Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012

The Odysseus Complex

Psychoanalysts and historians alike have targeted the wrong literary figure. The Freudian identification of an Oedipus complex, (Bernstein 269) or Jungs gender-equivalent Electra complement (Kilmartin and Dervin 269) a fixation on consummation with ones mother and vengeful death wishing upon the father in an individuals phallic stage, is another instance of Freuds insane musings, and is now largely deemed irrelevant (Bower 248; Oedipus Wrecked 3). While psychoanalysis as a field has declined in prevalence over time, cognitive psychology has come to the forefront, analyzing issues through the analysis of the mind. And in this surge in attention comes a greater attention to the paradigms within. Through these trends the Oedipus complex no longer holds clout in literary psychology; instead, a new search has begun. What has yet to be revealed is another character of Greek origin that represents a complex much more valid to human demeanor. From Homers The Odyssey comes the main character, Odysseus, who presents a persona so distrustful, so manipulative more often than not that the behavior hints at psychological issues affecting more than surface level actions. The Odysseus complex is a manifestation of Odysseus that is largely overlooked, perhaps a result of a sort of post traumatic stress disorder, or maybe more hereditary than situational, the disorder presents a serious psychological effect. Defined, the Odysseus complex is a learned disposition after significant exposure to trauma to distrust anyone who comes in contact, particularly those closest to the individual. This distrust comes not from decisive choice, but instead comes from a loss of self-identity. In Odysseus case, after ten years of trying to reach Ithaca, the situation of reunion created in his mind becomes so fantastic than any fruition of the dreams becomes so disconnected from reality that the scenario and people around him take on
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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 the shape of a heightened fantasy. This complete division between military life and civilian life turns home into a foreign environment, one Odysseus no longer knows. As a result of his return to his now unfamiliar land, the resulting actions and relationships are no longer indicative of the past king; instead, his complex has generated a new king disillusioned by his now pervasive separation from his past and present self. Painted by Homer to be the wittiest, wiliest king in all of Greece, Odysseus and his fundamental issues of trust and psychological manipulation of those both personally close and distant paint a concerning picture, for core issues such as those define a man much more basely than one would like to admit (Fagles 475). The unfailing ambush of speculation and mistrust rife in Odysseus actions mark a disorder that carries extreme relevance to todays psychological attentions. An ancient variation of PTSD, the Odysseus complex contains instances that nod to todays current research on the stress of war on the soldiers psyche. Before specifically targeting the effects of Odysseus actions, necessary it is to look at what his actions are. Much has been said differentiating The Iliad from The Odyssey, specifically the personalities of the major characters of the respective epics. The Iliad demonstrates a more masculine, warlike look into the Trojan period, while The Odyssey presents a feminine, psychological view into the journey of Odysseus and the characters in Ithaca (Manguel 160). As a result, the reader gets a further introspective insight to the characters true personalities. Throughout his journey, Odysseus struggles with his ability to trust others. Whether an enemy like Polyphemus or his wife, Penelope, Odysseus contacts never fail to undergo a manipulative examination of deservedness of trust. The fault, however, cannot lie solely on Odysseus inherent skepticism. Instead, the effects of war must surely have taken their toll on his psyche. With
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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 psychology emerging as a relatively recent science, the analyses that have become so prevalent for explaining todays phenomena of emerging psychological disorders in returning soldiers are virtually absent in historical examinations. The psychological stress and torment of Trojan warfare were surely no less than wholly mind-altering, as the sheer brutality and decimation characteristic of Greek combat at that time undoubtedly caused great damage, for men were born for pain in that place (Fagles 117). Odysseus trust delves much more deeply than relationship history gone awry. Beyond the understandable distrust of strangers, Odysseus deepseated manipulation and argumentation with his closest family members shows a character deeply scarred by the effects of the Trojan War. A modern-day equivalent of a soldier MIA twenty years in, Odysseus certainly finds himself deep in the ignominy of a dishonorable disappearance. As a result, the jarring disgrace takes its toll on his ability to reason with others and forces his to trust no one. What proves most shocking is Odysseus mistrust of his immediate family, specifically those closest to him. An odd reverse-confidence formula emerges; the closer the individual was to Odysseus, the higher the level of resulting scrutiny and manipulation (Shay 55). As a result of his psychological scarring, Odysseus seems to have impaired his ability to rationally connect with and trust those most close to him. Deranged in a usual limbo of exerting control and testing loyalty, Odysseus goes as far as hurting his closest confidantes. Upon the eve of this execution of his plan, Odysseus manages to strangle Eurycleia his most loyal maidservant, clutching the womans throat, vowing to kill [her] like the other unfaithful women of the house (Fagles 406). Eurycleia, the woman who was most faithful to his wife over his twenty year absence, instantaneously after realizing Odysseus
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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 true identity finds herself hugged so close to the manic who vows not to spare her (Fagles 407). This scene is so telling of the agitation and hypervigilance that result from post traumatic stress: his immediate reaction to stifle Eurycleias realization in such a harsh manner is a complete exaggeration of response; however, it seems to be out of his control. Odysseus desire for his plan to work out perfectly completely outweighs his sense of moral obligation of trust. Even after Eurycleias pleading, that she would keep still as a solid rock or iron, her genuine promise to Odysseus, his response is not one of apology or realization of false mistrust; rather, Odysseus reiterates his warning of his final judgment to Eurycleia, commanding her to stay out of the matter (Fagles 407). This blatant disregard for sentiment or reunification with his nurse from his birth tells of the wholly adverse effects of his disorder. This plan this fixation has generated a hero so completely out of touch with his former life on Ithaca. Looking, perhaps for a remedy for the persistent distrust, Odysseus sought retribution against the suitors who wronged his house. The necessary catharsis, the slaying of the suitors and dishonest maids and servants, was a potential way to bring peace to this troubled mind. However, after the killing, there was no peace of mind: there was no ease of the temper. The complex was more than a simple case of retribution; instead, this disorder is one deeply entrenched in his character. Differently visible is Odysseus interaction with his wife, Penelope. The couples relationship after Odysseus return is quite different from Odysseus physical violence to Eurycleia; instead, his manipulation goes much deeper to a new level of scheming. Surely understandable is Odysseus desire to keep hidden his identity, for telling Penelope before the killing of the suitors would have caused a notable differentiation in her demeanor, giving away her knowledge of her husbands return. What is much cloudier, however, is his treatment of her

