Poseidon And Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

The Odyssey by Homer is a Greek epic about the journey and trials experienced by Odysseus, the protagonist. Despite being written in the 8th century, is still remains widespread and read by an array of audiences to this day. The notion that “Man is nothing without the gods.” is a motif that remains prevalent throughout the entirety of The Odyssey and other Greek texts. Poseidon and Athena serve of prime examples as one helps the mortals and one hinders.

Poseidon is first to coin the phrase “Man is nothing without the gods.” in the film version of The Odyssey. Scorned by Odysseus’s braggadocious remarks and the blinding of his son, he seeks to impede Odysseus’s campaign home. According to the text, Polyphemus, a cyclops who is Poseidon’s son, is blinded by Odysseus and prays to him imploring Poseidon to,“...grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, never sees his home..” (Homer, Book 9). Poseidon concedes this wish and blows Odysseus’s ship off course multiple times, casting away any hopes of returning home by sea.

Poseidon, however, was not the only god of the “big three” all powerful deities of Olympus to be angered by Odysseus. On his way home from Troy, Odysseus and his crew plunder the island of the Cicones. Their foolish raiding reaps

In book 22,“Athena urges Odysseus on to battle, yet holds back her fullest aid… six suitors attempt an attack on odysseus, but Athena deflects their arrows.” (Homer, Book 22). Additionally, in book 24, the angry families of the suitors take up arms to against Odysseus and his family. To prevent a blood feud between the families, Athena appears on the battlefield, urging the families to lay their sword down on behalf of Zeus, who sends a smoking lightning bolt at her feet. Consistently, Athena comes in Odysseus time of need yet abstains from her full potential, allowing the mortals to win their battles on their