Why Odysseus Refuses Immortality

Odysseus rejects becoming a god... why?

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Glenn Arbery of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK FIVE of the Odyssey--arguably one of the important passages in the entire Odyssey and in the Western canon.

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Check out our written study guide to the Odyssey!

Odysseus is offered everything a man could desire: immortality, endless pleasure, and the love of the goddess Calypso on her enchanted island. Yet he refuses, choosing instead the path of suffering, homecoming, and humanity. The conversation unpacks why Odysseus weeps on the shore despite his Edenic surroundings, the deeper meaning of his refusal, and the timeless question Homer poses to every listener: Would you say no to immortal pleasure?

The scholars dive into rich themes—Odysseus’s interior dialogue with his own thumos (spirit), the contrast between Calypso’s cave and rocky Ithaca, the subtle work of the gods and fate, and striking antecedents to Platonic psychology.

With insightful close readings, connections to the Iliad, and reflections on identity, place, and human flourishing, this discussion transforms a single book into a meditation on what truly makes life worth living. Whether you’re new to Homer or revisiting the epic, this episode will leave you eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves great books, philosophy, or wrestling with life’s biggest questions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

04:13 Exploring the Odyssey: Book Five

09:41 Athena's Plea and Zeus's Response

23:53 Odysseus on Calypso's Island: A Study of Contrast

34:43 The Choice of Immortality: Odysseus's Dilemma

39:32 The Identity of Odysseus: Suffering and Immortality

41:02 The Nature of Human Desire and Fulfillment

42:56 The Dilemma of Odysseus: Choices and Consequences

45:14 The Complexity of Fidelity: Odysseus and the Goddesses

48:09 Homer's Moral Landscape: Understanding Odysseus

51:14 The Role of Place in Identity and Homecoming

54:05 The Symbolism of Clothing: Calypso vs. Nausicaa

01:09:40 The Wrath of Poseidon: Odysseus's Struggles at Sea

01:13:35 The Inner Dialogue of Odysseus: Heart and Mind

01:17:23 The Weight of Time and Suffering

01:20:04 The Complexity of Divine Intervention

01:22:21 Agency and Internal Dialogue

01:25:20 Mortality and Immortality: The Role of Women

01:29:10 Navigating Divine Guidance

01:31:20 The Human Experience and Divine Learning

01:33:56 The Journey to the Shore: A Symbol of Rebirth

01:40:05 The Significance of the Olive Tree

01:43:41 The Transformation of Odysseus

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Be sure to check out our Odyssey episodes from 2024 too!