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Three interventions of the gods in the odyssey
The odyssey the relationship to the Gods
The odyssey the relationship to the Gods
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Importance of the Divine Interventions
What is mankind without the gods? In Homer’s epic poem The “Odyssey”, the gods are constantly looking over the world and in particular, Odysseus. Odysseus is always being watched over by many gods and their interferences with him have shown their importance to the epic poem. In the “Odyssey”, the whole plot revolves around the gods and their aid and interference on Odysseus’s journey back home. Gods such as Poseidon, Hermes, and Athena have intervened and caused many conflicts and resolutions in Odysseus’s journey.
The god of the sea’s, the all mighty Poseidon. Being one of the 12 Olympians and having immense power in his hands, allows him to do almost anything in Odysseus’s journey back home. With the
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As Odysseus admires and prays to Athena, she also gives her gratitude back by not only intervening and aiding Odysseus but also helping his son Telemachus. Athena is also a positive factor in the “Odyssey” that helps the Odysseus reach his goals no matter what. However she is very limited with her power as in she cannot fulfill Odysseus’s full wishes due to Poseidon and Zeus having more authority and power over her. However she still tries to assist Odysseus and his struggling family.” This is shown when Athena gives an advice to Telemachus who is searching for his father, “Athena goes to Telemachus and tells him to return home. She warns him of the suitors' plot to kill him and advises him to stay with the swineherd for a night. Telemachus does as she bids.” In this quote, not only do readers see how Athena intervenes into Odysseus kingdom and family by looking over them, but she possibly has saved Telemachus life by warning him of the hostile suitors. Athena is also very helpful in her intervention when Odysseus returns back to Ithaca by using her magic to turn Odysseus into an old man, “She disguises him as an old man, so that he can surprise the suitors, and then urges him to visit his faithful swineherd, Eumaeus-- Telemachus returns home, and Odysseus and the swineherd soon follow. Odysseus is still disguised as a beggar.” This smart decision that was done by Athena contributed to Odysseus’s cunning and dangerous mission to get back to his mourning wife. Not only did Athena save Odysseus’s life once more, but she has given him the chance to reunite with his family and kingdom. Athena, for this reason, would have to be the biggest and most important divine intervention in the
Athena aided Ody in his journey home by providing guidance and advice on difficult obstacles. She gives Odysseus a lot of advice on how to handle perilous obstacles. For example, Athena tells Odysseus to go home in a disguise. This is the reason that she transforms Odysseus back into a poor, shriveled beggar from a godlike man. The new disguise allows Odysseus to get home
In this long narrative poem, Odysseus changes from being disrespectful to the gods by explicitly saying that he doesn’t need them, to longing forgiveness later by stating that he is nothing without them. After the success with the Trojan Horse, Odysseus considered himself higher than the gods because he, a mortal, was able to accomplish something even the gods couldn’t. He boasted to Poseidon and the others about how he is overpowering, and how his power and abilities were far beyond their limits. His epic boasting to the gods had lead him to create his own obstacles as, he is one who essentially was the cause. This disrespectful attitude is the personality which shows how Odysseus behaved at the beginning of the story. It not only demonstrates what he was once like, but how his obstacles get much more precarious. As this is the attitude in the beginning, by the end of this epic, Odysseus understands the value of gods and their power, even if it’s for good or bad. At the end of book twenty-two, page 1160, on lines 107-109, Odysseus finally accepts the fact that he is not the biggest thing
In every journey the hero also has a mentor. In this story Athena, the gray-eyed goddess of wisdom, has taken on this role for both Odysseus and Telemachus. Athena was by Odysseus’ side as a guide for much of the beginning of his Journey. Athena also is a guide to Odysseus when he’s not even aware o...
...o all guests saved Odysseus and helped him return home to his wife, son, and kingdom. Even though people from many different kingdoms and islands took Odysseus in their home and showed him great kindness on his return home, the individual who helped him most was the goddess Athena. In many occasions Athena assisted Odysseus. One such example is when Odysseus was fighting of the suitors and they threw spears at him. "Re-forming, the suitors threw again with all their strength, but Athena turned their shots, or all but two (p 566)." Another instance which Athena aided Odysseus was when she disguised him as a beggar on his arrival to his homeland. "Would even you have guessed that I am Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, I that am always with you in times of trial, a shield to you in battle (p 444)." "Your goddess-guardian to the end in all your trials (p 539)."
The great epic, Homer's Odyssey, is a tale of an adventure; a journey through the mind body and soul. Odysseus was strong throughout his voyage and was able to conquer his obstacles thanks to the help from the Goddess Athena. Athena provided physical and emotional support for this man, to get him on his way home to Ithaka. She also provided this same support for Odysseus' son, Telemakhos. Without her involvement, "The Odyssey" would not have turned out the way it did; because she plays such a crucial role in the story. It is understood that Odysseus is the primary character in this epic; concerning his fears and eventually returning to his home, Ithaka. The only reason this was possible is because he had the help of the clever and intelligent Goddess, Athena.
