Thus, Homer shows that Odysseus is a different kind of hero through the central character's longing for his home, as well as his home's longing for him. While Odysseus still has many features of the traditional Greek hero, such as might and reverence to the gods, his longing for home over adventure makes him a different sort of hero.
While Homer shows that Odysseus is a different kind of hero through the depth with which he longs for his home, the hero also longs for his family. Despite the fact that he has what could be considered a fantasy life while living with Calypso, he longs for his own wife, Penelope. This can be seen though both husband and wife's reaction the suitors and each other upon Odysseus's return. While Penelope is not animated in finding anyone to replace her "dear husband," as Euryclea calls him, Odysseus is so angered by the suitors' threat to his marriage that he kills them (Homer 379). He does this brutally, piling the corpses upon one another. While critics may argue that his response to the suitors is simply testimony to the fact that he is a traditional hero, wanting blood and sacrifice for those who have defiled his land, the couple's reaction to one another when united disproves this. When Penelope finally realizes that her husband has come home in disguise, Euryclea announces his arrival with the following arousal: "Wake up Penelope, my dear child...and see with your own eyes something that you have been wanting this long time past" (Homer 379). When Penelope finally realizes that Odysseus is who he says he is, she runs to him, kissing him and hugging him, expressing her joy (Homer 386). Odysseus responds in kind, as he "melted," weeping and holding Penelope (Homer 387). Thus, it is clear that Odysseus has been longing deeply for his wife throughout the years that he has...
Not only does he show this longing through killing the suitors that disrespected his memory, threatened his marriage, and angered his wife, but he also shows his love for Penelope through their touching reunion. Finally, Penelope's reaction to Odysseus suggests the bond that they share is real.
In addition to longing for Penelope, it is clear that Odysseus has also spent his time at sea and lost in captivity longing for his son Telemachus, while Telemachus has been just as anxious to meet him. When seeing Telemachus for the first time after ten years' absence, he has a reaction very similar to the one that he shares with Penelope. Odysseus runs to him, kisses him, and "wept for joy, while Homer comments, "a father could not be more delighted at the return of an only son" (264). Though reserved upon the meeting, Telemachus calls Odysseus "old friend," and later wholeheartedly encourages his mother to recognize his father (Homer 265). Thus, upon Odysseus' return, the happy family is united. Mother and father are once again together with their only son. All are happy and overjoyed. The longing that Odysseus has expressed has been fulfilled -- he is reunited with his family.
This longing -- for home and family -- then is the greatest that Odysseus has. Although he certainly shows heroic qualities through his ability to deal with Calypso, brave Neptune's plagues, and kill the suitors, his goal is not to die in battle nor to be buried on a large funeral Pyre, as are the goals of other heroes like Achilles and Agamemnon, but instead is to be home. Thus, while still a hero, Odysseus is a different sort -- heroic both in the traditional sense and as a husband and father.
Works Cited
Homer. The Odyssey. 1898. Planet E-Book. Planet E-Book. 25 March…
