in his dirty rags. In the following lines after she finds that she and Odysseus are mentally perfect for each other. After Odysseus replies to her question she undoubtedly knows that it is her husband “These were his words; her knees and heart went weak; the secret signs that he revealed were certain proof. She ran to greet Odysseus, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed his head… (23.463-464).” Because of the homoprosyne Penelope has with Odysseus she is still in love with him even after 20 years of being apart. This explicitly shows that mental likeness is the most important thing in a relationship. If singles can find this in a partner, then they can enjoy life with them better even more than being physically attracted to each other.

The most important lesson that single persons stand to learn from The Odyssey is to be, what Homer called, Homophrosyne or like-mindedness between two

people.