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Crises Precipitate Change*

by Lisa Bloomingdale



Many a man has read the epic Odyssey by Homer, comparing Odysseus’ life to his own, thinking to himself, “Why couldn’t I have been like that?” And the truth is, many of those men have. And women, too, these days. They have lived successful lives as young adults, exploring the world around them and learning new and exciting things. They were athletic and imaginative and daring. They were independent and had to worry only about themselves. However, now that they have become “middle-aged” as they say, these men and women have families and careers and financial security to worry about. Quite frankly, some of these factors seem a bit boring when compared to the adventures of college life and young adulthood.

This turn of events is mirrored in Odysseus’ tale. Odysseus was a brave, virile man with a sense of adventure and a desire to travel. He encountered such fantastic events as battling the sea-monster Scylla, having an affair with the witch-goddess Circe, and his battle with Polyphemus the Kyklops. Odysseus traveled to the island of the Lotus Eaters and resisted the temptation of the Sirens. He journeyed to Hades to consult the prophet Tiresias and escaped Kalypso’s entrapment. Even a single one of these adventures would be enough for any man to brag about. Odysseus was placed on a pedestal for having experienced them all.

Everywhere he went, people would ask Odysseus to tell them the tale of his journeys. And, of course, Odysseus was more than happy to share it with them. However, once Odysseus came home, there were to be no more exciting adventures. He had grown old and it was time to take care of his dear wife and palace.

Odysseus probably sat around looking bored, with only the antics of his servants to amuse him. He most likely indulged in business matters with other rulers and stately affairs. The king had been gone for so long, it is doubtful that anyone would ever let him leave again. And thus, he will sit in his throne, cheek in hand, dreaming about what his life was once like.

My friend Ken** is somewhat like Odysseus in that his own life used to be a wonderful repertoire of adventures until he reached middle age. Ken used to be an all-star basketball player in college and a composer of new age jazz music. He had traveled all over the world and met all sorts of interesting people. However, once he settled down and started a family, he grew bored with his life. He started up a catering business, which he drudgingly went to day in and day out, for much longer than the average work day. After 20 years of marriage, he grew tired with his wife and had an affair with a woman he met on the Internet.

He now spends his free time chauffeuring his children back and forth to their activities. He sits at home and plays solitaire on the computer all day long. Ken tries to befriend others who are younger than him, so that he might live vicariously through them. He inquires about others’ adventures and experiences, but never has any of his own. Overall, he is an unhappy man who is constantly wishing to go back to the old days.

The mid-life crisis is an archetype that can be found all over the world throughout all different eras. One can’t help but feel sympathetic toward those who feel as if all has been lost over time. However, one can only advise them to keep their chins up and their eyes open. There are still exciting things to do when one is older; they just may be different in appearance. Optimism is the key to remaining content all throughout one’s life.

*Title taken from Anti's blog

**It is possible that not all of these facts are true.

Grade: B+

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