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The Odyssey

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The Odyssey

Some people believe in faith. When the strings of faith are tested, one can either stay strong or give in. Those who give in because it was the easier choice, are punished later on in life. Those who chose the more difficult path are rewarded in the end of his long and treturous journey. This same idea can be found in Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer's The Odyssey. This piece can be interpteted in two different ways. One from the time period of when it was written, and one in our current time period. Although Odysseus was offered to live with the beautiful and immortal goddess Calypso, he chooses to take the more challenging path. The more challenging path reveals itself as the rewarding path home to his wife Penelope, thus representing the idea that love can withstand many obstacles and hardships.
After embarking on an unexpected 10 year journey, Odysseus meets a beautiful goddess named Calypso. Odysseus ends up staying on her island for 7 years because on her island, time moves slower. Odysseus realizes how long he has actually been on her island and informs her that he must leave, and return to his wife Penelope. Calypso offers for him to stay with her on her paradise island, and become immortal. Odysseus declines her invitation, but in a civilized matter. “My lady goddess, here is no cause for anger./ My quiet Penelope- how well I know-/ would seem a shade before your majesty,/ death and old age being unknown to you,/ while she must die./ Yet, it is true, each day,/ I long for home, for the sight of home” ( Book 5, lines 81-86). By using such flattering language, Odysseus was able to let Calypso know about his departure in a calm and sensitive manner. Calypso falls for his swooning and clever language and lets Odysseus leave. His desperate actions to return to his wife represent the idea that love can withstand many obstacles.
On his

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