The Hubris Of Gods And Goddesses In Homer's Odyssey

In The Odyssey, Homer discusses the theme of temptation through the hubris of gods and goddesses, portraying the importance of determination and resilience. It is shown in many places throughout Odysseus’s journey, on the islands of Ogygia, Aeolia, and Anthemoessa. Temptation is shown multiple times throughout the novel. On Calypso’s island, Ogygia, Odysseus is imprisoned and tempted to stay because he has luxury and paradise there. On the island, he has the choice to forget about the responsibility of his family, and his kingdom in Ithica, and to become immortal or leave the island. Calypso says, "The gods cast me up on Ogygia, Calypso’s island, home of the dangerous nymph with glossy braids, and the goddess took me in in all her kindness, welcomed

But if you only knew, deep down, what pains are fated to fill your cup before you reach that shore, you’d stay right here. Preside in our house with me and be immortal.” (5.228-231) When Calypso speaks of what pains are fated to fill Odysseus’s cup, she means that his journey home would be hard and there is pain and death fated for him at the end of it. This means that he is tempted to choose the easy way out by staying in paradise but instead, chooses to go through hardships and eventually die. Because he does this, the reader can see Odysseus as strong and determined. Another temptation that Odysseus and his crew face is when they arrive at Aeolus’s home and are presented with a bag of storm winds. This bag of wind was given to Odysseus and his crew to ensure they made it back home safely. Odysseus says, “He gave me a sack, the skin of a full-grown ox, binding inside the winds that howl from every quarter, for Zues that made that king the master of all the winds, with the power to calm them down or rouse them as he pleased.” (10.22-25) Based on Odysseus’s explanation of the work and materials used to put together the bag of wind, he makes it seem like this was a great act of kindness for