Theme Of Suffering In The Odyssey

In today’s pop culture, the saying, “No pain, no gain,” is commonly used as a phrase of motivation that encourages people to work harder and suffer for a greater reward. Despite the fact that the ancient tale of The Odyssey was written thousands of years ago, this modern concept can be recognized in it as Homer discusses suffering and the effects it has on his characters. One way Homer’s epic speaks to this theme is the way he portrays Odysseus’ journey, which shows how suffering affects everyone and connects the superior to the inferior, allowing everyone to have the hope that no one suffers alone and that they can overcome it. Additionally, Odysseus’ choices and decisions highlight humanity’s belief that suffering is an ingrained part of

being human, which indicates that people need to be prepared to deal with suffering to make the most out of it. Furthermore, Homer’s characterization of Odysseus demonstrates how determination and hope allow a person to conquer the natural instinct of fear that comes with suffering, and overcome the suffering they face.

Therefore, The Odyssey by Homer discusses the theme of suffering, and how its constant presence in life, forces people to evolve into better, heroic versions of themselves through the challenge of overcoming it.

Throughout Odysseus’ journey, it is shown that everyone suffers, including the gods, which demonstrates how the mutual struggle of overcoming suffering, connects the powerful and powerless. Because Odysseus is the hero in this epic, it is a given that he must face a set of trials that will cause him anguish in order to complete the Hero’s Journey. However, the fact that on his journey, Odysseus encounters gods, goddesses, and even the dead suffering, shows how all characters, regardless of status, experience suffering. When Odysseus meets the great Achilles of Troy, and discovers he is unhappy and suffering in the Underworld, when he says, “Better, I say, to break sod as a farm hand/ for some poor country man, on iron rations,/ than lord it over all the exhausted dead”, Odysseus here is then able to realize

how much he has in common with Achilles (12. 579-581). Despite having praised him earlier, which shows how Odysseus feels Achilles is superior to him, Odysseus’ recognizes that Achilles is suffering just like he is because he knows the damage Achilles feels to his pride, of being a shadow of his once glorious and heroic self. Hence this portrayal of Achilles attitude demonstrates how Homer is trying to prove that the superior are on the same level as the inferior when it comes to encountering suffering, because all face the same agony and pain. Another example could be that while a powerful goddess like Calypso and a typical commoner might seem to come from two completely different worlds, the two worlds intertwine as both people suffer because Calypso struggles with Odysseus leaving her, while a typical commoner might wrestle with lack of money. This optimistic perspective then gives comfort and hope to people, who can see that the people they look up to are just like them, and that everyone has the chance to become a better person by facing their suffering. Thus, Homer’s inclusion of suffering for all characters lets him show how no one is alone in suffering, but rather that suffering links people together as a mutual community where society can benefit as a whole.

Additionally, Odysseus’ choices and decisions reflects humanity’s belief that suffering is an integral part of being human. While on one of his final days on Orygia, Odysseus has a conversation with Calypso that ties up loose ends and is a sort of final goodbye where the two end on pretty good terms. However, one point the two can not settle on is the fact that Calypso is miffed that Odysseus wants to leave her illustrious self for his mortal wife Penelope. She shows her frustration when she vents, “If you could see it all, before you go/ all the adversity you face at sea/ you would stay here, and guard this house, and be/ immortal though you wanted her forever,/ that bride for whom you pine each day”, by pointing out that Odysseus is choosing to suffer (5. 215-219). While Calypso has a point that Odysseus is leaving a life of luxury and comfort, she does not understand that Odysseus does not want to be a god with the immortality and power she is offering him because of the symbolism of home that represents his humanity. Odysseus’ has Penelope, Telemachus, and his beloved Ithaca waiting for him that outweighs anything Calypso is offering him, which is why he is willing to risk the chance of additional suffering. Moreover, this “illusion of not having to suffer” quality Homer gives to all his gods in the story, despite the reality that they are only denying the suffering they experience, further proves that Odysseus knows he is embracing his mortality because he does not have this quality. Many of the god/goddess believe that having to suffer is a mortal thing below them, such as with Calypsos’ case, where she thinks Odysseus’ will later want to come home when really she is getting the short end of the stick. However, Odysseus’ recognition that he does have to additionally suffer to get home, and willingness to accept that by turning his back on the opportunity of being a god, proves that he knows he is human and suffering is a big part of that. Thus this idea, combined with the symbolism of his home, signifies that Odysseus along with the resut of humanity that he represents, knows suffering is part of being human that everyone must learn to deal and work with.

Furthermore, the characterization of Odysseus displays how one’s determination and hope allows oneself to conquer the instinct of fear that is associated with suffering.

Throughout this epic, there are countless examples where characters are undergoing suffering, and measures are taken to avoid or deny it, out of fear of unknown or pain that suffering can bring. One example of this is when Odysseus’ men open the bag of Aiolos’ winds out of curiosity and jealousy that blows them back to Aiolia, after being so close to Ithaca. In this spur of the moment anguish, Odysseus says “Roused up, despairing in my gloom, I thought:/ ‘Should I go overside for a quick finish/ or clench my teeth and stay among the living?’” (5. 56-58). Here in this quote, Odysseus’ is utterly crushed about this recent development to the point where he contemplates suicide out of fear of of having to face more pain and disappointment. Thus this exhibits how its human nature to flee rather than fight when facing suffering, because Odysseus’ initial reaction here was to jump ship rather than to continue to bear his burden. However, the reader later learns that Odysseus overcomes this suffering through sheer determination of wanting to go home, the hope he has of an opportunity to see his beloved Penelope again, and the understanding that he has too much to lose, which suggests the power of willpower. Because Odysseus is able to overcome the odds and fight for what he believes in, shows how Homer presents a

lesson where the resolve to stand by one’s principles is able to fuel society to be a place where possibilities are endless, and suffering does not restrain oneself to dwell in failures. Consequently, it can be seen that Odysseus’ ability to overcome his own suffering, reflects everyone’s ability to not have to accept defeat or fear what suffering can bring, due to capacity for all to find a motivation and perseverance.

Therefore all in all, it can be seen that the presence of the theme of suffering in Homer’s The Odyssey, shows how suffering compels people to face the challenge of overcoming anguish and allow them to grow as a person from that experience. One point that demonstrates this is that in this epic, Homer presents every character in his story with some sort of suffering to demonstrate how suffering does not isolate people, but rather connect people together over a mutual understanding. Additionally, the morals and ethics he gives Odysseus, further supports this point by displaying how Odysseus and the rest of humankind see suffering as is part of being human that makes oneself who they are. Moreover, his representation of the character Odysseus in his story, reveals how the hope and determination that everyone possess, allows for suffering to be overcome and goals to be achieved. Hence Homer highlights truths present in society that divulge how the complexity of mankind allows for life to be defined more than what one suffers, but how that suffering is dealt with. As Helen Keller once said, “only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved”.