Check The Will Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

When Odysseus is trapped in Calypso’s cave, Hermes arrives, delivering the orders of Zeus. Zeus tells Hermes, “You are my messenger. Go tell the goddess our fixed intention: that Odysseus must go back home” (181). Upon Zeus’ request, he traveled to Circe’s island. Hermes informs Calypso of Zeus' word by exclaiming that “Zeus orders you to send him on his way” (183)! Calypso started to complain about the rules of sleeping with mortals between gods and goddesses. Even then, Hermes assures her, “no one can sway or check the will of Zeus” (183). She finally backs down and becomes inclined to let Odysseus free. She says to Odysseus, “I am quite ready to send you off” (185). At first, Odysseus was skeptical and quite suspicious of her words. Shortly after, she says to him, “I will give you clothes, and send a wind to blow you safely home” (185).

When talking about how to make it off of Circe’s island, she gives him two options: either lose six men to Scylla, or lose all of them trying to save those six. Odysseus asks her, “Goddess, please tell me the truth: is there no other way” (304)? Odysseus is willing to sail through a dangerous sea and meet his fate if he does so. He would sail past Scylla and through treacherous waters to make sure all of his men were safe. Calypso answered, “No, you fool!... Now you have to surrender to the gods” (305). Before, Odysseus was not one to back down to gods and non-mortals. Then, Odysseus makes a courageous decision and realizes what he has to do for the good of his