Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jorge Luis Borges' poem "Odyssey, Book Twenty-Three" reflects on the culmination of Odysseus's long journey home, focusing on the themes of justice, revenge, identity, and the return to peace after prolonged suffering. Drawing inspiration from Homer's "Odyssey", specifically the twenty-third book where Odysseus is finally reunited with Penelope, Borges captures the essence of the hero's journey and the resolution of his epic trials.

The poem begins with a reference to the "rapier of iron" that has wrought "the work of justice, and revenge is done." This imagery evokes the violent retribution that Odysseus exacts upon the suitors who have overrun his household in his absence. The "spear and arrows, pitiless every one," symbolize the tools of his vengeance, making the "blood of insolence run out." Here, Borges highlights the necessity of justice in restoring order to Ithaca, framing the suitors' punishment as both a personal and divine act of retribution.

Borges then reflects on the scale of Odysseus's journey, noting that "For all a god and all his seas could do / Ulysses has returned to realm and queen." Despite the many obstacles placed in his path by the gods—particularly Poseidon, who represents the "grey-green / Gales" and the "murderous hullabaloo" of Ares, the god of war—Odysseus has managed to overcome them all and reclaim his rightful place as king and husband. This line emphasizes Odysseus's resilience and determination, qualities that have allowed him to withstand divine wrath and the chaos of war.

The poem then shifts to the intimate moment of reunion between Odysseus and Penelope: "Now in the love of their own bridal bed / The shining queen has fallen asleep, her head / Upon her king’s breast." This peaceful image contrasts sharply with the violence and turmoil that preceded it, symbolizing the return to domestic harmony and the fulfillment of Odysseus's long quest. The "shining queen" refers to Penelope, whose loyalty and patience have been rewarded by her husband's return. The mention of the "bridal bed" also recalls the famous test of the bedpost, a symbol of their enduring bond and unshakable marriage.

Borges concludes the poem by reflecting on Odysseus's identity and the transformation he has undergone: "Where is that man now / Who in his exile wandered night and day / Over the world like a wild dog, and would say / His name was No One, No One, anyhow?" This question encapsulates the central tension of the "Odyssey": the struggle to maintain one's identity in the face of overwhelming adversity. During his travels, Odysseus famously used the alias "No One" to deceive the Cyclops Polyphemus, a strategy that protected him but also symbolized his loss of identity as he became a wanderer without a home.

Now that Odysseus has returned to Ithaca and reasserted his true identity, the persona of "No One" has been discarded, and the "wild dog" who roamed the world in exile has been tamed. Borges suggests that the journey has fundamentally changed Odysseus, but it has also brought him back to his true self—a man defined by his loyalty to his home, his wife, and his sense of justice.

In "Odyssey, Book Twenty-Three," Borges captures the profound resolution of Odysseus's epic journey. Through his reflective and poignant language, Borges explores the themes of justice, identity, and the restoration of order. The poem honors the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit, suggesting that even after the longest and most arduous journeys, it is possible to return to oneself and find peace.

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