When it comes to comparing Odysseus and Medea, there are a few things that stand out right away. For one, Odysseus is known for his cunning and cleverness, while Medea is known for her ruthless tendencies. Additionally, Odysseus was able to successfully return home after a long journey fraught with peril, while Medea killed her own children in order to punish her husband.
Despite their differences, there are some similarities between Odysseus and Medea as well. For instance, both characters are incredibly powerful in their own way. Odysseus is a master of strategy and combat, while Medea possesses formidable magical powers. Additionally, both characters are driven by their passions, which often result in them making very rash decisions.
In the end, it’s hard to say who is better or worse than the other. Odysseus is undoubtedly a more complex character, but Medea is certainly no slouch. Ultimately, it comes down to what each individual reader prefers. Some may prefer Odysseus’ careful planning and intelligence, while others may prefer Medea’s unbridled fury. No matter what, both characters are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads their stories.
Before departing Circe, Odysseus is advised to descend into Hades to pay homage to the shade of Teiresias, the blind prophet who predicted his return (The Wanderings). He then encounters the spirits of the queen and lovers of fallen heroes before making contact with the great heroes themselves. Odysseus is chatting with Achilles, one of history’s most renowned warriors. While alive, he was fully aware of his decision between a long life spent in obscurity or a brief but brilliant existence. He opted for the latter.
Odysseus, in this conversation, is trying to convince Achilles to choose life over death.
Odysseus: “Endure the short while and join me in sweet sleep; for after death there is no enjoyment of good things, but only pain and grief.”
– Odysseus contrasts life with death by describing the latter as a place without good things. In other words, once someone dies, they can’t enjoy anything anymore. This is in contrast to life, where people can experience all sorts of good things.
– Odysseus also tries to convince Achilles that life is worth living because it’s filled with experiences, both good and bad. He says that after death, people only experience pain and grief.
– This conversation is important because it shows Odysseus’ character as someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to save his friends and loved ones. He’s not afraid of death, but he is aware of the consequences that come with it.
Medea, on the other hand, chooses death over life. After she kills her children, she escapes from Jason and commits suicide. In Euripides’ Medea, Medea says: “O miserable children! What have I done to you? Unhappy ones, you are born to a wicked mother.”
– Medea is regretful for what she has done to her children. She feels like she has failed them and that they are better off dead.
– Unlike Odysseus, Medea doesn’t see any value in life. She thinks that death is better than living a life full of pain and regret.
– Medea’s decision to kill her children is significant because it shows how far she’s willing to go to get revenge on Jason. She’s not afraid of death, which is ironic considering she ends up killing herself.
I suppose after his death, Achilles realized that fame had little meaning for him after he was gone. He understood that death gave purpose and filled people with a passion for life in retrospect. Every activity, no matter how insignificant, is infused with the wonder of life and concludes when someone interacts with others. This is what Achilles meant when he asks Odysseus about his son and former realm–never mind the dead; what are the living doing now? Achilles wishes to be alive once more.
Odysseus’s reply is interesting: he says that his son is at peace, and that he would rather be with him in the Underworld than reigning over a kingdom on earth. Odysseus has seen more of the world and knows that there is nothing permanent in life, whereas Achilles only knows about glory and what it’s like to be alive.
Interestingly enough, Medea says something similar to Jason when she’s escaping with her children. She tells him that she would rather die than live without them, and that they are all she needs in life. Both Medea and Odysseus recognize that there is nothing more important than family. Odysseus values his son’s opinion and chooses to stay with him in the Underworld, whereas Medea is willing to die for her children. I think this shows that Odysseus is more attached to life, whereas Medea is more willing to let go.
Odysseus and Medea are both very different characters, but they share some similarities. Both are very intelligent and able to think on their feet. They are also both very determined; Odysseus never gives up no matter how difficult the task, and Medea is willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. Finally, they are both very sympathetic characters. Even though Odysseus can be ruthless at times, you can’t help but feel sorry for him when he goes through all his trials, and Medea is simply a victim of her circumstances.
At the end of the poem, Odysseus’ journey to Ithaka is about recognizing one’s life, taking on challenges, perils, pitfalls, and pleasures with courage, tenacity, and a clear understanding of what it takes to maintain composure in one’s life.
As the Odyssey emphasizes throughout, maintaining equilibrium in one’s life also demonstrates the macrocosm – reciprocity, sacrifice, justice, love, etc. It may be necessary to learn how to keep your head when everything else around you seems unpredictable (lotus eaters , Cyclopes). And have fun with it since home is where the journey begins.
Medea, on the other hand, is a victim–of her husband’s philandering and emotional neglect, of the gods’ cruelty, and ultimately of her own anger and desire for revenge. She kills her children because she feels they are Jason’s children and not hers. Odysseus would never have committed such an act. Odysseus may be a trickster but he is also a father and understands the ties of family. In Euripides Medea, Medea speaks about how much better it would have been if she had never been born. This sentiment underscores the tragedy of Medea; all her suffering has been for nothing.
In conclusion, Odysseus and Medea are both characters who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Odysseus is more willing to fight for life while Medea is more willing to fight for death. Neither character is completely good or bad, but they both have their strengths and weaknesses.