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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 after the slaughter. One would suppose that the couple would finally happily reunite once the suitors were removed from the situation. Instead, Odysseus finds the need to further test Penelopes trustworthiness by creating a cover-up so that the whole island will not know of the massacre. This actions effects are two-fold: Odysseus creates an attempt at safety from angry citizens that is paltry at best, and also establishes a further distance between him and his wife. This craft does nothing more than give Penelope further doubt that this figure is her husband. What happened to the fair, honest Odysseus, she surely thinks. After receiving valuations such as woman of iron heart, and callous, and faithless, Penelope has no inkling, no desire for this cruel man to be her husband prior to this final test of her own (Fagles 460). While she finally accepts Odysseus as her husband, her lengthened skepticism as to his true identity shows his difference in temperament. Though he saved her from the wretched suitors, this saving grace much more resembles an anti-hero than a blessing. What seemed to be the cause of the difference in disposition was the stress of the impending massacre. But now, after that stress had been lifted, it seems not that the current stress affects his remarkably different character; alternatively, his issues of mistrust obscure his ability to reconcile with those who truly support him. Rather than embrace Penelope post-suitors, Odysseus chooses to test Penelope, even taunt her claiming an air of superiority and spitefulness. Inciting assumptions about Penelopes mistrust of him, Odysseus throws out insults left and right, laughing towards Telemachus that Penelope refuses to believe that he is really her husband (Fagles 459). The hypocrisy of the situation so palpable, Odysseus testing of Penelope on issues of infidelity and mistrust demonstrates clear irony, as Penelope remains the most faithful of all his family tolerating the suitors, rarely giving up home for the return of her

