Examples Of Dimock In The Odyssey

The physical journey, filled with malicious obstacles, Odysseus endures on his journey home to Ithaca is symbolic of a much greater development, both mentally and emotionally, which reinforces his identity. In the Odyssey, Homer has a knack to describe each character with profound detail. Odysseus especially has innumerable characteristics that describe his personality. However, his endeavor and struggle miraculously helps him to discover a new identity. Odysseus’s true identity, Dimock, too, undoubtedly believes that Odysseus’s journey back is a road to establish his identity. In The Epic of Suffering and Fulfillment, Dimock provides evidence to reiterate his statement which states, “To establish his identity Odysseus must live up to his name”

Odysseus uses these elements in order to establish his identity which had deteriorated in the past twenty years. Intentionally or unintentionally, Odysseus uses pain when interrogating his close ones upon his return home. As Dimock explains, “For Odysseus to establish his identity at home, manipulation is necessary, manipulation even of those who favor him” (Dimock). There are several instances when Odysseus had to ignore his impulse of rejoicing with his close ones but instead questioning them first to prove their loyalty. Not only does he inflict pain upon his relatives, but on himself as well. One instance, the most painful one, is when Odysseus confronts his father “he halted under a tall pear-tree and the tears came into his eyes. Upon reflection he thought it is better to start by testing him with words that would rouse him” (24.236-241). Although his heart tells him to run and hug his father with all his heart, he forces himself to be patient in order to find a secure identity of himself in his father’s heart. Furthermore, Odysseus efficaciously gets his revenge on the suitors by mercilessly killing more than a hundred of them with minimal help. Fear becomes a major element in restoring his identity as well by forcing the suitors to fear his identity; especially after he kills their leader, Antinuos. To exemplify Odysseus’s glory after he slaughters the suitors, Homer compares Odysseus who

Although Odysseus has a reputable kleos from the very beginning, being lost in a void of troubles caused his reputation to lose its everlasting fame. Like Dimock expresses in his article, Odysseus has to live up to his name to reestablish his reputation. When Odysseus blinds Polyphemus to escape with his crewmates, he improves his kleos by surviving a villainous event. However, only he and the crewmates present acknowledge his heroic act. Therefore, he cries out his name to let the world know what he accomplishes on his journey. Many critics and readers may think that Odysseus crying his name out loud is a foolish act done out of pride; however, as Dimock states, it is “a case of deliberate self-exposure for the purpose of being somebody rather than nobody” (Dimock). Odysseus does this as an act to spread his kleos in the realm of the Cyclopes. Dimock also makes an analogy of Odysseus blinding and outwitting Polyphemus as an act of both, “challenge nature to do her worst, and to demonstrate her ultimate impotence to crush human identity” (Dimock). This reference makes sense as Odysseus’s act causes Poseidon to be enraged. Thus, the sea god hinders Odysseus’s voyage at each step; nevertheless, Odysseus manages to pull through all the thorns in his part to reach his family back at home. Therefore,