Comparing Social Norms in My Last Duchess by Robert Browning and Ulysses by Alfred Tennyson

In The Odyssey of Homer, Odysseus’ journey to complete his homecoming is driven by the memory of his home, Ithaka. During his travels, when he lived with Kalypso for many years, Odysseus “wept for a way home” and would be “breaking his heart in tears and lamentation and sorrow” (Homer, V.153; Homer, V.157). One would imagine that living with a goddess who could make you immortal and give you all the riches in the world would convince someone to stay. However, Odysseus’ memory of his wife and home drives him to complete his homecoming, which causes him to decide to leave Kalypso’s island. Continuously, Odysseus finds himself in places that he could preferably stay, and live a noble life. For example, he is encouraged to live on the island of the Phaiakians, as Alkinoös

In the poem of The Odyssey Odysseus is seen as a good person in general but really he is not because he cheats on his wife with a lot of different people. When he ends up on the island of Calypso he really wants to get back home but Calypso does not want that in fact she wants something a little different. In the book this can be see when Calypso says, “ But if you only knew, down deep, what pains are fated

Throughout the story, Odysseus 's goal was to return home to Ithaca and spend the rest of his life with his son, Telemachos, and his wife Penelope. Even though is he greatly enjoying himself on all of his adventures, there is a part of him that still longs for his native soil. He loved being on the island with Calypso, but everyday he dreamt of his wife and son sitting at home, waiting for his return. He endured all of his

There comes a point in the story where Odysseus and his men are constantly bombarded with offerings for food, comfort and a long happy life. Upon leaving Aeolus’ island for the second time and quickly escaping the Laestrygonians, Odysseus and his crew stumble upon Circe’s island of Aeaea. After a few tribulations with Circe the men are all comforted, bathed and fed for a years time. The crew stays on Circe’s island for an entire year, and are tempted to spend the rest of their days with her (10. 327-8). Odysseus is also tempted considering he lives there, with her, in her bed for an entire year. Yet, even this great temptation is put aside and the men, unhappily, cast off from Circe’s island. Not long after, Odysseus would end up shipwrecked and alone on Calypso’s island. Odysseus is supposed to be being held against his will on Calypso’s island. Yet, when someone lives somewhere for over five years and does

Odysseus only cares about himself and his personal benefits, like a villain. “With great power comes great responsibility” this quote is used by many heros and odysseus obviously shows no responsibilities, so his power is simply bad, or evil . When “trapped” on Calypso’s island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. After 7 years on this island he finally decides to go home to has son which he has never seen and his dog who is nearly dead due to old age (not to mention he barely does anything with his dog and the first thing he says to his son is basically to ask him to risk his life for Odysseus's house). “ Don't waste your time on revenge. Those who hurt you will eventually get their own karma”. This quote shows that good people and heros should not seek revenge and should show mercy to their enemies however Odysseus obviously shows no interest in mercy… After killing many people and not letting a single person out which many heroes would have especially if the people did not directly mistreat him and believed he was dead which would be a logical thought he finally revealed himself to his wife. At first his wife did not recognize him which filled him with rage even though he should be happy that his loyal wife wants to make

After twenty long years away from his family, Odysseus still has motivation to return to Ithaca. Odysseus could have stayed with the princess of the Phaeacians, but instead he wants to go home to his family. Odysseus’ wife, Penelope and their son, Telemachus motivate Odysseus. Alkinoos offers Odysseus his daughter’s hand in marriage: “My daughter should be yours and you my son-in-law, if you remained. A home, lands, riches you should have from me if you could be content here” (Homer 120). Odysseus refuses the king’s offer: “O Father Zeus, let all this be fulfilled as spoken by Alkinoos! Earth of harvests remember him! Return me to my homeland” (120). Odysseus knows that his family has been waiting for him for years. The motivation to see his family and homeland help Odysseus win his battles and continue his journey home.

