'Odysseus' Decision' by Louise Glück


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Meadowlands1996The great man turns his back on the island.
Now he will not die in paradise
nor hear again
the lutes of paradise among the olive trees,
by the clear pools under the cypresses. Timebegins now, in which he hears again
that pulse which is the narrative
sea, ar dawn when its pull is stongest.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Odysseus' Decision by Louise Glück: A Journey Through Time and Memory

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be Odysseus, the legendary hero of ancient Greek mythology? To sail across the seas, battle monsters and gods, and ultimately return to your beloved home after a long and arduous journey? Louise Glück's poem, "Odysseus' Decision," takes us on a journey through time and memory, exploring the themes of duty, sacrifice, and the complexities of human emotion.

Glück's poem begins with a sense of urgency, as Odysseus is faced with a difficult decision. He is torn between his duty to his fellow soldiers and his desire to return home to his wife and son. As Glück writes:

He knew the cost of this decision:

that he'd never see his wife again,

or hold his son,

who would grow up fatherless.

The weight of Odysseus' decision is palpable, as he weighs the benefits and drawbacks of each choice. He knows that if he stays with his comrades, he may never see his family again. But if he leaves, he risks being labeled a coward and abandoning his duty. Glück captures the complexity of this decision, as Odysseus grapples with his own desires and the expectations of his society.

As the poem progresses, we see Odysseus' internal struggle play out in his memories of home. He remembers his wife's face, and the smell of the sea that surrounds his island. He longs to return to this place of familiarity and comfort, but feels weighed down by his responsibilities as a warrior. Glück writes:

He saw the bright

salt wind ruffling the sea's blue garments;

he saw his wife's face, and knew he wanted

to go home.

These vivid images create a sense of longing and nostalgia, as Odysseus yearns for a simpler time before the war. Glück's use of sensory detail brings these memories to life, making them feel both immediate and distant. We can sense the salty air and feel the softness of Odysseus' wife's skin, even as we know that he may never experience these things again.

One of the most striking aspects of Glück's poem is its exploration of the role of sacrifice in Odysseus' decision. As a hero, Odysseus is expected to put the needs of his comrades and his country above his own desires. Yet, as he weighs his options, he realizes that his sacrifice may not be worth the cost. Glück writes:

But then he saw

what he was sacrificing:

his own life, his own future.

This realization is a turning point in the poem, as Odysseus begins to question the value of his sacrifice. He wonders if his duty to his country is worth sacrificing his own happiness and well-being. Glück's use of repetition in this line emphasizes the weight of Odysseus' sacrifice, as he considers the true cost of his decision.

Glück's poem also explores the complexities of human emotion, as Odysseus struggles to reconcile his conflicting desires. He feels both a sense of duty to his comrades and a deep longing for the familiar comforts of home. Glück writes:

He was torn between

two desires: to return to his wife,

or to die with his comrades.

This inner conflict creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, as Odysseus wrestles with his own emotions. Glück's use of enjambment in this line reinforces this sense of indecision, as the reader is forced to pause and consider each desire separately.

Ultimately, Odysseus makes his decision, choosing to return home to his wife and son. This choice is not without its consequences, as his comrades are left to continue the battle without him. But Glück suggests that this decision is ultimately the right one, as it allows Odysseus to embrace his own happiness and fulfill his own desires. As she writes:

He made his decision,

to go home, and knew it was right.

In conclusion, Louise Glück's poem "Odysseus' Decision" is a powerful exploration of the themes of duty, sacrifice, and the complexities of human emotion. Glück's vivid imagery and use of repetition and enjambment create a sense of urgency and tension, as Odysseus wrestles with his difficult decision. Ultimately, Glück suggests that the pursuit of one's own happiness and well-being is a powerful force, even in the face of societal expectations and obligations. Through her masterful poetic craft, Glück takes us on a journey through time and memory, reminding us of the timeless struggles of the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Odysseus' Decision: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Louise Glück

Louise Glück's poem "Odysseus' Decision" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of choice, identity, and the human condition. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to uncover its hidden layers of significance.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "The great man turns his back on the island." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it immediately establishes the central conflict: Odysseus, the great man, must make a decision to leave the island and return home. The use of the word "turns" is significant, as it implies a physical and emotional turning away from something. This sets up the idea that Odysseus is leaving something behind, something that he may never see again.

