I was truly amazed at the amount of emotional strength Odysseus shows towards the end of the story. First of all, he is reunited with his loved ones, yet he cannot tell very many of them his true identity. While he rejoices in finally seeing home, he has to watch his family continue to grieve over him. The situation that astonished me most, however, was when Odysseus talked with Penelope while still disguised as the beggar. The book says on page 397, "As she listened on, her tears flowed and soaked her cheeks...Odysseus' heart went out to his grief-stricken wife but under his lids his eyes remained stock-still." What strength that must have taken. I can only imagine how much he wanted to reach out and comfort her. His strength is rewarded in the end, though.
P.S. I commented on Sydni's post.
I noticed this as well and I too was shocked by the amount of restraint that he was able to show. This just made me respect his character even more.
ReplyDeleteI agree and I think the reward Odysseus receives, that moment where he reveals himself to his loved ones and sees the happiness and love on their expression, is priceless.
ReplyDelete