Quote by Robert Graves
His wiles were witty and his fame far known, Every king's daughter sought him for her own, Yet he was nothing to be won or lost. All lands to him were Ithaca: love-tossed He loathed the fraud, yet would not bed alone.
Summary
This quote reflects on the protagonist Odysseus from the epic poem "The Odyssey" by Homer. It highlights that although Odysseus possessed charm and was pursued by many women, he remained loyal to his homeland, Ithaca. He rejected the advances of other women despite being away from his wife Penelope for years. The quote also presents the conflicting nature of Odysseus: while he despised dishonesty, he did not want to be devoid of intimate connection, showcasing his complex character and his commitment to his wife and his homeland.