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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 husband; the man who slept with others, most notably Calypso for a good ten years accuses Penelope for even an instant of unfaithfulness, further increasing the situations irony. This more than any other instance shows how truly delusional Odysseus is. Applied to modern marriage standards, vowing to stay together for better or worse completely misses Odysseus, as he decides it better to accuse rather than to reunite. In regards to manipulation of loved ones, Odysseus most egregious attempt comes at the conclusion of the epic. After all has been restored, and the family is once again reunited, Odysseus leaves one last person to whom he needs to embrace: his father. After reaching Laertess gardens and seeing his father clad in filthy rags, cultivating in misery, Odysseus then sees the need to test his father to prove his loyalty to his long lost son. In debating head and heart, mulling over whether or not to test his father, Odysseus struggles clearly to recognize the exclusive bond that a parent and child share (Fagles 475). Surely, one must see that Odysseus has clearly lost his mind here. His old, sick father the father that remained perhaps the most faithful of anyone, refusing to bow to the dictates of the suitors Odysseus feels best to reproach with words that cut to the core to test his loyalty (Fagles 475). This instance evokes actual discomfort in any reader; to see this scene unfold makes any stomach churn. Bottom line: Odysseus has some sort of mental disorder. To purposely torment ones decrepit father is both cruel and unusual punishment, and in Odysseus situation is indicative of psychological problems. At this point in Odysseus journey after all of the lying and scheming one would not expect much less from Odysseus. In crafting a cover story to tell his father, Odysseus terms himself Man of Strife, son of King Pain, and through the narrative watches his dear father struggle, sobbing, in spasms (Fagles 478). This heartless manipulation of Laertes by his son

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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 shows the depth of his complex, his inability to see and rationalize civilian relationships. So empowered by his fame and glory in those he has encountered on his journey home, Odysseus fails to realize the implications of his actions, and no longer understands normal social interactions. This distrust indicates the insidious envelopment of the complex in every aspect of the soldier. The stress of his experience has so seriously twisted his ability to rationalize and reason with himself, that all decisions are now made under the premise of self-preservation. While a wonderful display of all that is celebrated in Greek culture, Odysseus and his Machiavellian approach to obtaining whatever he desires is certainly not descriptive of a great Ithacan king. No. Odysseus represents much more often than not an ideal that is wrong with Greek culture. Much like Narcissus, Odysseus, with his inability to see the fault in his actions, will ultimately lose his game of self-importance because of his destructive wake, complicating what was formerly simple. Odysseus involvement in the war certainly spurred this change in personality, as the former king and present king are most evidently two separate entities. When the only way his closest family can truly verify his true identity is a scar, some profound change has certainly occurred; the Odysseus they once knew and the Odysseus present are two distinct people. The new Odysseus is a full byproduct of the war, and his journey home. The experiences, both physically and mentally taxing, transformed Odysseus from a proud king to a skeptical manipulator living off of his former power. Though the last book of The Odyssey is titled Peace, the peace to come will be a peace of delusion, a peace of quiet exploitation. The once and former king no longer exists, as a newly formed king has come to be. The psychologically marred Odysseus has returned. Though revenge was exacted against the suitors and the unfaithful, the deep distrust harbored against his
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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 closest and most loyal followers hints at future instances to come. The heart of the Odysseus complex hits in the stark reality of the situation. The loss of self-identity sets up for a permanent disengagement from reality, for Odysseus psyche has been so overtaken by his psychological complex. Unfortunately, the reader never sees the real Odysseus, as the one spit out by the Trojan War is deeply entrenched in a psychological war of his own.

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Jacob Spangler E603B Bertleson March 2 2012 Works Cited Bernstein, Arnold. "Freud and Oedipus: A New Look at the Oedipus Complex in the Light of Freud's Life." Modern Psycholanalysis 26.2 (2001): 269-83. Print. Bower, Bruce. "Oedipus Wrecked: Freud's Theory of Frustrated Incest Goes on the Defensive." Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association 140.16 (2001): 248-51. Academic Search Complete, 19 Oct. 1991. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1996. Print. Kilmartin, Christopher T., and Daniel Dervin. "Inaccurate Representation of the Electra Complex in Psychology Textbooks." Teaching of Psychology 24.4 (1997): 269-70. Print. Manguel, Alberto. Homer's the Iliad and the Odyssey: A Biography. New York: Atlantic Monthly, 2007. Print. Psychology Today Staff. "Oedipus Wrecked." Was Freud Wrong about Boys and Their Mothers? Psychology Today, 1 July 1993. Web. 01 Mar. 2012. Shay, Jonathan. Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming. New York: Scribner, 2002. Print.

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