The Odyssey

             In the epic poem The Odyssey, written by Homer, there are many gods with petty jealousies and complex human emotions. This explains the "ups" and "downs" in an individual's life. This reflects in Odysseus' state of being in book 5 many times. Odysseus is helpless. Many gods try to help him and others try to create obstacles for him to cross. The gods' emotions and state of being affect Odysseus' course of life during book 5.
             The emotions and state of being of many gods affect Odysseus in a positive way. One of the gods that help him is Pallas Athena, Zeus' daughter. She grows fond of him while she helps him reach his home, Ithaka. She talks to Hermes, the way finder, and he also says, "thus you shall send him, and show more grace in your obedience or be chastised by Zeus."(Page 85). Athena goes out of her way to help Odysseys and feels sorry for him, "Meanwhile he lives and grieves upon that island in thralldom to the nymph, he cannot stir"(5.5-17). Kalypso, a beautiful sea nymph, also offers him aide when she says, "Here you need grieve no more; you need not feel your life consumed here [...] and I shall help you go."(5.160-162). There are many gods that help Lord Odysseus on his journey to his beloved, humble, abode, the island of Ithaka.
             On the other hand, the complex emotions and state of being of other gods, affect Odysseus in a negative way. For example, Kalypso is initially reluctant to send Odysseus home because she grows fond of Odysseus and thinks that the gods are jealous of her. For example, when she says, "oh you vile gods in jealousy supernal! You hate it when we choose to lie with men but not immortal flesh by some dew mortal side"(5.117-119). Poseidon bears a grudge to Odysseus and he makes it very hard for Odysseus to make his way home. An example of this is when he says, "still I can give him a rough ri
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The Odyssey. (2000, January 01). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 06:49, September 28, 2026, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/90666.html