The next line, "Now he will not die in paradise nor hear again," is a powerful statement that highlights the consequences of Odysseus' decision. The word "paradise" is significant, as it suggests that the island is a place of beauty and perfection. However, the use of the word "die" implies that this paradise is not eternal, and that Odysseus must leave it behind in order to continue living. The phrase "nor hear again" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is leaving behind something he loves, perhaps the sound of the waves or the birdsong.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, as Glück explores the inner conflict that Odysseus is experiencing. She writes, "The turbulent waters are calm / his sails fill with the first wind / and the dark voyage begins." The use of the word "turbulent" suggests that Odysseus has been struggling with this decision for some time, and that the calm waters represent a sense of resolution. The phrase "his sails fill with the first wind" is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is finally taking action and moving forward. The use of the word "dark" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is entering into an unknown and potentially dangerous territory.

The poem then shifts again, as Glück explores the idea of identity and the role it plays in Odysseus' decision. She writes, "And after this, how can he face his own wife?" This line is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is not just leaving behind a physical place, but also a part of himself. The use of the word "face" implies that Odysseus is ashamed or embarrassed by his decision, and that he may struggle to reconcile his actions with his sense of self. The phrase "his own wife" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is not just leaving behind a place, but also a person who is important to him.

The poem then shifts again, as Glück explores the idea of choice and the role it plays in Odysseus' decision. She writes, "He remembers when his own ship touched bright land / he cried out, thinking back to his first glimpse of it." This line is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus has a deep emotional connection to his home and his past. The use of the word "remember" implies that Odysseus is actively choosing to leave behind something he loves, and that he is aware of the consequences of his decision. The phrase "his own ship" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is not just leaving behind a place, but also a part of himself.

The poem then shifts again, as Glück explores the idea of regret and the role it plays in Odysseus' decision. She writes, "He has made it up in his mind to never return." This line is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of the finality of his decision, and that he may regret it in the future. The use of the phrase "made it up in his mind" implies that Odysseus has thought long and hard about his decision, and that he is committed to it. The phrase "never return" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of the consequences of his decision, and that he may never see his home or his loved ones again.

The poem then shifts again, as Glück explores the idea of sacrifice and the role it plays in Odysseus' decision. She writes, "He has listened to the voices calling him to leave / though he thinks of them as the voices of the dead." This line is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is sacrificing something important to him in order to follow his own path. The use of the phrase "voices calling him to leave" implies that Odysseus is being pulled in different directions, and that he must make a choice. The phrase "voices of the dead" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of the sacrifices he is making, and that he may never be able to return to his former life.

The poem then shifts again, as Glück explores the idea of destiny and the role it plays in Odysseus' decision. She writes, "He will not listen to them again, / not to the sea nor the mountain streams / nor the sails, nor the voices of men / urging him to come home." This line is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of his destiny, and that he is committed to following his own path. The use of the phrase "not to the sea nor the mountain streams" implies that Odysseus is aware of the forces that are pulling him in different directions, and that he is choosing to ignore them. The phrase "voices of men urging him to come home" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of the expectations of others, and that he is choosing to follow his own path.

The poem then ends with a simple statement: "He has chosen to live / his life in exile." This line is significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of the consequences of his decision, and that he is committed to following his own path. The use of the phrase "chosen to live" implies that Odysseus is actively making a choice, and that he is aware of the sacrifices he is making. The phrase "life in exile" is also significant, as it suggests that Odysseus is aware of the finality of his decision, and that he may never be able to return to his former life.

In conclusion, "Odysseus' Decision" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of choice, identity, and the human condition. Through its use of language, structure, and imagery, the poem delves deep into the inner conflict that Odysseus experiences as he makes the difficult decision to leave behind his home and his loved ones. Glück's use of language is particularly powerful, as it conveys the emotional weight of Odysseus' decision and the consequences that follow. Overall, "Odysseus' Decision" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that will resonate with readers long after they have finished reading it.

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