Fate In The Odyssey Essay
How is fate determined? The concept of fate has been around for centuries, but it remains uncertain who or what specifically decides our fate. The epic poem written by Homer, The Odyssey, expresses the idea that fate was controlled by the gods. The ancient Greeks believed that gods, or higher beings, were the cause for any unexplained event that occurred in the mortal world. They would blame the gods for all of their misfortunes but would also pray to the same gods for help and protection. Gods could play with a mortal’s life as much as they wanted, and there would be no way for a mortal to stop them. Monsters, like gods, also have the power to alter the course of a mortal’s life. Even if fate is predetermined, gods, goddesses, and other …show more content…
Odysseus provoked Polyphemus, a giant, one-eyed monster, by plunging a burning stake into his eye and blinding him. In a fit of rage, Polyphemus condemned Odysseus by praying to Poseidon, “ ‘Hear me, great Poseidon; if I am indeed your own true begotten son, grant that Odysseus may never reach his home alive; or if he must get back to his friends at last, let him do so late and in sore plight after losing all his men let him reach his home in another man’s ship and find trouble in his house’ ” (Homer 100). Polyphemus pleaded to Poseidon to help put a curse on Odysseus and make his journey more grueling in order to prevent Odysseus from returning home to Ithaca. Polyphemus asking Poseidon, who is the god of sea, for assistance indicates that even monsters need the help of gods to interfere with a mortal’s …show more content…
Athena, for instance, aided Odysseus on his journey to guarantee that he would safely return home to Ithaca. When Poseidon casted strong currents of winds in Odysseus’ direction, Athena “countered him at once. The rest of the winds she stopped right in their tracks, commanding them all to hush now, go to sleep… so he could reach the Phaeacians, mingle with men who love their long oars and escape his death at last.” (Homer 89). Athena protected Odysseus from the wrath of Poseidon and helped him throughout his journey because she favored his heroic qualities. As Odysseus received help from a goddess, he was able to avoid the same terrible fate as his men, who all died from the meddling of
Role Of Fate In The Odyssey
671 Words | 3 PagesFate and destiny are very important parts in The Odyssey. Many gods and goddesses find their fate and destiny through the choices they make. For example, in Book 9, the Cyclopes predicts Odysseus’ destiny. “...Grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, never see his home… Should destiny intend that he shall see his roof again among his family and his father
Essay On Hero And Zero In The Odyssey
1569 Words | 7 PagesAs a result of all of these actions, it shows that Odysseus would be powerless without Athena’s aid. Before Odysseus heads to Phaeacia, Athena greatly helps Odysseus when his boat is shipwrecked on Calypso’s island. Here he is forced to stay for seven years away
Quotes From The Odyssey
616 Words | 3 PagesAt one point Odysseus meets Polyphemus, who is a Cyclops. He is also a son of Poseidon. Odysseus had to save him and his men from becoming the Cyclops meal. The author writes, “ lugging it near the Cyclops as more than natural force nerved them; straight forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright tuns a drill…” ( lines 289- 293). Odysseus shows his strength and determination when battling against this monster.
Theme Of Loyalty In The Odyssey
1020 Words | 5 PagesOdysseus was used to receiving hospitality back at his homeland, Ithaca, so when he arrived on the Cyclops’ island and did not receive the same treatment, he did not know how to react. But at the end of the day, Odysseus still manages to defeat Polyphemus, who is a god. But then Odysseus faced Poseidon’s wrath because he disrespected his family. Odysseus realized what his fate was going to be when he blinded the water god’s son: “A god may even send a great sea-monster, the kind that famous Amphitrite rears. I know Poseidon wants to do me harm'' (5.421-423).
Fate In The Odyssey Essay
2542 Words | 11 PagesOdysseus seems to have brought his misfortune onto himself as in the case of his encounter with the Cyclopes. He makes the foolhardy decision to tell Polyphemos his name and setting Poseidon ,and Fate in a certain sense, on a course for vengeance against the man who blinded his son - “Hear me, Poseidon who circle the earth, dark-haired. If truly I am your son, and you acknowledge yourself as my father, grant that Odysseus, sacker of cities, son of Laertes, who makes his home in Ithaka, may never reach that home; but if it is decided that he shall see his own people, and come home to his strong-founded house and to his own country, let him come late, in bad case, with the loss of all his companions, in someone else’s ship, and find troubles in his
Theme Of Hubris In The Odyssey
728 Words | 3 PagesOdysseus believes that defeating these vile beasts is doable, “Deadly Charybdis–can’t I possibly cut and run from her” (Homer 12.124). Odysseus thinks that after getting past Polyphemus, he can get past any other divine or godly being even when many of his men died. Odysseus continues to let these past events inflate his hubris which then dictates his thoughts, decisions, and
Goddesses In The Odyssey
734 Words | 3 PagesPoseidon’s son Polyphemus, or the cyclops as he’s referred to in the text, is seeking vengeance for Odysseus’ despicable actions towards him. Perhaps, Odysseus’ fatal flaw hubris got him and his men into this situation in the first place. The Cyclops was drunk when Odysseus and his men sharpened a tool and stabbed him in the eye, to escape, Odysseus suggested they hide on the underside of Polyphemus’ sheep. Polyphemus sought the help of his father, “At this he stretched his hands out in his darkness toward the sky of stars, and prayed to Poseidon…”(Homer 12) Due to the fact that Poseidon is the God of the sea, he has a more than ample opportunity to retaliate.
