Odysseus Notes:  The Paradox of Pain

 

Paradox:  A statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense, and is perhaps true.

 

       Example 1: Light is a wave and a particle

 

       Example 2: God is Jesus and is also everywhere

 

In The Odyssey, Homer shows that life is pain and that to live as a human in the world one must be a giver of pain and an accepter of pain.  This is a paradoxical belief, because at first glance it might seem “opposed to common sense,” that perhaps life should be about trying to avoid causing pain and avoid having pain caused to you.  However, in Homer, to try and avoid pain (to sleep, to not face a dangerous situation head on, to avoid conflict personally, politically, or militarily) is to become a “lotus eater,” to deny the gift of life its bitter/sweet duality, to not accept one’s life.

 

Duality:  (Dualism, Dichotomy) The idea that the world consists of opposites (Yin and Yang)

 

       Example 1:  Good and Evil

 

       Example 2:  Light and Dark

 

 

According to many scholars, Odysseus is a journey of self-discovery.  By asserting his will, making his name known, fighting for acclaim and fame, refusing to give in to all the temptations in his journey (Lotus Eaters, Circe, Calypso, Sirens, Charbydis, Oxen of the Sun) or give up after experiencing failure (Lestrygonians, Aolios), Odysseus gains his life.

 

Identity = Consciousness, Stoicism, Will, Name, Pain Causing, Pain Accepting, Civilization (Technology)

 

Consciousness: Awareness (wakefulness)

 

Stoicism: Indifference to pleasure or pain (self-restraint and self-denial)

 

Will:  (Volition) The power or control over one’s own actions

 

Nonentity = Unconsciousness, Epicureanism, Adoraxia, Obscurity, Oblivion, Animal-like existence (Don’t use tools or don’t develop them)

 

Unconsciousness: To be unaware (sleep)

 

Epicureanism:  Devotion to pleasure (Hedonism: the doctrine that pleasure or happiness are the sole or chief goal in life.)

 

Adoraxia (archaic):  A complete paralysis of the will (paralysis: a state of powerlessness)

 

Oblivion: Lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness