In books 17 and 18 of The Odyssey, Odysseus is discussed as a beggar. Many characters, namely the suitors, describe beggars as greedy. In those times, beggars could walk into nearly any home and ask for food from everyone occupying the house. They were seen as too lazy to work and so greedy they leeched off others. So what are the implications the author is making by discussing Odysseus as a beggar?
This can be perceived in many different ways. Odysseus has made many mistakes throughout the book while trying to return home. Although, some of his mistakes are more forgivable than others due to the extreme circumstances.
For example, Odysseus saved the lives of his men by blinding the cyclops Polyphemus, but he then goes on to taunt Polyphemus, going as far as to reveal his true name, risking the lives of him and all his men. That was unnecessary to say the least.
On the other hand, the other protagonist of the story is Odysseus’ son Telemachus. Telemachus is told to turn back while on his journey to find his father, but he did achieve his end goal by listening to that advice. Throughout his shorter journey he takes a wiser, more cautious path.
Perhaps it is because Telemachus was the more weary of the two that his path had so few challenges compared to his father. This is so significant because, although Odysseus went through hard times and was an overall good person trying to get home to his family, he is human, and made many mistakes.
These can be two different each somewhat positive, representations of the path of life. Everyone is human, we all must learn our goals, fail to achieve them, learn the rules of life, learn what rules are more important to follow, and when it is wise to break them. We make many mistakes and learn from them before we become our own people, before we ultimately fail or achieve our individual life goals. We take this journey many times, making mistakes, learning the rules, breaking them badly and eloquently through the journey of romance, making a family, getting your dream job, getting through school, and so much more.
Perhaps you can stumble and fall like Odysseus and still make it to your end goal. Sometimes you must learn how to be as wise and elegant about things as Telemachus before accomplishing such a feat. Or perhaps the alternative will happen, as represented by Odysseus discussed as an old, greedy beggar. He always had the potential to turn out that way, and many times almost did. We are all human, and we learn by failing, being curious, and making mistakes.
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