Fate And Free Will In Homer's The Odyssey
1426 Words | 6 PagesReligion is a large part of modern life. It influences our belief system and values, as well as shapes who we are as human beings. However, most individuals decide upon and follow a belief system on a voluntary basis. Imagine not only being forced to follow a belief system, but having this system dominate your every action. This is the case for classic epic heroes, such as Oedipus, Odysseus, and Aeneas.
Disrespecting The Gods In Homer's Odyssey
1204 Words | 5 PagesThe gods are beings capable of bringing misfortune or greatness which is why mortals tend to perform sacrifices in honor of the gods due
Why Is Xenia Important In Ancient Greek Culture
996 Words | 4 PagesDestiny and the gods’ will vanquished these, and their own hardness’” (22.460, 464). Odysseus is in turn helped by Athena. In another instance, Athena helped him during the final battle, by “[Athena] spoiled their shots. One hit the doorpost of the hall, another struck in the door’s thick timbering, still others rang on the stone wall, shivering hafts of ash”(22.282, 285). This shows how with the display of piety one is able to gain the help of the gods.
Odysseus Decisions In Homer's Odyssey
831 Words | 4 PagesIn real life we make our own decisions, and some of those decisions lead to bad outcomes, even though we don’t blame ourselves for many of our mistakes, we are to blame. In Greek Mythology, humans make many important decisions in their life, many of them lead to horrible endings. In the journey of Odysseus, he made many choices throughout his journey that eventually led to the death of all his crew members. In other stories from mythology like the stories of Theseus and Icarus, they made decisions that led them and their loved ones to life threatening situations. Even Zeus once stated “My word, how mortals take the gods to task!
Fate Of Odysseus Free Will In Homer's Odyssey
711 Words | 3 PagesIn book 9, when Odysseus blinds the monster, the cyclops prays to his father Poseidon, and says “ If I am truly thy son and thou art indeed my father, grant that Odysseus the conqueror of Troy-the son of Laertes-whose address is in Ithaca, may never reach his home!”(Homer, 111) It is shown that one of the reasons that Poseidon hates Odysseus is because he blinded his son.
Odysseus Is Not To Blame In Homer's The Odyssey
1273 Words | 6 PagesAfter this near miss, Odysseus commits the biggest blunder of them all: revealing his true identity (Book 9, Lines 558-562). The plan he so cleverly concocted is all for naught, and the name of “Nobody” no longer bears any meaning. This information was truly vital, and without it, Polyphemus was powerless. Now instead he is armed with the name of his attacker, and also with his father, whom we find out is conveniently Poseidon. Polyphemus calls out to his father and asks him to curse Odysseus and his crew saying, “Hear me, Poseidon …
Divine Intervention In The Odyssey Essay
384 Words | 2 PagesOdysseus blinds and taunts the Cyclops Polyphemus, which leads to Polyphemus praying to his father, Poseidon, to curse Odysseus. The curse bestowed upon Odysseus by Poseidon is mentioned in book 9 lines 445-451 of The
Athena Role In The Odyssey
538 Words | 3 PagesAthena-The True Hero of The Odyssey After Odysseus blinds Cyclops Polyphemus, the wrath of his father, Poseidon, falls on him. Odysseus painful journey to Ithaca would have been possible, if it was not for Athena. She takes her plea to Zeus, to save Odysseus. Athena is the true reason that Odysseus succeeds in his journey, because she plays the role of a protector, mentor, and collaborator, as her actions prove this throughout Homer's story. Athena shows her role as Odysseus's protector in Book V. Poseidon brings a hurricane and tsunami, when Odysseus is out at sea, Athena protects him through his ordeal.
More about Fate In The Odyssey Essay
Role Of Fate In The Odyssey
671 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Hero And Zero In The Odyssey
1569 Words | 7 PagesQuotes From The Odyssey
616 Words | 3 PagesTheme Of Loyalty In The Odyssey
1020 Words | 5 PagesFate In The Odyssey Essay
2542 Words | 11 PagesTheme Of Hubris In The Odyssey
728 Words | 3 PagesGoddesses In The Odyssey
734 Words | 3 PagesFate And Free Will In Homer's The Odyssey
1426 Words | 6 PagesDisrespecting The Gods In Homer's Odyssey
1204 Words | 5 PagesWhy Is Xenia Important In Ancient Greek Culture
996 Words | 4 PagesOdysseus Decisions In Homer's Odyssey
831 Words | 4 PagesFate Of Odysseus Free Will In Homer's Odyssey
711 Words | 3 PagesOdysseus Is Not To Blame In Homer's The Odyssey
1273 Words | 6 PagesDivine Intervention In The Odyssey Essay
384 Words | 2 PagesAthena Role In The Odyssey
538 Words | 3 Pages