Odysseus away from his wife Penolope

In the times depicted in The Odyssey, the Ancient Greek mind differs from modern society and conformities in three major areas: warfare, honour, and sex. Dream or Nightmare, heaven or hell, and whether it entrances the reader with bliss or transfixes the reader with horror, the Odyssey keeps its reader intrigued and bound in its spell.

Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of the age depicted in The Odysseus that differed from the modern era, was the role that the code of honour played then (Olga,Begley,35-60). The general rules of honour of the time were very much similar to our social conformities, but the differentiating part is the penalty for violating that code and the penalty for violating modern social rules. it is the distinction between the penalties of breaking the code of honour and breaking modern social conformities which shows the greatest differentiation between the times depicted in The Odysseys and the modern era.

Another notable differing characteristic between Odysseus age and today, is the differing reasons for battle. As shown in the many cases where Odysseus brags of his feats, he is extremely proud of having raided cities, taken all its treasure, killed all the men, taken and raped all the women, and burned the city down. While the purpose of all this destruction may be a horribly wrong and immoral one, it is at least some kind of a purpose. In the time depicted in The Odyssey, people raided and attacked mainly for personal gain, such as when Odysseus and his men attacked the Cicones. There sacked the city, killed the men, but as for the wives and plunder, that rich haul we dragged away from the place (Fagles 9.46-48)

The most horrifying and controversial difference between the society of now and then, is the ease and lack of discomfort with which men had, doing what would now be called being disloyal, adultery, and rape. Throughout the book, Odysseus is portrayed as an ethical man, who is fervently loyal to his wife. This in mind, the reader naturally pictures a man who has nothing to do with other women, does not give them more than a passing glance, and definitely does not sleep with them. Disappointingly enough, Odysseus beds mortal women and goddesses alike. Such as when Odysseus shares some last minute pleasures with Calypso.

Withdrawing into the caverns deep recesses, long in each others arms they lost themselves in love When the great hero does not have more willing women around, he raids a city and takes the women there. as for the wives we dragged away from the place (Fagles, 9.47-8) Were it that this lack of concern for the spouse applied for either gender, it would not be so appalling. However, women at the time were expected to be loyal to their husbands while their husbands went and had sex with countless women.

Even after he has just return home she says, If its be you want, its bed you'll have (Fagles, ...