ipl-logo

The Influences Of The Divine In Homer's Odyssey

1307 Words6 Pages

The Odyssey Final Exam - Written Test

In Greek mythology, the influences of the divine are greatly impactful to the mere mortals they oversee. Written by Homer, the epic poem The Odyssey offers detailed insight into the perilous journey of Odysseus’ homecoming, as well as the involvement of many deities and human characters in the myth. After the Trojan War, Odysseus finds himself and his crew lost at sea with little hope of coming home to Ithaka and his family. As they continue their course in hopes to find Ithaka, they also encounter many immortal beings that will forever impact this odyssey. Throughout The Odyssey, it is evident that the divine harness the ability to both help and hinder common civilians, most notably of these civilians are Odysseus and Telemachus.

The divine intervention in Odysseus’ life displays that godly powers can impact the lives of humans in many different ways. For example, just after Calypso had sent Odysseus off to his journey home, vengeful Poseidon sees him approaching an island and unfortunately for Odysseus the powerful god decides to “give him a rough ride in, and will” (V, 300). Poseidon’s godly powers called for vigorous “Hurricane winds...on which Odysseus’ knees grew slack, his heart/ sickened” (V,305-308). Out of rage for the pain that …show more content…

This is especially apparent when referring to the lives of Odysseus and Telemachus, and how they have been impacted by the gods. In the life of these two prominent figures, they have experienced the pain but also the gift of patronage from various deities. Odysseus on the bad side of Poseidon, also leads to his son to be hurt. But both Telemachus and Odysseus are not only backed by Athena, but other ambrosial beings as well throughout the myths. In the end, it is assumed that from these two character’s experience that there is no definite way a god can impact someone’s

Show More
Related

  • Telemachus Life In Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

    690 Words  | 3 Pages

    Telemachus’ life serves as the gateway to Odysseus’ legacy. The egocentric nature in which Telemachus describes Odysseus’ assumed fate strengthens the idea that Odysseus’ legacy lies in Telemachus’ life on earth. The idea of “great fame for years to come” is reflected through Telemachus’ life because Telemachus is both the physical and the figurative link between Odysseus and the mortal, living world (Ody. I.279). Telemachus’ mention of the gods’ “vengeance” by killing Odysseus elaborates on a more general juxtaposition – the gods, who are immortal, control humans’ mortality (Ody. 272). However, the gods don’t have control over a legacy, as storytelling is a human activity.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Natural Phenomenon In Homer's Odyssey

    1459 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Odyssey interprets the science behind natural phenomenons and portrays it as an act from the gods. As Odysseus is trying to make his way back home, he combats these dilemmas in the ocean that interfere and end up delaying his journey. It seems as if every time Odysseus steps a foot into a body of water, there is always an occurrence that almost kills him. Poseidon, god of the sea, who has vowed retribution on Odysseus and will try everything he can to make him suffer.

    Read More

  • Interaction Between Humans And The Gods In Homer's Odyssey

    106 Words  | 1 Pages

    Throughout the story of Odysseus’s journey told by Homer, there are many defining examples of interaction between humans and their gods. The gods primarily interact with humans by either siding with or against them. The gods would often side with humans since they wanted to help them such as Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, helping Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, whereas the gods seeking revenge such as Poseidon, who sought revenge on Odysseus for slaying his son Polyphemus, would turn against them. While actual interaction between gods and humans seems to be a rather risible idea, there was much guidance given to humans by the gods throughout the Odyssey.

    Read More

  • The Gods Role In Homer's The Odyssey

    614 Words  | 3 Pages

    An example of this being Poisiden delaying Odysses's boat journey with challenges/weather for blinding his son, the cyclops, and then bragging about how great he was. I personally do not think that the Gods control humans, but they do interfere and influence their behavior-more or less making a moral code if you will. I think this because Humans choose their behavior and actions, yet they are guided into making

    Read More

  • Is Odysseus A Hero

    500 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: The Odyssey

    1474 Words  | 6 Pages

    Odyssey Argumentative Essay The Odyssey is an epic by Homer. It is a story about Odysseus journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. All the Greek heroes had returned home after the Trojan War except for Odysseus who was an important hero in Ithaca. Odysseus was absent in his son’s life and Telemachus decided that, it was time to find his father and bring him back home to his wife Penelope.

    Read More

  • Disrespecting The Gods In Homer's Odyssey

    1204 Words  | 5 Pages

    In Homer’s Odyssey, gods and other supernatural beings dominated every aspect of mortal life. All living things and phenomena that occur in the world can be traced back to the gods. Seeing as how gods are responsible for the lives of mortals and the state of the natural world, performing deeds that anger the gods would prove to be disastrous while performing deeds that please the gods would prove to be beneficial. Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War was took ten years due to angering gods like Poseidon and Helios. However, it was through Athena’s aid that he was able to make it back home.

