Crackhead Idea - Tumblr Posts

This post, made me think in a different light some key events and locations, Aiaia and Ogygia, (temptation sites) are, as you said, not tamed places (they are really lush and full of plant life, but not a lot of animals, (except Aiaia, because of Circe); maybe..this is my own crack head idea; maybe the plants represent the true nature of women and the animals men; because there's so few in those places, plants can take root and grow so much; pigs, humans, dogs, etc... stamp little sprouts and make paths in could be natural greenery. It would be funny that Homer acknowledge that part, in the way that men are supposed to tame nature and also women. But in his work the island never stop being lush, Odysseus is the tamed one as he gives himself into Them, not the other way (I came up with this before going to bed, so it may be a stupid thing).

And yes he's changed from Ogygya, he's way more patient with them as both of you stated above.

Circe and Calypso have very different roles in the Odyssey

First the similarities: they're both steps to overcame on his nostos and they're both desirable women (Homer throws bits about Odysseus playing the role of lover/father all around the poem for us to see what could've been and long for this family's reunion).

Only one of them plays a role as an abuser.

Circe has a parallel in Protesilaus, as a deity who has to be tamed through a very specific set of steps, and if done right, will give you important knowledge to go back home. Only in her case, the "ritual" involves intercourse. Because woman 🤷‍♂️. There's no attraction from Odysseus' part but neither from Circe. She must think her life is at risk to look for a way to buy his mercy and then keep on with the rest of the steps. I honestly don't think it's supposed to be about sa but a task. This ritual only ends once both have earned each other's trust. Because of it Circe nurses all the crew back to health for a year along with giving them the info. There's also a subtext of male subduing female (women at the time are seen like untamed nature that men come and civilize, therefore the luscious landscapes both women inhabit), and specifically this type of female who is unwed, doesn't like men and subdues them for her benefit. What we'd call a man-eater. Hehe that pun wasn't intentional but I'll leave it.

Calypso has a parallel in every male god who has taken women for themselves (eyes turn to Zeus), her words not mine. But that's not her main role, I see it as a little something Homer added. She's is the only foe who cannot be defeated by Odysseus himself but with the gods literally plucking him from Ogigia. She's the "game over" screen. Homer directly addresses the theme of sa, like "hey I know we don't really care about women's consent but WHAT IF I PUT LITTLE BABY IN THAT PLACE DO YOU FEEL EMPATHY NOW". I think he does it as a personal artistic liberty and it's honestly heartwarming. But Calypso's role in the myth per se is just temptation. Consider it: a woman, a paradise, eternal life, etc. Things any man would supposedly want (look at it like the very common story about the man who becomes successful and rich so he gets himself a beautiful new wife and leaves his family behind). But Odysseus not only chooses his family but Homer has him crying every day. There's also the bits about him laying with Calypso literally against his will, but that changes between translations: some say he doesn't want "it" specifically, some are more vague. It's clear he's very unhappy with his situation, anyway.

I'll not address the "cheating" because now I'm sure there was no way for a husband to cheat. Ok I'll address it. Odysseus not wanting to bed other women other than Penelope is not supposed to be the standard, is just him being extra. Like a millennial treating their pet like a child. The bare minimum for him to be considered a perfect husband would be just taking good care of Penelope. Yeah, for Homer he's a super-douper, excellent, shiny, glittery husband.

What's my point? Who knows. I just wanted to add to the conversation. I don't think Odysseus is supposed to be a sa survivor in the myth that existed beyond Homer. But I do think it's a really good conversation to have, because yes, for modern standards there's a lot of filth to discuss in there.

So ye.