Role of the gods in the odyssey
In determining the role of the Gods in The Odyssey, by Homer, one must ponder where Odysseus would be if the Greek Gods did not exist. If it weren't for Athena, daughter of Zeus, would Odysseus still be able to overcome the challenges he faced from Poseidon (the God of the Sea), Helios (the sun god), Calypso (the goddess-nymph), and Circe (the goddess and enchantress) during his journey home? Would he still experience the same life long lessons in his prolonged journey home which enabled him to grow as character? Would the Odyssey be an odyssey, a long voyage marked by many changes of fortune, if not for the gods who cursed him or those that assisted him? The depiction of the role of the gods played in The Odyssey is presented as both good and evil. The gods play either a savior-like role, as in Jesus Christ, or a tormentor role, as in Satan. For instance, gods such as Athena assist in Odysseus' journey home, while gods like Poseidon hinder his progress. Throughout the Odyssey! it is evident that the gods are essential, for they not only serve as plot enhancers, but they also help Odysseus grow as a character and return him to Ithaca as a better and more experienced man than he was when he first left.
"Then, in the same breath Zeus hit the craft / with a lightning bolt and thunder. When Poseidon notices that Calypso, the nymph, lets Odysseus go he is outraged. This allows him to reach his loyal swineherd, Eumaeus and his son Telemachus, who both are essential to his battle with the suitors. Like Calypso, Circe also offers Odysseus immortality and invites them to stay. In Book 13, Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca and Athena lets him know that she had been on his side all along (13:341-344). Poseidon hates Odysseus for what he did to his son the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Olympian Zeus, have you no care for him in your lofty heart?Did he never win your favor with sacrifices Burned beside the ships on the broad plain of Troy?Why, Zeus, why so dead set against Odysseus?Odysseus journey home - the exile must return! (1:54-76)This outcry to Zeus shows the favor that Athena has for Odysseus. Poseidon swears that Odysseus will never return home safely. They take her up on her offer and stay a year, when finally they yearn for home. However, Odysseus' pride gets the best of him, for as he and his men are escaping, he yells, "Cyclops-/ if any man on the face of this earth should ask you / who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus, / raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, / Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca" (9:558-562). Similarly, Helios, the sun god, also slows Odysseus journey home. Then after being blinded, the Cyclops yells out to his friends, "Nobody, friends, / Nobody's killing me not by fraud and not by force" (9:454-455). Brave and ingenious Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is Nobody (9:410).
Common topics in this essay:
War Brave,
Similarly Helios,
Poseidon Collectively,
Sea Helios,
Cice's Palace,
Zeus King,
Island Calypso,
Odysseus Athena,
Phaecia Athena,
Ithaca Father,
journey home,
odysseus journey,
odysseus journey home,
teaches odysseus,
gods odyssey,
journey home gods,
helios sun,
battle suitors,
book 13,
helios sun god,
god sea,
circe goddess enchantress,
athena makes,
teaches odysseus lesson,
circe goddess,
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Acceptance Essays