... in deceptiveness and similarity with her: “Two of a kind, we are, contrivers, both. Of all men now alive you are the best in plots and storytelling. My own fame is for wisdom among the gods-deceptions, too” (8. 379-383). It is as if though Athena represents these qualities heavenly, whereas Odysseus represents them on earth. Athena further exclaims to Odysseus, “Whoever gets around you must be sharp and guileful as a snake; even a god might bow to you in ways of dissimulation. You! You chameleon! Bottomless bag of tricks!” (8. 371-375). It is of no surprise that by Odysseus and Athena gathering forces and wit in this journey, nothing could stand in their way and Odysseus’s homecoming. Thousands of years later, the Odyssey stands proof to that.
Athena helps Odysseuis because she chose him as a favorite, and as her champion. She is determined that her "hero" goes home in victory. Despite Zeus' warning, Athena defies her father and gives subtle helps to Odyssuis when he needs it. "This is the work of the Plunderer, Athene, who makes me what she will, for she has power, now like a begger, now again a youth in fair attire (157)." Here Odysseus refers to how Athene made him look like a begger in order to protect his identity, for she wanted him to succeed.
Athena is the goddess everyone wants to have as guardian for his life. She went against her uncle Poseidon to fight for her Odysseus. At one point, we can even think that Athena is also in love to Odysseus because she has never him down. But the real truth is Athena is an amazing goddess who protect Odysseus no matter what because this is the Love she has for him
middle of paper ... ... In Homer’s Odyssey, both Odysseus and his son Telemachus embark on long, difficult journeys; Odysseus trying to return from Troy to his home in Ithaca, escaping Calypso and the island of Ogygia, and Telemachus from Ithaca to Pylos and Sparta in search of his lost father. While The Odyssey tells of the courage both men demonstrate during their respective travels, their quests are the results of the intentions and desires of gods. Odysseus is trapped in exile on Ogygia by the will of Poseidon, whose anger Odysseus attracts when he blinds the Cyclops Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, and by the love of Calypso, who wishes to make Odysseus her husband.
She knows that it will make him stronger. There is an old saying, which goes along with this situation, ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’” (Lower). Athena is widely alluded to as a guardian angel in this epic, because she is constantly watching over Odysseus and Telemachus. At the climax of the epic, Athena assists Odysseus one last time.
For majority of our lives, we feel as though we must follow in our parents’ footsteps and live up to their expectations. Although we have the perfect role models to complete the job, it is still very difficult. Telemachus is the son of Odysseus who is a very strong and courageous warrior. At the beginning of the epic, Odysseus is not yet home from the Trojan War and his palace is being ran by suitors. His son, Telemachus, can merely only watch while he lacks the confidence and strength of his father. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, comes disguised as a friend of Odysseus, and gets Telemachus to take the first step on the journey of finding his father and becoming a man.
In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus spends ten years trying to return to his home Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War and must overcome a multitude of obstacles while abroad and after his return home. While some of his trials are surmountable with effort and focus, others are beyond his control such as the will of the gods; an element featured almost consistently throughout entirety of his ten-year journey. The interference of the gods both helps and hinders Odysseus, but he is ultimately at the mercy of their will, as the gods are not acting solely in his interests. Rather, the gods intervene in the affairs of mortals to uphold or further their own interests. These interests vary from upholding universal laws, such as xenia the guest-friendship laws of Zeus, to personal interests such as vengeance or favouritism.
However, Athena pitied Odysseus and respected him in some ways. “Athena began, recalling Odysseus to their thoughts... With those words, Zeus turned to his own son Hermes. ‘Announce to the nymph... Odysseus journeys home- the exile must return’”
Athena contends with Zeus himself in hopes of persuading him to command Calypso to release Odysseus from his seven year captivation on her island. “My heart breaks for Odysseus...cursed by fate so long- far from his loved ones still.” (Homer, 79) Mortal being have always looked to a higher power to help influence their life, and gods tend to play a very crucial role in their choices and ultimate fate. The Odyssey contains a multitude of examples where spiritual guide and support are significant to progress in the heroic journey. Athena plays a huge role in the epic; she guides Telemachus in his frustration with the suitors and even rallies his crew for him, not to mention the countless times she saves Odysseus. Athena even admits to Odysseus that she will only continue to help him: “And now I am here once more, to weave a scheme with you… Surely I’ll stand beside you, not forget you, not when the day arrives for us to do our work,” (Homer, 299). Mortals are almost helpless without favors from the gods. Ino gives Odysseus her immortal scarf to prevent him from drowning, Hermes helps Odysseus and his crew escape Circe and her malicious magic, and Aeolus awards Odysseus with a bag of winds to maneuver them home. Athena’s myriad of support may not be explicitly for self gain, however her favored hero returned home successfully all because of her help, Odysseus is like Athena’s
The gods and goddesses constantly intervene in the "Odyssey". There are many examples of divine intervention in the "Odyssey". One of the most influential gods in the Odyssey is Poseidon. Poseidon causes Odysseus's journey to be so difficult. Poseidon is mad at Odysseus because of what he did to his son Polyphemus. Polyphemus asked his father to avenge him. This resulted in only Odysseus reaching Ithaca.