In Homer’s “The Beggar King of Ithaca”, Odysseus shows immovable character and will. He has the ability to change many things the way he personally wants but he chooses a path of great morality. When it comes down to a physical fight, Odysseus has all might to win but his wisdom and graces serve as a conscious and willing determination to be morally correct and he acts as a more honorable and righteous person.
Odysseus is known to be a great soldier, ruler and a fair individual. The fact that he has strength and ability does not mean that he must use them every time a situation presents itself. He has the wisdom to separate the moments when he must truly use his power of body and mind, from those times when he must keep calm.
Odysseus is a true representation of a just and modest ruler who does not abuse his authority. His morality is an example of the highest development of any human being. The standards that he has set for himself, would not allow him to senselessly break into the fight.
When Irus threatens and offends Odysseus, he purposefully wants to provoke a fight. For someone to withstand such verbal assaults and degrading in public, one must have very strong will and control of emotions. This is exactly how Odysseus acts, as he does not answer to the provocations, at first.
He restrains himself and asks Irus nicely, what wrongs he has caused him. Not a lot of people would behave the same way in such a situation and this is very much representative of the inner, almost God-like strength that Odysseus has.
He knows that as a more understanding and stronger person, he must take every step in avoiding the fight. Irus does not back down and the provocation continues. Odysseus has no duty or responsibility to restrain himself, he could have jumped into the fight right away but he does not do this. Primarily, he respects himself and knows the specific behavior he must follow and others do not determine his actions.
Odysseus is being tested again when the public has joined into the scene and are approving of the fight. So he asks, how can he, an old man, defeat a much younger fighter? Once more he shows that he wants to make sure every step is taken to avoid the fight. This displays real control of character but also, the understanding nature of Odysseus. His heart does not resort to violence, he is a kind person and this is also a part of his strength.
When the fight commences, he wants to restrict his power to the last moment, as he plans to be as gentle as possible but his reflexes take over. In the fight, any person’s heart starts to race and they get excited by the rush, the same happens to Odysseus. He is unable to restrain himself any further and his punch turns out to be very precise and forceful.
When Irus takes a fall, Odysseus still shows himself to be a “bigger” man. He takes Irus to the gate and sits him up, leaning against a wall, giving him his possessions. This act shows that he had no anger or hate towards Irus, even after all the insults and threats.
Odysseus displays all the characteristics of a kind, understanding and moral individual. Hate is foreign to his heart, as well as fear and because kindness, understanding and truth are always his guidelines, he is able to take on any challenges that come his way.
Works Cited
Homer. The Odyssey “The Beggar King of Ithaca”, Tran. Robert Fagles. New York, United States: Penguin Classics, 1996.