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Examples Of Wisdom In The Odyssey

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Recognizing that wisdom is necessary for order, Zeus took as his first wife Metis, “wisest of all, of gods and men”(Theogony 888). Then, when Metis was about to give birth, Zeus, “deceived her mind / ...and thrust her down / into his belly” (Theogony 890-92). Through the consummation of Metis symbolizes Zeus acquires wisdom. The unity of Zeus’ strength and wisdom which Zeus acquires by his cunning brings order to the cosmos. Thus, from the unity of strength, wisdom, and cunning, comes order. Therefore without wisdom there is no order, and likewise order is not possible without strength and cunning. In the Odyssey, Odysseus possesses cunning and strength, but he has forgotten the other half; the unity of strength and wisdom in order. Just like Zeus used cunning to …show more content…

I would dower you with a house and properties (ODY 7.311-314).
Phaeacia was a kingdom where the gods would attend the Phaeacian banquets without disguise, a sign its perfection. Thus, when Odysseus is offered the hand of Nausikaa, he is actually being offered a perfect kingdom. However, by choosing to go home to Political chaos Odysseus reveals his desire to restore order in chaotic Ithaka.
Penelope is the ultimate test to whether the trials of the women strengthen Odysseus’ desire for wisdom. Odysseus has to prove to Penelope that he is actually Odysseus and can only be reunited through cunning. Penelope “spoke to her husband, trying him out”(ODY 23.181), discerning whether he truly deserves her wisdom. Like the unification of Zeus with Metis, only cunning can re-unify the strength of Odysseus with the wisdom of Penelope to give birth to order. In her wisdom, Penelope realizes how deceptive that the gods are, and explains to Odysseus why she needed to try him:
Do not now be angry with me nor blame me...
For always the deep spirit in my heart was fearful
That some one of mortal men would come and deceive me

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