Everett and Odysseus are both determined to get home. Through out their story, both never gave up when facing challenges. In the film, Everett and his friend are robbed of all their money. Though they are left with nothing, they still push on. This signifies that even though they lost everything, including their opportunities, with perseverance they were able to overcome everything facing the group. Odysseus also showed the act of being perseverance, during the long journey, Odysseus did not give up when he faces challenges. "...what I want and all my days I pine for is to go back to my house and see my day of homecoming. And if some god batters me far out on the wine-blue water, I will endure it, keeping a stubborn spirit inside me, for already I have suffered much and done much hard work on the waves and in the fighting. So let this adventure follow." (Book 5 219-224). Odysseus has been away from his home, Ithaca, for 20 years and is

            Odysseus was a man of honor, a man who had fought in a war and won.  For such a courageous man to return home to find it full, idly standing by would not be considered virtuous.  In order to prove that his status of King remained a strong title, Odysseus had to purge his home of rogues, and fancy women who had dishonored his lady.  Such was acceptable at his time, and therefore considered common.  Odysseus’s sense of honor was vital in his role as an adventurer and a monarch of Ithaka. 

For example, Odysseus was a leader to most people. This means that many people were watching his decisions and he had many followers. It states “Men hold me formidable for guile in peace and war this fame has gone abroad to the skies rim” (Pg 6). Although the followers helped Odysseus while fighting, they also gave him a sense of overwhelming confidence which led to cockiness and turned him into a very disrespectful person. This shows that Odysseus used his followers to his advantage and their disadvantage because he is hurting others with his fame. Also, Odysseus over exaggerates his feelings. For, example, when was left on Calypso's island, he got very depressed and he only thought about how much he loved Penelope. This is good because it gave him bravery, but it made him feel very helpless when left alone. For example, the book says, “Went to find Odysseus and his stone seat to seaward - tear on tear brimming his eyes” (Pg 4). It seems that Odysseus's feelings for his wife led him to be very depressed on the island and although he had the advantage of being brave, he also cared about himself and his wife too much. In all, Odysseus’s followers and feelings were helpful, but also a

Odysseus’s strong desire to return to his family inspires foreign rulers to assist Odysseus in returning home. Odysseus states, “Nevertheless I long—I pine, all my days— / to travel home and see the dawn of my return” to Calypso (5.242-234). Odysseus stayed with the goddess Calypso as her “unwilling lover” until he leaves on a raft (5.172; 179-187). Calypso grants Odysseus leave from her island because he is in grieving over being separated from his family. Odysseus lands in Phaeacia after leaving Calypso’s island. While begging for passage home, Odysseus says, “How far away I’ve been / from all my loved ones—how long I have suffered” (7.180-181). King Alcinous

Odysseus left Calypso’s Island and began his journey back home. His odyssey might be described as one’s own life struggles. There are ups and downs to every situation, and through reading The Odyssey, readers can connect parallels between Odysseus’ experiences and lessons learned in their own life. Human weaknesses can still prevail through even the strongest men you may think of; examples of this are shown in this epic. Even though there is a large gap in space between Odysseus’ travels and the present, human nature and weakness still share the same obstacles.

The only thing Odysseus truly desired for twenty years was to return home to his family. Although Odysseus was looking forward to his homecoming, when he finally arrives home he disguises as a beggar, which is an odd thing to do considering that he was already home. He disguises himself, as a beggar because he was not sure whom he could really trusts considering he has been away for twenty years. He also wanted to test all the citizens and Penelope, his wife, of her loyalty. I believe that Odysseus unconsciously knew that the notion of home that he knew before has not changed. Once he proves that he could trust his family, he is just there for one night. It seems he could never truly stay home and Poseidon’s curse is true. Also, Odysseus seems to come to realize that his true home is actually being in an adventure with his crewmen. Odysseus undergoes so much suffering such as near death experiences just to arrive home.

Despite the pleasures he may have and the troubles he may avoid by staying with Calypso, Odysseus still desires nothing more than to return

“Maud: A Monodrama” is the lengthy poem that dominated the first collection published by Alfred, Lord Tennyson after he became poet laureate. In its rich and romantic symbolism, it is characteristic of the great poet 's work. Notable, also, is its critique of the hypocrisy and other social failings of Victorian Britain. “Maud” became one of the best-known poems of the period, and continued to be influential even after its style became dated.

he still can go out and do things, as no matter how much he has done,