Many people have noticed parallels between the Odyssey and Desmond's story in Lost. Odysseus is a sailor lost at sea. His wife Penelope is a model wife who waits loyally for his return, never remarrying, and never giving up her belief that her husband was alive and would come home soon. So with so many parallels I couldn't help but wonder if the 10 years it takes Odysseus to return to Penny is an indication that Desmond has 2 more years to go before he and Penny are reunited.

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"Helen, do you remember that authentic Australian walkabout I told you about?"

When Odysseus returns home there are men in his house, suitor for his wife. He goes in disguise and manages to banish them from his home. Even his wife and son do not realize it is him in the beginning. How far into this story do you think they'll go? Desmond disguises himself so that Penni's father doesn't discover his fate?

Ody and his son Telemacos kill most of the suitors

the writers are selectively borrowing from many stories from the Odyessey to modern tales especially HG Wells this season

so these guys did their homework

wouldn't that coincide with the two more seasons we have upcoming on LOST (not including this current one...)

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I love my beautiful turnipheads...

There are quite a lot of Homeric elements to the narrative of LOST, but I don't think Des and Odysseus similarities are significantly strong. No doubt though, that majority of the narratives of modern literature share the theme of 'journey= finding home, finding oneself' and all are greatly inspired by Homer.

One major dissimilarity between Odysseus and Des is that the former is a great sailor and warrior, a powerful and charismatic man famous for his cunningness and numerous victories. Flashbacks of Des didn't show a man with similar traits or personal history; Des has never been pictured as an industrious man with skills in any profession and he always looked confused about his ambitions and desires in those flashbacks. Odysseus' trip is triggered by his zest to multiply his victories, Desmond is looking for a clean break from his past which is not full of success stories.

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"Bear...? Is that you?"-- Hurley S03E4

This is an excellent observation, Flaneuse.

Odysseus was one of the most influential Greek champions during the Trojan War. Along with Nestor and Idomeneus he was one of the most trusted advisers and counsellors. He always championed the Achaean cause and was unwavering in his cause when the king was in question. Odysseus is renowned for his guile and resourcefulness. The Trojan Horse, the famous stratagem, was devised by Odysseus.

Desmond is as Flaneuse says. Desmond thinks himself without honor, and perhaps he is - we aren't sure why he is in prison. He had to leave school after his father left to take care of his three brothers, he didn't stay at the monastery, he was almost a doctor, he didn't stay as a set designer for the Royal Shakespeare Co., he couldn't bring himself to marry Ruth, he couldn't bring himself to marry Penny. Mr. Widmore goes so far as to call him a "coward." Whereas Odysseus succeeds in his life; Desmond fails. Mrs. Hawking herself tells Desmond that pushing the button will be the only truly great thing he ever does (although I don't know that I believe her!)

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