    Read More

  • Odysseus Crew In The Odyssey

    1764 Words  | 8 Pages

    In the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.

    Read More

  • Divine Intervention In The Odyssey Essay

    384 Words  | 2 Pages

    Should destiny intend that he shall see his roof again among his family in his father land, far be that day, and dark the years between. Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home. " The theme of divine intervention is shown as Poseidon hinders Odysseus on his way to Ithaca by the curse, which made it years before Odysseus returns home whereas he would have returned in a matter of days, had Aeolus helped Odysseus again, but he didn't because he believed "their voyage has been cursed by the gods" (Homer 16). Homer demonstrates Athena's divine intervention through her providence towards Odysseus. Athena aids Odysseus multiple times throughout The Odyssey, an example of this is when she disguises Odysseus as a beggar in book 17 of The Odyssey to protect him from the suitors.

    Read More

  • The Gods And Mortals In Homer's The Odyssey

    610 Words  | 3 Pages

    Instead of being perfect omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent gods, they have limited power and influence, and are often driven by humanistic emotions and desires. While the gods do show concern over some mortals, they don’t make decisions solely concerning the wellbeing or interests of the humans, but instead, like the humans themselves, usually act with their own interests at heart. Athena and Poseidon both acts in accordance to their desires and emotions, and have a biased view on particular humans. Unlike the perfect deities we have in mind when we think of the divine, Greek gods are just immortal beings who are just as fallible and imperfect as the humans they preside

    Read More

  • Odysseus Character Development

    1042 Words  | 5 Pages

    This character is brought to light using several incidents and events that help to analyze and interpret the ancient Greek world and the values surrounding them. Each episode supports and allows for the development of Odysseus’ character and acknowledges the effects of these features. Through these specific incidents, the reader uncovers the quality of Odysseus and how his characteristics relate to those praised by Greeks and those that were criticized. Persistent components of Odysseus’ character include cleverness and pride, while major themes that are reiterated are Greek ideals and the struggle to reach home. Conclusively, definitive occasions in “The Odyssey” establish and expand upon the character of Odysseus and how it impacts himself and

    Read More

  • Divine Intervention In The Odyssey

    838 Words  | 4 Pages

    Man is Nothing Without the Gods For any proper work of epic poetry, divine intervention is required. This is why in Ancient Greece protection and assistance Drôme the gods is crucial. The Greek gods play a large role in the lives of all Greek citizens, whether they are helping them or hurting them. Throughout novels such as, “The Odyssey,” the characters do their best to appease the gods since they know that their lives heavily depended on it. The life of Odysseus is no exception to this matter, especially with the meddling of Aeolus, guardian of the winds, Athena, goddess of war, wisdom, and cleverness, and Circe, enchantress and goddess of magic.

    Read More

  • Greek Gods And Goddesses In Homer's Odyssey

    1203 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the epic poem The Odyssey, Homer portrays Greek gods and goddesses as possessing human qualities and faults. Through their actions and emotions, Homer emphasizes the detrimental effects of lust, envy, wrath, and greed in ancient Grecian society. He also never fails to remind readers of the importance of respect for holy figures because of their powerful abilities to create chaos and wonder". Homer wants to prove that gods and humans share a variety of traits, and the only difference is that god don’t allow these flaws negatively to impact their society. To help further his argument, we can compare Greek gods and goddesses to that of Christianity.

    Read More

  • Role Of Divine Intervention In The Odyssey

    1197 Words  | 5 Pages

    Divine intervention, or the role of the gods, plays a predominant role in the development of the eventual fate of the main characters; Odysseus, his son, Telemachus and his wife, Penelope. Homer is able to effectively incorporate the employment of divine forces as facilitators in destiny, as well as efficiently engage the readers through his vivid description of the various predicaments faced by Odysseus. Divine intervention is a phenomenon widely used in mythological epics. The gods play protagonistic and antagonistic roles; they essentially toy with the character until his fate is evident. Homer utilizes this right from the very beginning; we see Athena coming to the aid of Odysseus when Zeus refuses to have sympathy for him due to the fact that most heroes blame the Gods for their doom;

    Read More

  • The Gods In The Odyssey

    291 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Odyssey consists of twenty-four books, and is a sequel to the Iliad. The story of the Odyssey starts when Troy has been destroyed and the Trojan War has come to an end. It creates a new epic with the adventure story of the Greek hero Odysseus who is struggling to go back to his home after the Trojan War. His journey combines hopes and hopelessness, loyalty and disloyalty, hospitality, vengeance, intelligence, experience, and what it means to be mortals and to be gods. During his entire journey, the gods play an important role.

    Read More

More about The Influences Of The Divine In Homer's Odyssey

Open Document