Odysseus
Odysseus is able to show Alkinoos how loyal he is by expressing his faithfulness to his wife and town. His goal is to convince Alkinoos that he will be loyal to the people of Skeria if he is granted a ship to send him to Ithica. When Odysseus is telling the Phiakins about his journey, he says,
“...I have long been detained by Kalypso, loveliest of all goddesses, who held me in her smooth caves, to be her heart’s delight, as Kirke do Aiaia, the enchantress, desired me, and detained me in her hall.
But in my heart I never gave consent.
Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass his own home and his parents? In far lands he shall not, though he find a house of gold.”
(Odysseus,10.50-53)
This shows Alkinoos that he is worthy of their service. Odyssius shows that he is loyal to both his wife, and his town, and will be loyal to the people of Skeria if they help
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He wants Alkinoos to think about the severe punishment that the gods could give to the island of Skeria if they choose not to be loyal to him. Odysseus tells the story of his voyage to Ismaros. He says,
“...I told them: ‘Back, and
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If Alkinoos decides to deny Odysseus help, the gods will punish the citizens of Skeria. These experiences may prove to Alkinoos that suffering the wrath of Poseidon is not such a tragic punishment in comparison to suffering the wrath of Zeus. Odysseus intentionally includes the theme of loyalty throughout the story so that the Phiakians are reminded that those who are loyal are rewarded, and those that are disloyal are punished. He is relying on Alkinoos for his voyage home, and needs them to stay loyal to him in order to stay in the god's good graces. If he is able to influence Alkinoos before he takes his position, he has a greater likelihood of seeing Ithica